The global ammunition market is currently shaped by two key factors: the war in Ukraine and the urgency for increased production. The conflict has dramatically heightened ammunition consumption, revealing that Western nations were unprepared for high-intensity warfare against peer adversaries. In particular, European countries discovered they lacked sufficient stockpiles, falling far short of NATO’s 30-day minimum requirement. As a result, governments are now revising their planning to maintain larger reserves, ensuring they are better equipped for sustained conflict scenarios.
This realization has exposed weaknesses in both stockpiles and industrial capacity, as defence production in recent decades had been scaled back to minimal levels, sufficient only for peacetime needs. The war has forced a shift in priorities, driving demand for greater capacity and resilience. Ammunition manufacturers are now under pressure to ramp up production quickly, but creating new production lines typically requires one to three years. To bridge the gap, strategies include acquiring underutilized lines and strengthening supply chains by investing in smaller suppliers.
While demand is strong and expected to remain so in the medium to long term, uncertainty surrounds what will happen once the war in Ukraine ends. Industry leaders are urged to pursue sustainable production models that balance immediate needs with long-term viability, focusing on consistent output rather than short-lived spikes. At the same time, competition is expected to intensify, particularly in Europe, where multiple countries are striving for national autonomy in ammunition production. The fragmented nature of the market raises questions about overcapacity and competitiveness in the years ahead.
Adding to these challenges are global trade tensions and tariffs, which disrupt supply chains, increase costs, and threaten economic stability. The United States, as the world’s largest economy, plays a pivotal role in this dynamic, and concerns have been raised about the impact of protectionist policies. With new tariffs expected to take effect from mid-2025, their consequences will likely ripple across Europe and beyond. These developments highlight how both geopolitical conflicts and economic policies are converging to reshape the global ammunition market.
Our study, "Medium & Large Calibre Military Ammunition - Market and Technology Forecast to 2033" explores how conventional, unguided medium and large calibre ammunition are being procured and how the war in Ukraine is reshaping the market to its full extent. The volume and the value of the market is such, that it offers significant opportunities to new entrants and well-established manufacturers that want to further expand their market share. Even though the war in Ukraine might come to an end in the near-future, the security considerations and the need to refill stockpiles is such that it will provide a strong demand for the years to come.
The study provides in-depth insights procurement opportunities, mapping out the scope, scale, and timelines of opportunities worldwide. It also offers a solid understanding of the current situation in the medium and large calibre ammunition business landscape and what should be expected for the future.
Covered in this study
The market is segmented by Region and Calibre of the ammunition.
Region
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Report Code: | MF252862 |
Published: | August 29, 2025 |
Pages: | 174 (A4) |