Attack Helicopter Market

Global Attack Helicopter Market:

The global attack helicopter market size reached USD 7.5 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 11.4 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.5% during 2025-2033. The increasing defense budgets by various governments to enhance military capabilities are stimulating the market.

Attack Helicopter Market Analysis:

• Major Market Drivers: The growing need for helicopters with better technology for precision targeting and quick response in combat is propelling the market.
• Key Market Trends: The continuous advancements in helicopter design, such as improved speed and firepower are acting as significant growth-inducing factors.
• Competitive Landscape: Some of the major market companies include Airbus SE, Bell Textron Inc. (Textron Inc.), Denel Aeronautics (Denel SOC Ltd.), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, JSC Rosoboronexport (Rostec), Leonardo S.p.A., Lockheed Martin Corporation, and The Boeing Company, among many others.
• Geographical Trends: North America exhibits a clear dominance in the market due to strong defense spending, advanced military technology, and significant investments in upgrading and expanding its helicopter fleets for combat operations.
• Challenges and Opportunities: The high operational costs are hindering the market. However, advancements in fuel efficiency, maintenance technologies, and incorporating cost-effective, autonomous systems will continue to strengthen the market over the forecast period.

Attack Helicopter Market Trends:

Rising Defense Modernization Efforts Globally

Countries are increasingly focusing on upgrading their military assets, which has led to a growing demand for advanced attack helicopters. Moreover, these helicopters provide enhanced combat readiness and agility, which allows nations to strengthen their defense capabilities against evolving threats and ensure preparedness in multi-domain operations. This is driving attack helicopter market growth. For instance, in March 2024, the Indian Army established its first Apache AH-64E attack helicopter squadron at Nagtalao Army Base. This development highlights India's growing investment in advanced combat helicopters within the global market.

Increased Demand for Multi-Role Combat Capabilities

The need for versatile combat helicopters has surged as modern warfare demands platforms capable of performing various roles, from close air support to reconnaissance. In addition, attack helicopters that can be configured for multiple mission types are becoming essential to address the complex operational requirements of contemporary military engagements. For instance, in October 2024, India's LCH Prachand, a stealth multi-role light combat helicopter built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), announced its participation in the Indian Air Force's 92nd-anniversary event in Chennai. This will positively impact on the attack helicopter market growth.

Advancements in Helicopter Digital Architecture

Technological advancements in digital systems are significantly transforming attack helicopters. In contrast, these innovations enable superior connectivity, sensor integration, and enhanced situational awareness, thereby allowing for better mission planning and execution. Furthermore, the shift towards digital architecture is making helicopters more efficient, capable of handling complex battle environments and reducing pilot workload. For instance, in June 2024, Leonardo unveiled the AW249 Fenice, the successor to the A129 Mangusta, at the Eurosatory exhibition. This next-gen combat helicopter boasts enhanced digital architecture, multi-domain operations capability, and significant improvements in speed, range, and firepower.

Global Attack Helicopter Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with the market forecast at the global, regional, and country levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product type and end use.

Breakup by Product Type:

• Single-Engine
• Twin-Engine
   

Single-engine holds the largest attack helicopter market share

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type. This includes single-engine and twin-engine. According to the report, single-engine represented the largest market segmentation.

Single-engine exhibits a clear dominance in the market due to their efficiency and maneuverability. For instance, the T129 ATAK helicopter showcases the increasing preference for single-engine models in modern military operations.

Breakup by End Use:

• Army 
• Navy
• Air Force
   

Army currently holds the largest attack helicopter market share

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the end use. This includes army, navy, and air force. According to the report, army represented the largest market segmentation.

The army leads the market, which is driven by its focus on advanced combat capabilities. For example, the U.S. Army's AH-64 Apache helicopters remain a key asset, with ongoing upgrades enhancing their effectiveness in modern warfare scenarios.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

North America currently dominates the market

The market outlook report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America accounted for the largest attack helicopter market share. 

North America dominates the attack helicopter market size due to its advanced defense capabilities and high military spending. In addition, the U.S. plays a significant role with major manufacturers like Boeing and Bell Helicopter driving innovations. Furthermore, the Boeing AH-64 Apache is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and versatile attack helicopters globally. Also, its latest version, the AH-64E, continues to be a critical asset for U.S. forces, thereby enhancing battlefield performance through upgraded avionics and weapon systems.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Detailed profiles of all market companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the market include:

• Airbus SE
• Bell Textron Inc. (Textron Inc.)
• Denel Aeronautics (Denel SOC Ltd.)
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
• JSC Rosoboronexport (Rostec)
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• The Boeing Company
   

(Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.)

Attack Helicopter Market Recent Developments:

• October 2024: India's LCH Prachand, a stealth multi-role light combat helicopter built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), announced its participation in the Indian Air Force's 92nd-anniversary event in Chennai.
• October 2024: Boeing conducted the first flight of Thailand's AH-6 Little Bird light attack helicopter, part of an eight-unit order for the Royal Thai Army.
• June 2024: Leonardo unveiled the AW249 Fenice, the successor to the A129 Mangusta, at the Eurosatory exhibition. This next-gen combat helicopter boasts enhanced digital architecture, multi-domain operations capability, and significant improvements in speed, range, and firepower.

Attack Helicopter Market Report Scope:

Key Questions Answered in This Report

• How has the global attack helicopter market performed so far, and how will it perform in the coming years? 
• What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the global attack helicopter market? 
• What are the key regional markets? 
• Which countries represent the most attractive attack helicopter markets? 
• What is the breakup of the market based on the product type? 
• What is the breakup of the market based on the end use?
• What is the competitive structure of the global attack helicopter market? 
• Who are the key players/companies in the global attack helicopter market? 

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC's industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the attack helicopter market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global attack helicopter market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the attack helicopter industry and its attractiveness.
• The competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides insight into the current positions of key players in the market.