The military AR market will account for $1.8 billion by the end of 2025, according to a new report by The Insight Partners, escalating at a CAGR of 17.4% between 2018 and 2025, from $512 million in 2017.
The growth of the military AR market is heavily driven by an increase in demand for situational awareness technologies and hands-free navigation. AR systems have numerous advantages in the battlefield, providing the wearer with vital information related to their surroundings, locating positions and identifying friend or foe.
Defence forces in developed countries are investing substantial amounts in the procurement of AR and development of advanced technology in the field. Countries such as Mexico, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Brazil are also financing considerable amounts in the procurement of technologies including AR systems for combat operations.
The Naval Research Laboratory’s second-generation BARS backpack. Image: Naval Research Laboratory
The US Department of Defence is heavily investing in AR systems to equip its armed forces with the means to navigate without a hand-held GPS locator. The Advanced Information Technology of Naval Research Laboratory, in collaboration with Columbia University, is developing Battlefield AR Systems (BARS) for armed forces during combat operation. The key aim of BARS is to provide the soldiers with enhanced situational awareness.
In 2017, North America led the market for military AR, capturing almost 70% of the entire market. The major factor boosting the market in North America is the significant investments from the US Department of Defence in innovation, development and manufacturing of robust technologies for its armed forces and international allies, fuelling the market for military AR in the North America region.
Canada and Mexico, on the other hand, exhibit fair procurement strategies of various defence products, leading the region to grow over the years. The technological giants and emerging companies in the US such as Google, Honeywell International, Applied Research Associates, Six15 Technologies and Osterhout Design Group among others are investing substantial time and amounts for developing battlefield AR.
