Small-caliber Ammunition Market

Increasing Defense Expenditure: Top Driving Engine of Small-caliber Ammunition Market

The incidence of issues around the world related to terrorism, wars, and armed conflict have created a continuing demand for ammunition, globally.  This has resulted in the recent global trend of increasing defense budgets by countries around the world, with the intention of boosting military strength, modernizing the armed forces, and procurement of modern equipment.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), there has been a 2.6% rise in military expenditure around the world, for security and development interests. This is likely to have a direct impact on the demand for ammunition, thus driving the growth of the small-caliber ammunition market.

The global market for small-caliber ammunition reached ~US$ 5 billion in 2018, and its applications in the military industry accounted for ~two-third revenue share of the market. This trend is unlikely to change during the forecast period, even as the rate of growth for this period over the forecast duration is expected to be 4.5%.

The modernization of defense programs and upgrading & replacement of outdated equipment to incorporate technologically-advanced systems is important on the end use level, which is a major driver behind the increased demand for ammunition in the global market. Regional instability and conflicts in pockets around the world, especially in Asia Pacific, are likely to propel the growth of the small-caliber ammunition industry in the coming years.

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Guns for Sports and Hunting Activities Gaining Ground

The increasing use of guns in the commercial sector for both, hunting and sports has continued to fuel their demand steadily, globally. The use of firearms in the commercial sector also includes shooting sports using a variety of rifles and handguns. With a variety of shooting sport activities witnessing increasing popularity, the use of small-caliber guns has been gaining traction, which, in turn, has also encouraged the growth of the global small-caliber ammunition market with major players manufacturing specialized products for sports.

The rise in the use of small-caliber ammunition and firearms in hunting activities is mainly attributed to their accuracy, and manufacturers in the small-caliber ammunition landscape are launching innovative product to target this sector. For instance: Hornady Manufacturing Company, a prominent player in the small-caliber ammunition market, in 2018, announced the launch of its Precision Hunter line of ammunition, marketed to have the highest levels of accuracy and performance uniformity, for diverse hunting needs.

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Public Safety Concerns to Positively Influence Small-caliber Ammunition Market Growth

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 464,000 deaths were caused by homicide in the year 2017, worldwide. Public safety concerns due to the rise in crime rates and homicides around the world is a very significant underlying trend that is influencing the growth of the small-caliber ammunitions market. 

Small-caliber firearms, due to their convenience, continue to be the weapons of choice, including handguns and rifles for law enforcement agencies around the world. This widespread adoption of small-caliber firearms, has, in turn, had a positive impact on the growth of the small-caliber ammunition market.

Law enforcement held the second-highest share of the small-caliber ammunition market as of 2018, and this trend is likely to continue for the duration of the forecast period.

Full Metal Jacket Ammunition to Remain Popular Choice

Among the common options for small-caliber ammunition, full metal jacket ammunition continues to remain widespread, as these are manufactured for most types of rifle and handgun cartridges. Their reliability in the feeding process, effectiveness, and their main attribute of less fouling in the barrel, improving accuracy and smoothness, makes them a popular choice in small-caliber ammunition.

As of 2018, full metal jacket ammunition held more than half the global market share, and this trend is likely to continue through the forecast period from 2019 to 2027, with tracer and incendiary ammunition flowing closely.

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Competitive Analysis of the Landscape

The landscape of the small-caliber ammunition market is fairly fragmented, with well-established and prominent players slowly being joined by emerging market players who occupy ~30% of the global market share. Some of the prominent players include - Northrop Grumman Corporation, Nammo AS, and General Dynamics Corporation, among others.

There has been a spurt of innovation in the small-caliber ammunition market in recent years, with developments made by companies to secure their position in the market landscape. These developments include new product innovations, acquisitions, and investments to expand portfolio and geographical presence. Some of these key developments include:

• Fiocchi Munizioni S.P.A, a leader in small-caliber ammunition, offering a wide range of products across applications, in 2019, announced the launch of 7 new hunting shotgun cartridges. This range includes 12, 20, and 410 gauge shotgun cartridges, designed for hunting. This news comes ahead of the hunting season in 2019, giving the company an edge over its competitors.
• Hornady Manufacturing Company, in 2018, announced the 224 Valkyrie with new 88gr ELD® Match bullet, to deliver highest-in-class ballistic co-efficients.
• Northrop Grumman Corporation, a leading global security company, in 2018, announced the acquisition of Orbital ATK Inc., a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies. This is set to establish a strong position for Northrop Grumman Corporation in the defense industry.
• Nammo A.S., an international aerospace and defense company, in 2019, announced its acquisition of MAC LLC, a manufacturer of lightweight polymer cartridge cases for small- and medium-caliber ammunition.
• Nammo A.S. in 2019, also announced a collaboration with Boeing, a major player in precision guided munitions, to produce the next generation of extended range artillery projectiles. These two developments will strengthen the position of Nammo A.S. in the global ammunition market.

Analysts’ POV

Authors of the study on small-caliber ammunition estimate that, during the forecast period of 2019-2027, the market is likely to grow at a CAGR of 4.5%. The pervasive influence of technology is expected to have a big impact on the market, with manufacturers looking into technological solutions and collaborations for product innovation, to capitalize on this trend.

For stakeholders, success in the small-caliber ammunition market is likely to depend on expansion into international markets and consolidating their presence in the landscape. Market players will have to adapt to the evolving landscape by collaborating with technology and defense solution providers, and aligning their strategies, to meet the needs of various end users of small-caliber ammunition, globally.