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Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing in the UK - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2025-2029)

Nina Koefler Nina Koefler London, United Kingdom Last Updated: July 2025 SIC UK-C252

Revenue

£25.6bn

2025-26

£26.8bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£X.Xbn

Employees

158k

Businesses

1,915

Wages

£X.Xbn

Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing in the UK industry analysis

The majority of demand for weapons and ammunition manufactured by European companies comes from the European defence sector and allied militaries like the US. Domestic and international defence budgets are the primary drivers of revenue, typically expanding during geopolitical tension and conflict. Yet, the industry faces intense global competition from US manufacturers, which produce the lion's share of ammunition and weapons globally. Imports have climbed strongly in recent years, totalling €2.6 billion in 2022, as the Russia-Ukraine conflict encouraged a flood of US weapons and ammunition imports to assist Ukraine with the war effort.

Trends and Insights

  • US imports threaten revenue prospects. The US dominates industry imports because of its competitive advantage in weapons manufacturing. The CEOs of Airbus SE and the Sweden-based Saab AB called on European governments to rely less on US weapon imports.
  • Steep tariff hikes will raise costs for European weapon and ammunition exporters. Products most affected could include ammunition components, like brass casings, copper, lead, and steel, finished cartridges and projectiles, which rely heavily on global supply chains and imported raw materials.
  • Manufacturers primarily compete on price and quality. They also compete against each other on product range and compatibility with existing weapon systems. To remain competitive, weapons manufacturers continuously adapt their products to the latest technology and strategic needs.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report

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What is the market size of the Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

The market size of the Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is £25.6bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

There are 1,915 businesses in the Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.3 % between 2020 and 2025.

Has the Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 2.6 % between 2020 and 2025.

What is the forecast growth of the Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What does the Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom include?

Heavy-arms weapons & ammunition and Small-arm weapons & ammunition are part of the Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom.

How competitive is the Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom.

Everything you need in one report

  • Reliable market estimates from 2015-2030
  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
  • Powerful SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces and risk management frameworks
  • Online membership platform with PDF, Word, Excel and PPT exports

Table of Contents

External Environment

Highlights

Trends
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key Takeaways

Manufacturers must abide by export laws and International Arms Control Treaties. Many European governments have signed up to various international arms control treaties like the Arms Trade Treaty, which influences export decisions and reporting obligations.

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External Drivers

Analysis

What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing in the UK industry?

Financial Benchmarks

Highlights

Trends
  • Profit Margin
  • Average Wage
  • Largest Cost

Key Takeaways

Long-term contracts and relationships help stabilise profitability. Many European-based manufacturers are well-established institutions with a long history of fulfilling contracts for their national defence industry and other international governments.

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Cost Structure

Charts
  • Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
  • Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
    • Marketing
    • Depreciation
    • Profit
    • Purchases
    • Wages
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Other
Analysis

What trends impact cost in the Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing in the UK industry?


Key Ratios

Data tables
  • IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
  • Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
  • Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
  • Average Wage (2015-2030)

Country Benchmarks

European Leaders & Laggards

Data Tables

Top and bottom five countries listed for each:

  • Revenue Growth (2025)
  • Business Growth (2025)
  • Job Growth (2025)

European Country Performance

Data Tables

Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:

  • IVA/Revenue (2025)
  • Imports/Demand (2025)
  • Exports/Revenue (2025)
  • Revenue per Employee (2025)
  • Wages/Revenue (2025)
  • Employees per Establishment (2025)
  • Average Wage (2025)

Structural Comparison

Data Tables

Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe

  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power
  • Volatility
  • Capital Intensity
  • Innovation
  • Life Cycle

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2015-2030)
  • IVA (2015-2030)
  • Establishments (2015-2030)
  • Enterprises (2015-2030)
  • Employment (2015-2030)
  • Exports (2015-2030)
  • Imports (2015-2030)
  • Wages (2015-2030)

Methodology

Where does IBISWorld source its data?

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