Industry Overview
The modern battlefield demands that individual soldiers carry more than just weapons. Today’s warfighter is integrated, networked, condition-aware and protected. The soldier systems sector has expanded accordingly: from helmets and body armour to fully wearable kits linked to command and control, drones, sensors and communications systems. MRFR’s review demonstrates that the global soldier systems market was valued at USD 12.76 billion in 2022, and is expected to rise to USD 19.7 billion by 2032—indicating a CAGR of 4.44% in the 2024-2032 span.

Market Outlook
The market outlook for protective and personal equipment within soldier systems is especially compelling. The Personal Equipment segment alone (which includes helmets, vests, load-carriage systems, wearable sensors) was pegged at USD 4.0 billion in 2023 and is projected to hit USD 5.85 billion by 2032. Meanwhile, the Protective Gear segment (including body armour, shields, ballistic fabrics) is forecasted from USD 1.83 billion in 2023 rising to USD 2.8 billion by 2032. These trends reflect an elevated emphasis on soldier survivability, mobility and adaptability across conventional, asymmetric and hybrid warfare environments. Investments in wearable technology, advanced materials and soldier comfort are boosting demand for the protective subset.

Key Players
Major defence and technology firms are active in this domain, focusing heavily on R&D, materials innovation, integration and modularity. Among them: Rheinmetall AG, Thales Group, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Elbit Systems Ltd., SAAB AB, Leonardo S.p.A., General Dynamics Corporation, BAE Systems plc and others. Many of these companies are expanding their wearable sensor, ballistic fabric and network-linkage capabilities to differentiate in the market.

Segmentation Growth
Zooming into segmentation:

  • Product Type: As above, Personal Equipment and Protective Gear are two key growth areas.
  • Technology: The advance of Wearable Technology (e.g., smart textiles, exoskeletons), Communication Systems (secure soldier-to-soldier and soldier-to-C2 links) and Advanced Materials (lightweight armour, high strength fabrics) is enabling new capabilities. These technology segments are becoming increasingly critical in soldier systems deployments.
  • End User: While traditional military forces remain the largest market, special operations forces, law enforcement and civil defence agencies are progressively adopting advanced equipment, creating incremental growth opportunities.
  • Regional: Growth is strongest in North America, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. The APAC region’s rise is especially relevant for protective and personal equipment segments because emerging military and paramilitary forces are modernising. For instance, the APAC market was valued at USD 2.8 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to USD 4.2 billion by 2032.

Conclusion
While the soldier systems market is multi-faceted, the protective and personal equipment segments present a compelling niche for growth. Manufacturers and technology providers who invest in advanced materials, wearable sensors, modular comfort systems and integrated communication will stand out. For PR and industry communications, emphasising how these systems enhance soldier readiness, safety and interoperability will resonate strongly. In short: the battle-ready soldier of tomorrow depends as much on what he (or she) wears and carries as on what they fire.