Attack Helicopter Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) (Above 8 tons (Above 16,000 lbs), Below 8 tons (Above 16,000 lbs)), By Product Type (Single-engine, Twin-engine) By Military Platform (Army, Navy, Air Force) And Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The attack helicopter market has experienced continuous growth in the base year and is anticipated to experience a considerable growth rate during the forecasted period. Market growth is accredited to a year-on-year increment in defense spending to strengthen & modernize the armed forces worldwide due to changes in national & homeland security scenarios and rising geopolitical tensions between countries. Furthermore, the countries' aging fleet modernization and the rise of the regional and domestic manufacturers are expected to fuel the market growth. For instance, South Korea has anticipated the procurement of 36 Apache Helicopters from Boeing to bolster its existing Apache rotorcraft fleet and the purchase of Bell Textron's Viper attack helicopters. As per the 2016 U.K.-U.S.A. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract, the U.S. Army will be delivering the 50 Boeing Apache AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter & 3 Longbow Crew Trainers to the British Royal Army. In November 2020, the first pair of Boeing Apache AH-64E rotorcrafts, which can team up with UAVs, had been delivered through Royal Air Force's C-17 Globemaster III.

The advent of 3D printing in the attack helicopter market facilitated the versatility of quick designing and developing the attack rotorcraft and rapid changes in the internal components & features than conventional practices such as computerized numerical control (CNC) cutting and mold manufacturing. With traditional manufacturing methodologies, such versatility in the design of the attack helicopters was impossible. One of these factors is anticipated to fuel the growth in the market during the forecast period. The key market players are focusing on manufacturing cost reduction and improvised delivery rate by partnering with domestic companies. For instance, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL) and the Boeing Company have formalized a joint venture, Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL), to manufacture Apache helicopters in India.

Key Market Driver -

• Rising emphasis on fleet modernization & diversification of the attack helicopters in the countries. • Rising defense expenditure and procurement plans on year-on-year basis in the developed and developing countries to boost growth • The partnership between global & domestic market players for manufacturing cost reduction and improvised delivery rate & time.

Key Market Restraint -

• Stringent design standards for aircraft component to restrict the market growth • High cost involvement in the maintenance

Market Segmentation:

The attack helicopter market is segmented into below 8 metric tons (below 16,000 lbs) and above 8 metric tons (above 16,000 lbs) based on maximum take-off weight (MTOW). The above 8 tons segment is anticipated to fuel the market growth with a significant CAGR, as the rise in the demand of above 8 tons MOTW attack helicopters due to the increment in the capacity of fuel capacity, weapons hardpoints such as Kamov Ka-50 Black Shark & Ka-52 Alligator, Bell AH1Z Viper, Mil Mi-28 & Mi-35M Hind E, and Boeing Apache AH-64E and among others. In January 2020, the U.S. Army Contracting Command had awarded the multi-year contract for the production and remanufacturing of Apache AH-64E to the Boeing Group. Based on the product type of the attack helicopter, the market is bifurcated into single-engine and twin-engine. The market is trifurcated into army, navy, and air force on the basis of the military platform. Based on region/geography, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

Key Players Covered:

The major companies included in the global attack helicopter market report are the Boeing Company (the U.S.), Lockheed Martin Corporation (the U.S.), Denel Aeronautics (South Africa), Airbus SE (France), Bell Textron Inc. (the U.S.), MD Helicopters Inc. (the U.S.), Leonardo SpA (Italy), Russian Helicopters – Rostec (Russian Federation), Turkish Aerospace Industries (Turkey), Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd. (India), and among others.

Key Insights

• Number of attack rotorcrafts delivered during 2016-2019


• Modernization & remanufacturing of the attack helicopter


• Impact of COVID-19 on the defense aviation industry


• Government defense spending by country

Regional Analysis:

The attack helicopter market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America. North America has witnessed a significant growth of the market share attributed to defense aviation manufacturers' presence, technological innovations, and expenditure for new & advanced attack helicopters. Moreover, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has spent a significant amount on the procurement of advanced, innovative solutions for the up-gradation of its air dominance capability.  For instance, in August 2020, United States Army's Apache has started receiving version 6 software & hardware upgrades, enabling the rotorcraft with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) & maritime targeting capabilities and efficient reconnaissance operations.

The European market has been the second-largest market by share due to the European countries' emphasis on the modernization and capability up-gradation of the existing fleets of the attack helicopter and the procurement of new & advanced attack helicopters.

The Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region in the market, attributable to the highest demand for attack helicopters owing to the factors such as cross-border tensions, terrorism, sovereignty violations, and the increment in armed conflicts, the restructuring of the regional armed forces. The high adoption rate of the advanced stealth technology, the demand for tactical advantage & air superiority upgradations & modernizations are anticipated to fuel the attack helicopter market's market growth.

The Middle East & Africa region has also witnessed significant growth in the attack helicopter market share due to the year-on-year increment in the defense expenditure to procure defense hardware such as attack helicopters such as the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and others.

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Segmentation

Attack Helicopter Market Industry Developments

• In June 2020, Boeing has signed a contract with Morocco to supply 24 of Apache AH-64 helicopters under US Army foreign military sales (FMS)contracts.


• In January 2020, Airbus has completed the delivery of 18 Tiger HAD attack helicopters under a contract with Spain for its army aviation wing which has higher engine power than its predecessor and  higher crashworthiness.


• In August 2020, the serial production of the upgraded Mil Mi-35P attack helicopter has been launched by the Russian Helicopter holding company.