The global CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives) defense market size was valued at USD 17.93 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 19.06 billion in 2024 to USD 29.96 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period.

The emergence of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) has significantly enhanced disaster response capabilities within homeland operations. These advanced platforms offer improved situational awareness through remote air monitoring, allowing civil authorities to make safer and more informed decisions during emergencies. In the United States, the Department of Defense (DoD) has integrated UAV technology into the National Guard's Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams, equipping them with tools to detect and identify chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN), and hazardous materials (HAZMAT). Despite the global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on the defense industry has been limited, as nations have continued to prioritize defense spending in response to growing border security concerns and ongoing military modernization efforts.

North America led the market in 2023 with a market share of 36.42%, attributed to high military budgets and stringent safety measures.

Key Companies Profiled

  • Argon Electronics (U.K.)

  • Avon Protection Plc (U.K.)

  • Battelle (U.S.)

  • Blucher GmbH (U.S.)

  • Teledyne FLIR Systems, Inc. (U.S.)

  • Nexter NBC Sys (Germany)

  • Karcher Futuretech GmbH (Germany)

  • Murtech, Inc. (U.S.)

  • HDT Global (U.S.)

  • Saab AB (Sweden)

  • CQC (U.K.)

  • Leidos Holding Plc (U.S.)

  • QinetiQ (U.K.)

Information Source

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/cbrne-defense-market-106142 

Segment Insights

By Purpose. The CBRNE defense market is broken down into four key purposes—detection, protection, decontamination, and simulation & training. Detection dominated in 2023 because militaries and security agencies prioritized field‑proven sensors and stand‑off identification systems that deliver rapid, reliable threat warnings in contested environments.

By Application. From an application standpoint, demand splits between military operations and civil & law‑enforcement activities. The military segment commanded the largest share in 2023, fueled by rising global defense spending and the accelerating procurement of unmanned aerial and ground platforms equipped with CBRNE‑detection and mitigation payloads.

Regional Analysis

Geographically, the market spans North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America led the way in 2023—accounting for the highest revenue—thanks to its sizable defense budget, robust homeland‑security initiatives, and early adoption of advanced CBRNE technologies to safeguard personnel and critical infrastructure.

Market Drivers

  • Rising threat of chemical and biological warfare.

  • Increased integration of advanced technologies into CBRNE systems.

  • Growing military and homeland security initiatives worldwide.

Market Restraints

  • Lack of standardized manufacturing practices for CBRNE equipment.

  • Insufficient government investments in R&D for next-generation defense systems.

  • Gaps in situational awareness and prevention strategies during past CBRNE incidents.

Key Industry Development

  • January 2024 – Draper secured a USD 26 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense for enhanced CBRN reconnaissance systems. These systems use sensor-driven algorithms and flight software for autonomous deployment in GPS-denied environments.