Historical chart and dataset showing U.S. military size by year from 1985 to 2020.

The U.S. Army remains the largest branch of the American military, with 449,344 active duty personnel in 2023. While the Army leads in numbers, the newly established Space Force had just 8,879 active duty members, highlighting the evolving nature of modern warfare and the increasing importance of space-based capabilities. Confidence in military remains high Despite fluctuations in force size, public trust in the U.S. military remains strong. In 2024, 61 percent of Americans expressed a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the armed forces, a slight increase from the previous year. While a slightly higher share of Republicans have shown more confidence in the military, trust in the institution remains high across party lines. Global commitments The United States continues to invest heavily in its military capabilities, with defense spending reaching 916.02 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. This substantial budget supports not only domestic defense needs but also enables the U.S. to respond to global crises, as evidenced by the over 40 billion euros in military aid provided to Ukraine following Russia's invasion. The high level of spending, which translates to about 2,220 U.S. dollars per capita.

The US Defense Market is Segmented by Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force) and Type (Fixed-Wing Aircraft, Rotorcraft, Ground Vehicles, Naval Vessels, C4isr, Weapons and Ammunition, Protection and Training Equipment, and Unmanned Systems). The Report Offers Market Size and Forecast for all the Above Segments in Value (USD).

The graph illustrates the number of personnel in each branch of the U.S. Military for the year 2025. The x-axis lists the military branches: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The y-axis represents the number of personnel, ranging from 41,477 to 449,265. Among the branches, the Army has the highest number of personnel with 449,265, followed by the Navy with 333,794 and the Air Force with 317,675. The Marine Corps and Coast Guard have 168,628 and 41,477 personnel, respectively. The data is displayed in a bar graph format, effectively highlighting the distribution of military personnel across the different branches.

This statistic shows the size of the United States military in terms of available aircraft, vehicles and ships in 2017, by type. In March 2017, the U.S. military had 3,476 tactical aircraft.

North America military size for 2020 was 1,467,000, a 0.48% increase from 2019.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>North America military size for 2019 was <strong>1,460,000</strong>, a <strong>0.54% increase</strong> from 2018.</li>
<li>North America military size for 2018 was <strong>1,452,200</strong>, a <strong>1.48% increase</strong> from 2017.</li>
<li>North America military size for 2017 was <strong>1,431,000</strong>, a <strong>1.07% increase</strong> from 2016.</li>
</ul>Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces.

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US Defense Market Size 2025-2029

The US defense market size is forecast to increase by USD 188 billion at a CAGR of 4.6% between 2024 and 2029.

The Defense Market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing demand for advanced unmanned aerial vehicles in the US military. This trend is fueled by the need for enhanced surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision in defense operations. Furthermore, the defense industry is witnessing technological innovation, with advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems. However, market expansion is not without challenges. Regulatory hurdles, including complex certification processes and stringent compliance requirements, impact adoption and increase costs for defense technology providers. Additionally, the defense industry in the US faces a shortage of skilled labor, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity and engineering. One of the most notable trends is the increasing demand for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are becoming increasingly essential for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
This labor crunch can hinder the implementation of new technologies and limit the growth potential of the market. To capitalize on opportunities and navigate these challenges effectively, companies must invest in workforce development and collaborate with educational institutions to build a pipeline of skilled talent. Furthermore, they should prioritize regulatory compliance and seek partnerships with regulatory bodies to streamline certification processes. Another trend is the continuous technological innovation in the defense industry, leading to advancements in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems. By addressing these challenges, defense technology providers can seize market opportunities and maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving defense landscape.

What will be the size of the US Defense Market during the forecast period?

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The global defense market is characterized by dynamic military alliances and evolving military doctrines. Military aid and defense agreements shape the strategic partnerships that underpin these alliances. Combat readiness remains a top priority, with cyber warfare and information warfare increasingly shaping military policy. Image intelligence and security assistance play crucial roles in force structure and supply chain management. Defense reform continues to be a focus, with the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles, hypersonic weapons, and directed energy weapons into military capabilities. FDI investors are drawn to the sector due to its consistent demand for advanced aircraft, helicopters, battle force ships, aircraft carriers, and auxiliary equipment.
Security policy and military intelligence are essential components of modern defense, alongside military training and joint operations. Multi-domain operations, space situational awareness, psychological operations, and open-source intelligence are also key areas of investment. Ballistic missile defense, signals intelligence, and human intelligence remain vital components of defense strategy. Military logistics and strategic partnerships ensure the effective implementation of these capabilities.

How is this market segmented?

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Type

  Manual defense equipment
  Autonomous defense equipment


Platform

  Airborne
  Land
  Naval


End-user

  Military
  Government agencies
  Defense contractors


Geography

  North America

    US

By Type Insights

The manual defense equipment segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The US defense market encompasses a diverse range of manual and advanced technologies, from communications systems and sensors to missiles and rockets, shaping defense strategy and military capabilities. Defense contractors play a pivotal role in the industry's innovation, developing cyber defense solutions, cyber threats countermeasures, and artificial intelligence for defense electronics. Military equipment, including weapons systems and combat aircraft, are essential components of force projection and combat operations. Data security and network security are crucial in the digital age, with defense procurement prioritizing advanced technologies like machine learning and big data analytics for defense research and intelligence surveillance reconnaissance.

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The Manual defense equipment segment was valued at USD 436.50 billion in 2019 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period. Space capabilities,

The US defense market, a significant segment of the global defense industry, is projected to experience robust growth over the forecast period (2025-2033). With a 2025 market size of $625.62 billion and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.91%, the market is poised for substantial expansion. This growth is fueled by several key factors. Firstly, geopolitical instability and rising global tensions are driving increased defense spending by the US government. Secondly, advancements in military technology, particularly in autonomous defense equipment and sophisticated weaponry, are creating lucrative opportunities for defense contractors. Thirdly, a focus on modernizing existing military infrastructure and capabilities contributes to the market’s expansion. Competition among major defense contractors remains intense, with companies like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman vying for contracts and market share. While economic fluctuations could potentially act as a restraint, the long-term outlook for the US defense market remains positive due to persistent geopolitical uncertainties and the ongoing need for technological superiority. The segmentation of the market into manual and autonomous defense equipment reveals a significant shift towards autonomous systems. While manual defense equipment continues to hold a substantial share, the rapidly increasing investment in research and development for autonomous technologies, such as drones and AI-powered weaponry, is expected to accelerate the adoption rate of autonomous defense equipment. Regional analysis reveals that North America, particularly the United States, will continue to dominate the market due to its significant defense budget and technological advancements. However, other regions, notably Europe and the Asia-Pacific, are also projected to exhibit substantial growth, driven by their increasing defense spending and modernization efforts. The competitive landscape is characterized by a mix of established giants and emerging technology companies, leading to continuous innovation and competition in the development and deployment of advanced defense systems.

The US Military Aviation Market is segmented by Sub Aircraft Type (Fixed-Wing Aircraft, Rotorcraft). Key Data Points observed include air passenger traffic, air transport freight, defense spending, military aircraft active fleet, revenue passenger kilometers, high-net worth individuals, and inflation rate.

Throughout the 19th century, the share of military personnel employed by the United States government was below 0.2 percent of the total population in most years. There were noticeable spikes in enlistments and conscriptions during the American Civil War (1861-65), the First World War (1917-18*), and Second World War (1941-45*), as well as smaller increases during the Mexican-American War (1946-48) and the Spanish-American War (1898), but figures were generally much lower than the post-WWII era.

Following the Second World War, the United States abandoned many of its isolationist positions as it sought to become the world's leading superpower. This involved stationing millions of troops in overseas bases during the Cold War, in strategically important locations such as West Germany, Japan, and Taiwan. Additionally, involvement in conflicts such as the Korean War (1950-1953) and Vietnam War (1964-1973*) kept military employment high, usually between 1-2 percent until the 1970s. Figures remained just below the one percent mark until the 1990s, when the end of the Cold War and the growing influence of technology in conventional warfare saw a decrease in demand for many traditional combat roles. Despite U.S. involvement in a number of overseas conflicts in the 21st century, military personnel represented less than 0.5 percent of the total population in most years between 2000 and 2016.

Latin America & Caribbean military size for 2020 was 2,740,000, a 1.72% decline from 2019.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Latin America & Caribbean military size for 2019 was <strong>2,788,000</strong>, a <strong>0.58% decline</strong> from 2018.</li>
<li>Latin America & Caribbean military size for 2018 was <strong>2,804,200</strong>, a <strong>1.75% increase</strong> from 2017.</li>
<li>Latin America & Caribbean military size for 2017 was <strong>2,756,000</strong>, a <strong>2.74% increase</strong> from 2016.</li>
</ul>Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces.

As of May 2025, China had the largest armed forces in the world by active duty military personnel, with about *********** active soldiers. India, the United States, North Korea, and Russia rounded out the top five largest armies. Difference between active and reserve personnel Active personnel, also known as active duty in the United States and active service in the United Kingdom, are those individuals whose full-time occupation is being part of a military force. Active duty contrasts with a military’s reserve force, which are individuals who have both a military role and a civilian career. The number of active duty forces in the U.S. is much larger than its reserve membership. What is the strongest army? The strength of a country’s armed forces is not only determined by how many personnel they maintain, but also the number and quality of their military equipment. For example, looking only at personnel does not factor in the overwhelmingly higher number of nuclear warheads owned by Russia and the United States compared to other countries. One way to answer this question is to look at the total amount of money each country spends on their military, as spending includes both personnel and technology. In terms of countries with the highest military spending, the United States leads the world with an annual budget almost ***** times larger than second-placed China.

Historical chart and dataset showing Virgin Islands (U.S.) military size by year from N/A to N/A.

Graph and download economic data for Real Gross Domestic Product: Military in the United States (USGOVFEDMILRGSP) from 1997 to 2024 about military, GSP, federal, government, real, industry, GDP, and USA.

The North America Military Aviation Market is segmented by Sub Aircraft Type (Fixed-Wing Aircraft, Rotorcraft) and by Country (Canada, Mexico, United States). Key Data Points observed include air passenger traffic, air transport freight, defense spending, military aircraft active fleet, revenue passenger kilometers, high-net worth individuals, and inflation rate.

This graph shows the total number of active duty U.S. military personnel by service branch as of 2010. At this time there were 323,139 military personnel in the Navy and 329,640 personnel in the Air Force.

U.S. Military Technology Advancement Market valued USD 3.5 Billion in 2024 and is projected to surpass USD 10.4 Billion through 2032

The U.S. Military Animals Market size was valued at USD 14.35 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 23.98 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.61 % during the forecasts period. Military animals, ranging from courageous dogs to intelligent dolphins and brave horses, have served alongside human forces for centuries. These animals undergo rigorous training to assist in various roles, including reconnaissance, detection of explosives, search and rescue missions, and even providing emotional support to soldiers. Their loyalty, keen senses, and adaptability make them invaluable assets in challenging environments where human capabilities are augmented by their unique skills. Beyond their tactical contributions, military animals symbolize resilience and the bond between humans and animals, demonstrating that teamwork across species can achieve remarkable feats in the service of national defense and humanitarian efforts.

Central America military size for was 0.00, a 0% increase from .

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Central America military size for was <strong>0.00</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
<li>Central America military size for was <strong>0.00</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
<li>Central America military size for was <strong>0.00</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
</ul>Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces.

American Samoa military size for was 0.00, a 0% increase from .

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>American Samoa military size for was <strong>0.00</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
<li>American Samoa military size for was <strong>0.00</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
<li>American Samoa military size for was <strong>0.00</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
</ul>Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces.