Press Release
Contact: Dean Lockwood, Weapons Systems Analyst
Phone: (203) 426-0800
Fax: (203) 426-1964
Web site: www.forecastinternational.com
E-mail: dean.lockwood@forecast1.com
Forecast International, Inc.
22 Commerce Rd. Newtown, CT 06470 USA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Russian RPG Line Dominates World Market for
Man-Portable Anti-Armor Weapons
NEWTOWN, Conn. (December 5, 2005) ― As the role of a man-portable anti-armor weapon
continues to morph from a dedicated anti-tank weapon to a general-purpose fire
support asset for light and medium forces, the international market for
man-portable anti-armor and bunker buster weapons remains robust. In its annual
analysis, "The World Market for Man-Portable Anti-Armor and Bunker Buster
Weapons," the Forecast International Weapons Group expects the market will
produce nearly 1.9 million weapons, worth $5.33 billion, through 2014.
Dean Lockwood, a weapons systems analyst at Forecast
International, notes the Russian RPG (Ruchnoy Protivotankoviy Granatomet) line
of weapons continues to dominate this market. Under the auspices of the Rosoboronexport
organization, the combined output of Russian defense contractors will account
for over 68 percent of man-portable anti-armor and bunker buster weapon
production, worth over 51 percent of the total market value, through 2014. The
most significant production will involve the Russian RPG-26 and RPG-27. According
to Lockwood, "Combined production of these two weapons will account for
over 54 percent of all new production, worth over 31 percent of the total
market value, through 2014." Nevertheless, the ubiquitous RPG-7 remains
the man-portable anti-armor weapon of choice worldwide. Through 2014, the RPG-7
(and the follow-on RPG-16) – as well as various licensed and unlicensed copies
– will account for nearly 8 percent of all new production, worth 5.63 percent
of the total market value.
Despite the domination of the Russian RPG line, plenty of
opportunities exist in this evolving market. According to Lockwood, "The
combined output of the leading European players will provide only 13.96 percent
of all man-portable anti-armor and bunker buster weapons production. However,
these high-end European products will account for over 33 percent of the total
market value through 2014." Talley Defense Systems, the sole U.S. player
to have any discernable impact on this market, will account for 5.14 percent of
all production, worth 5.26 percent of the total market value, through 2014.
Lockwood also notes that, unlike many other defense markets, the People’s
Republic of China has virtually no impact on the international market for
man-portable anti-armor and bunker buster weapons. The Chinese State Arsenals
system, under the auspices of the China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO),
will contribute less than 1 percent of total production and market value with
its Type 69 line.
Despite the uncertainties of a post-Cold War world and the
glut of available weapons, the international market for man‑portable
anti-armor and bunker buster weapons remains a vibrant, dynamic environment.
Evolving threat scenarios and force structures are creating a whole new field
of opportunity, as the man-portable anti-armor weapon evolves into a
general-purpose fire support asset for light and medium forces in the age of
asymmetrical warfare.
Forecast International, Inc. is a leading provider of Market
Intelligence and Analysis in the areas of aerospace, defense, power systems and
military electronics. Based in Newtown, CT, USA, Forecast International
specializes in long-range industry forecasts and market assessments utilized by
strategic planners, marketing professionals, military organizations, and
governments worldwide. To arrange an interview with Forecast
International’s analysts, please contact Monty Nebinger (203-426-0800, monty.nebinger@forecast1.com).