Special Mission Aircraft Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The Special Mission Aircraft Market Report is Segmented by Application (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Maritime Patrol Aircraft, and Other Applications) and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle-East and Africa). The Report Offers Market Size and Forecast for all the Above Segments in Value (USD).

Special Mission Aircraft Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

Special Mission Aircraft Market Size

Special Mission Aircraft Market Summary
Study Period 2019 - 2030
Market Size (2025) USD 6.76 Billion
Market Size (2030) USD 7.46 Billion
CAGR (2025 - 2030) 1.99 %
Fastest Growing Market Asia Pacific
Largest Market North America
Market Concentration Low

Major Players

Special Mission Aircraft Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

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Special Mission Aircraft Market Analysis

The Special Mission Aircraft Market size is estimated at USD 6.76 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 7.46 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 1.99% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

The escalating geopolitical tensions and cross-border issues across the world are driving the rapid increase in military spending by major and emerging economies. Special mission aircraft act as low-cost multi-role substitutes that support a wide range of missions like maritime patrol, electronic warfare, search and rescue, and medevac, among others. The ongoing advancements in aerospace technologies, including sensor systems, communication equipment, and stealth capabilities, drive the demand for modernized special mission aircraft with enhanced performance and capabilities. The integration of cyber warfare capabilities into special mission aircraft is becoming increasingly important as nations seek to enhance their capabilities to detect and counter cyber threats.

According to Bombardier, the demand for medevac-configured special mission aircraft increased in 2020. The evolving global security landscape, including geopolitical tensions and asymmetric threats, propels the need for special mission aircraft to enhance situational awareness and response capabilities. Moreover, growing defense expenditures worldwide are expected to accelerate the demand for special mission aircraft during the forecast period.

Special Mission Aircraft Industry Overview

The special mission aircraft market is fragmented due to the presence of aircraft OEMs and companies that convert commercial or general aviation aircraft into special mission aircraft. Some of the prominent players in the market for special mission aircraft are RTX Corporation, Textron Inc., Dassault Aviation, General Dynamics Corporation, and Saab AB. 

The companies are expanding their sales and footprint in various regions through new partnerships with the governments and armed forces. For instance, the US government was awarded a USD 1.6 billion production contract to Boeing in April 2021 for the delivery of 11 P-8A Poseidon aircraft. Out of the 11 aircraft, nine aircraft are planned to be delivered to the US Navy, and two aircraft will be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). With the order, the total number of P-8A aircraft on order for the US Navy increase to 128 and the RAAF to 14. 

The companies are also investing in developing new special mission aircraft based on the requirements of the armed forces. In this regard, in January 2024, the US Armuy awarded a contract to Bombardier Defense for a Global 6500 aircraft to serve as a prototype airframe for the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program. The HADES program aims to develop an ISR aircraft that uses a large-cabin business jet with advanced deep-sensing capabilities. Such contracts from various government and armed forces will help the companies increase their footprint in the market.

Special Mission Aircraft Market Leaders

  1. Textron Inc.

  2. General Dynamics Corporation

  3. Saab AB

  4. RTX Corporation

  5. Dassault Aviation

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Special Mission Aircraft Market News

In March 2024, Textron Aviation, a part of Textron Inc., was awarded a contract by the US Army Contracting Command for two Cessna Grand Caravan EX turboprop aircraft that will be owned and operated by the Djiboutian Air Force (DAF). These aircraft are part of a USD 100 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for acquiring such aircraft from Textron until 2029.

In July 2022, Northrop Grumman Corporation and Boom Supersonic collaborated on Supersonic aircraft for quick-reaction missions. As per the plan, the aircraft will be fitted with specialized capabilities, the aircraft will have the capability to be used to deliver medical supplies, provide for emergency medical evacuation, or surveil vast areas faster than conventional aircraft. The special mission overture variant will be used to coordinate other aircraft and ground assets in a variety of scenarios.

In July 2022, ELTA Systems Ltd., a part of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) signed a contract of over USD 200 million to supply special mission aircraft to a NATO country in Europe. IAI-ELTA offers four lines of Special-Mission Aircraft; AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning & Control) Aircraft, AGS (Air to Ground Surveillance) aircraft, MPA (Maritime Patrol Aircraft), and SIGINT (Signal Intelligence) aircraft.

Special Mission Aircraft Market Report - Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
  • 4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
    • 4.4.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
    • 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.4.3 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products
    • 4.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SEGMENTATION

  • 5.1 Application
    • 5.1.1 Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)
    • 5.1.2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft
    • 5.1.3 Other Applications
  • 5.2 Geography
    • 5.2.1 North America
    • 5.2.1.1 United States
    • 5.2.1.2 Canada
    • 5.2.2 Europe
    • 5.2.2.1 United Kingdom
    • 5.2.2.2 France
    • 5.2.2.3 Germany
    • 5.2.2.4 Russia
    • 5.2.2.5 Rest of Europe
    • 5.2.3 Asia-Pacific
    • 5.2.3.1 China
    • 5.2.3.2 India
    • 5.2.3.3 Japan
    • 5.2.3.4 Australia
    • 5.2.3.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
    • 5.2.4 Latin America
    • 5.2.4.1 Brazil
    • 5.2.4.2 Rest of Latin America
    • 5.2.5 Middle-East and Africa
    • 5.2.5.1 United Arab Emirates
    • 5.2.5.2 Turkey
    • 5.2.5.3 Rest of Middle-East and Africa

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Company Profiles
    • 6.1.1 RTX Corporation
    • 6.1.2 IAI
    • 6.1.3 Elbit Systems Ltd.
    • 6.1.4 The Boeing Company
    • 6.1.5 Dassault Aviation
    • 6.1.6 Northrop Grumman Corporation
    • 6.1.7 Lockheed Martin Corporation
    • 6.1.8 Textron Inc.
    • 6.1.9 General Dynamics Corporation
    • 6.1.10 Airbus SE
    • 6.1.11 Bombardier Inc.
    • 6.1.12 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.
    • 6.1.13 Leonardo S.p.A.
    • 6.1.14 Saab AB
  • *List Not Exhaustive

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

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Special Mission Aircraft Industry Segmentation

Special mission aircraft are aircraft equipped with a wide range of sensors and military equipment to support a wide range of non-combat missions such as search and rescue, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, etc. The market includes procurement, upgrade, and maintenance of special mission aircraft. The scope does not include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and rotorcraft used for ISR, search and rescue, and other non-combat missions of armed forces.

The special mission aircraft market is segmented by application and geography. Based on application, the market is segmented into ISR, maritime patrol aircraft, and other applications. The other applications segment includes aircraft used for electronic warfare, air ambulance, and VIP transportation. The report also covers the market sizes and forecasts for the special mission aircraft market in major countries across different regions. For each segment, the market size is provided in terms of value (USD).

Application Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)
Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Other Applications
Geography North America United States
Canada
Europe United Kingdom
France
Germany
Russia
Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific China
India
Japan
Australia
Rest of Asia-Pacific
Latin America Brazil
Rest of Latin America
Middle-East and Africa United Arab Emirates
Turkey
Rest of Middle-East and Africa
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Special Mission Aircraft Market Research FAQs

How big is the Special Mission Aircraft Market?

The Special Mission Aircraft Market size is expected to reach USD 6.76 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 1.99% to reach USD 7.46 billion by 2030.

What is the current Special Mission Aircraft Market size?

In 2025, the Special Mission Aircraft Market size is expected to reach USD 6.76 billion.

Who are the key players in Special Mission Aircraft Market?

Textron Inc., General Dynamics Corporation, Saab AB, RTX Corporation and Dassault Aviation are the major companies operating in the Special Mission Aircraft Market.

Which is the fastest growing region in Special Mission Aircraft Market?

Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).

Which region has the biggest share in Special Mission Aircraft Market?

In 2025, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Special Mission Aircraft Market.

What years does this Special Mission Aircraft Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?

In 2024, the Special Mission Aircraft Market size was estimated at USD 6.63 billion. The report covers the Special Mission Aircraft Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Special Mission Aircraft Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.

Special Mission Aircraft Industry Report

Statistics for the 2025 Special Mission Aircraft market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Special Mission Aircraft analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.