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

Tanker Aircraft Market is Segmented by System (Probe & Drogue, Boom Refueling, and Autonomous), By Propulsion Type (Turboprop and Turbofan), By Type (Manned and Unmanned), By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa). The report offers the market size and forecasts for all the above segments in value (USD).

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

Tanker Aircraft Market Size

Tanker Aircraft Market Summary
Study Period 2019 - 2030
Market Size (2025) USD 732.07 Million
Market Size (2030) USD 998.31 Million
CAGR (2025 - 2030) 6.40 %
Fastest Growing Market North America
Largest Market North America
Market Concentration High

Major Players

Tanker Aircraft Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Compare market size and growth of Tanker Aircraft Market with other markets in Aerospace & Defense Industry

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Tanker Aircraft Market Analysis

The Tanker Aircraft Market size is estimated at USD 732.07 million in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 998.31 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

  • Despite the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, the market for tanker aircraft market remained unaffected, as the procurement projects were on track, and the sales and revenues of the tanker aircraft market increased steadily for the manufacturing companies.
  • The increasing military expenditure of developing economies is driving the modernization plans of various countries to replace the old tanker aircraft fleet. This is anticipated to propel the growth of the key aircraft market during the forecast period.
  • The innovations in existing tanker aircraft, along with introducing the action of new tanker aircraft, are anticipated to attract new customers for the aircraft OEMs. Considering the new technology and innovation, the market is expected to grow in the coming year. However, the expensive installation of refueling systems is a restraining factor that might cause hindrance to market growth.

Tanker Aircraft Industry Overview

The tanker aircraft market is consolidated with a few tanker aircraft manufacturing companies. Some prominent players in the tanker aircraft market are BAE Systems plc, The Boeing Company, Airbus SE, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and United Aircraft Corporation (Rostec). The introduction of new aircraft models and current investments in the development of unmanned air-to-air refueling technologies are anticipated to help the companies increase their share in the market. For instance, in November 2022, BAE Systems was contracted to continue delivering support and services for the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft in service with the air forces of founding nations. The countries include the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Tanker Aircraft Market Leaders

  1. BAE Systems plc

  2. The Boeing Company

  3. Lockheed Martin Corporation

  4. Airbus SE

  5. Rostec State Corporation

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Tanker Aircraft Market Concentration
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Tanker Aircraft Market News

  • September 2022: Israel was expected to buy four Boeing Co (BA.N) KC-46A refueling tankers for its air force. The Israeli government and the US defense contractor announced a USD 927 million deal, with the delivery of the first planes expected in 2025.
  • April 2022: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed an agreement to transform passenger Boeing 767s into multi-mission tanker transports (MMTTs).

Tanker 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 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
    • 4.4.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products
    • 4.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SEGMENTATION

  • 5.1 System
    • 5.1.1 Probe & Drogue
    • 5.1.2 Boom Refueling
    • 5.1.3 Autonomous
  • 5.2 Propulsion Type
    • 5.2.1 Turboprop
    • 5.2.2 Turbofan
  • 5.3 Type
    • 5.3.1 Manned
    • 5.3.2 Unmanned
  • 5.4 Geography
    • 5.4.1 North America
    • 5.4.1.1 United States
    • 5.4.1.2 Canada
    • 5.4.2 Europe
    • 5.4.2.1 Germany
    • 5.4.2.2 United Kingdom
    • 5.4.2.3 France
    • 5.4.2.4 Russia
    • 5.4.2.5 Rest of Europe
    • 5.4.3 Asia-Pacific
    • 5.4.3.1 India
    • 5.4.3.2 China
    • 5.4.3.3 Japan
    • 5.4.3.4 South Korea
    • 5.4.3.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
    • 5.4.4 Rest of the World

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Vendor Market Share**
  • 6.2 Company Profiles*
    • 6.2.1 BAE Systems plc
    • 6.2.2 The Boeing Company
    • 6.2.3 Airbus SE
    • 6.2.4 Lockheed Martin Corporation
    • 6.2.5 Rostec State Corporation (United Aircraft Corporation)
    • 6.2.6 Northrop Grumman Corporation
    • 6.2.7 Israel Aerospace Industries
    • 6.2.8 Omega Aerial Refueling Services, Inc.

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

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Tanker Aircraft Industry Segmentation

The tanker aircraft provides air-to-air refueling, the process of transferring aviation fuel from one aircraft to another during flight.

The tanker aircraft market is segmented by the system, propulsion type, type, and geography. By system, the market is segmented into probe and drogue, boom refueling, and autonomous. By propulsion type, the market is segmented into turboprop and turbofan. By type, the market is segmented into manned and unmanned. By geography, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa.

The report offers the market size and forecasts for all the above segments in value (USD).

System Probe & Drogue
Boom Refueling
Autonomous
Propulsion Type Turboprop
Turbofan
Type Manned
Unmanned
Geography North America United States
Canada
Europe Germany
United Kingdom
France
Russia
Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific India
China
Japan
South Korea
Rest of Asia-Pacific
Rest of the World
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Tanker Aircraft Market Research FAQs

How big is the Tanker Aircraft Market?

The Tanker Aircraft Market size is expected to reach USD 732.07 million in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 6.40% to reach USD 998.31 million by 2030.

What is the current Tanker Aircraft Market size?

In 2025, the Tanker Aircraft Market size is expected to reach USD 732.07 million.

Who are the key players in Tanker Aircraft Market?

BAE Systems plc, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus SE and Rostec State Corporation are the major companies operating in the Tanker Aircraft Market.

Which is the fastest growing region in Tanker Aircraft Market?

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

Which region has the biggest share in Tanker Aircraft Market?

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

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

In 2024, the Tanker Aircraft Market size was estimated at USD 685.22 million. The report covers the Tanker Aircraft Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Tanker Aircraft Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.

Tanker Aircraft Industry Report

Statistics for the 2025 Tanker Aircraft market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Tanker 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.