A new industry report finds that the largest “prime” defence contractors are expected to retain a major share of the global weapons market even as drone and unmanned systems expand. The Financial Times reports that primes are projected to account for about 80% of worldwide weapons sales well into the next decade. Similarly, the Times of India states that large defence companies are expected to maintain more than an 80% share of the market through 2033 despite a surge in drones.
Both outlets attribute the outlook to the continued role of established prime contractors in designing, producing and supplying a wide range of defence equipment, including platforms and weapon systems. While drones are increasingly prominent in defence procurement, the reports suggest they do not significantly change the overall market structure captured by primes. Overall, the findings indicate that market concentration around large contractors persists through the period covered by the forecasts, with unmanned capabilities emerging within that broader supplier landscape rather than displacing it.
