Exploring the Growth of the Military 3D Printing Market by 2035
The global Military 3D Printing Market is set to undergo substantial expansion over the coming decade. According to MRFR, the market was valued at approximately USD 987.5 million in 2024 and is projected to grow to around USD 12,074.9 million by 2035, representing a CAGR of 25.56% between 2025 and 2035.
This level of growth is significant, especially given the baseline of under USD 1 billion in 2024. It signals a transformation in how additive manufacturing (3D printing) is adopted in defence applications. Several drivers underpin this growth. First, the demand for rapid prototyping capabilities is explicitly flagged by MRFR as a major driver — the ability to quickly design and produce components resonates strongly in military contexts.
Second, MRFR highlights the “integration of advanced materials” — lighter, stronger, more durable alloys and composites — which enable 3D printed parts to move from prototype to mission-critical use.
Third, MRFR emphasises cost-efficiency, reduced waste and notably, logistical advantages and supply-chain resilience afforded by on-demand manufacturing of parts for forward bases or remote units.
From a strategic standpoint, this growth suggests several implications: companies and defence agencies should prepare for a shift in manufacturing and supply chain paradigms, moving from traditional centralized manufacturing toward distributed, agile additive manufacturing. The jump from sub-USD 1 billion market to over USD 12 billion by 2035 implies many “adjacent” opportunities — printers, materials, software, services — will expand accordingly. Notably, MRFR’s segmentation covers those categories (printer, material, software, service) and also application, platform, process and technology.
However, such rapid growth also implies scaling challenges: infrastructure, skilled personnel, standards/certification, supply-chain adaptation will all need to evolve. For defense OEMs, service providers and additive manufacturing companies, positioning now — either through partnerships, capability building or strategic investment — may provide outsized returns.