Decoy Flares Market Size - By Product Type, Composition, Deployment Platform, and End Use - Global Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Decoy Flares Market Size

The global decoy flares market was valued at USD 2.24 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.7% to reach USD 6.12 billion by 2034. The growth of the market is attributed to factors such as modernization of military aircraft fleets and rising geopolitical tensions and security concerns.
 

Recent advancements in technologies have significantly improved the capability and flexibility of decoy flares has been illustrated by the emergence of pyrophoric flares relative to the historic pyrotechnic flares, which are known to be impractical in terms of drag and burn time. Pyrophoric flares provide longer burn time, better wavelength coverage, and are less affected by wind. These developments have increased effectiveness of decoy flares against the next generation guided missile threats and hence their increased uptake across military platforms.
 

For instance, Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has provided advanced infrared (IR) flares to support their Counter Measure Dispensing Systems (CMDS). These 2" x 1" x 8" cartridges emit a high intensity IR radiation for over 3.5 seconds, which in turn would divert a heat-seeking missile headed towards the target. Ultimately user trials had been completed successfully to allow for them to be integrated into the Indian Air Force and increases the survivability of fighter and transport aircraft when operating in a hostile environment.
 

Emerging economies are increasing military expenditures and spurring demand for next-generation defense capabilities and defensive systems such as decoy flares. India, China, and Brazil are a few countries investing billions of dollars to modernize their armed forces in order to increase the effectiveness of their capability to deter aggression. The purpose of these investments is consistent as reflected in the development and acquisition of advanced decoy systems. For instance, the Maareech Advanced Torpedo Decoy System manufactured by DRDO was inducted into the Indian Navy as a means to protect Indian Warships from Torpedo attack. This sets the tone and demonstrates how the country invests in improving its naval self-defense mechanism through indigenous development.
 

The Indian Airforce is also well on its way to inducting advanced chaff technology developed by DRDO laboratories; to safeguard it's fighter fleet of jets from advanced radar-guided missiles. The strategic procurement decision to deploy these weapons to increase their self-protection capability is becoming a greater focal point for the defence procurement agencies within emerging economies. These projected expenditures and investments by emerging economies should continue to enhance the decoy flares market as these nations demonstrate a passionate desire to invest in defensive military capabilities.
 

Decoy Flares Market Trends

• The smart flares are designed to conduct different flash patterns and regulate their intensity to confuse modern heat-seeking missiles where the seeker is the deciding factor for target acquisition. This technology ensures militaries carry effective electronic countermeasure capabilities and enhances survivability for manned and unmanned aircraft. Smart flares are also typically designed to include built-in diagnostics and data-logging capabilities which can be used for post-mission analysis. Moreover, the integration of smart flares with onboard electronic warfare suites for unified defensive postures. Furthermore, the technological improvements mean the flares have increased reliability bringing fewer false activations and conserving inventories and stocks during tasks.
   
• With increasing requirements on modern combat aircraft and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to deliver varied mission payloads, weight and modularity become critical considerations. Although manufacturers are developing lighter weight systems that enhance cross-platform compatibility (UAV and rotary wing), these new lightweight decoy flare systems employ much lighter weight decoy flare systems that help achieve those cross-platform capabilities. Furthermore, many current systems employ plug-and-play compatibility to enable rapid reloading and modifying, which increases field usability and effectiveness. The modularity also affords armed forces the opportunity to develop countermeasure packages using changing mission threat profiles making them flexible and economical. They also reduce operating footprint allowing logistical and maintenance crews to handle on-board storage and transport more efficiently.

Decoy Flares Market Analysis

Based on the product type, the market is segmented into pyrotechnic flares, pyrophoric flares, infrared flares and spectral decoy flares.
 

• The pyrotechnic flares market was the largest market and was valued at USD 870 million in 2024. The increasing adoption of this segment is due to increase in testing, training and production uses due to lower costs, greater reliability, and simpler integration into systems in lower-cost procurement programs in defense and training settings. Pyrotechnic flares are critical components or countermeasure elements for an aircraft survivability system and options that are inexpensive and easily deployed in emerging economies, particularly in lower-cost programs. The necessity for nations to maintain high inventories due to border tensions, regional aggression and respectable views on frugal spending will likely add to their immediate need.
   
• The spectral decoy flares market is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 11.5% during the forecast period. This segment is increasing in relevance as countermeasures that use the flare in conjunction with very capable missile guidance systems that have more resistant systems to conventional countermeasures. The advantage of spectral flares is they are intended to imitate specific infrared signatures such as that of an aircraft engine which can effectively confound a missile seeker on track to engage with it, or even multi-band or imaging infrared (IIR) missile seekers. Spectral flares will add a survivability advantage in a high-threat combat situation, for example, and can be designed to complement automated countermeasure dispense systems.
   

Based on composition, the decoy flares market is categorized into magnesium-based, phosphorus-based, metalized plastic-based and other advanced composites.
 

• The magnesium-based market was the largest market and was valued at USD 721 million in 2024. The expansion in this area can be attributed to magnesium's natural properties as an extremely flammable and intensely bright and lightweight material, which lends well to use in flares production. Magnesium/decoy flares remain one of the best forms of protection against infrared-guided missiles, due to their incredible heat signatures approximating those of aircraft engines they make excellent distractors. Magnesium's relatively low price, ease of formulation, and the ability to mass produce for operational and training application makes these an attractive option.
   
• The metalized plastic-based market is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 11.9% during the forecast period. This segment is driven by the need for lightweight flare solutions, safely manufactured, and customization capabilities for air defense needs today. Qualities in newer manufacturing processes provide an opportunity to develop far more defined spectral responses to defeat future more advanced missiles. These flexible designs also allow for integration with smart systems of countermeasure capability, particularly when pairs or triads of flare dispersive modes are allowed for dual or multi-spectral decoy capabilities.
   

Based on the deployment platform, the decoy flares market is bifurcated into airborne, naval and ground based.
 

• The airborne market was the largest market and was valued at USD 1.83 billion in 2024. This segment is growing as more complex decoy flare systems have been used in newer fighter aircraft with advanced missile technology having a minimal threshold. Fighter aircraft specifically desired flares that could electrically replicate engine exhaust while responding quickly to threats where infrared guided missiles are employed. This segment has also grown due to the use of modern flare dispensers as part of integrated threat detection systems. This allows better tactical sequencing in responding to threats via decoy flares, putting them fully in the next generation of air combat.
   
• The airborne market is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 10.9% during the forecast period. The growth of the decoy flare segment in transport aircraft is driven by the need for protection of the much larger slower operating air platform, especially when performing logistics, surveillance and troop transport roles in areas of conflict or high risk. Other aircraft tend to be conventional missiles or missiles from advanced nations. This makes transport aircraft larger, slower moving targets, and increasingly they are in the hunting sights of these systems for delivery of freighter weaponry.
   

Based on the end use, the decoy flares market is bifurcated into defense forces, homeland security, private military contractors and others.
 

• The defense forces market was the largest market and was valued at USD 766 million in 2024. Growth in this segment is driven by rising military conflicts, modernization of defense arsenals, and growing focus on aircraft survivability. The defense force is looking to leverage the investment of decoy flares as countermeasure systems for combat aircraft helicopters, and transport fleets against advanced heat-seeking missiles. Sector expansions for decoy flares is also attributed to flare dispensers that use advanced warning systems similarly to chaff and radar jamming, that creates a growing use of flares in active military operations.
   
• The homeland security market is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period. The homeland security sector is recognizing and has adopted decoy flares as necessary countermeasure systems for protecting critical infrastructure facilities, and for given Royalty VIP transport and border patrol security against missile threats. Decoy Flares provide a critical defensive capability for any potential risk to aerial non-combat assets, when deployed into high-risk areas and situations. Governments are also in the process of integrating decoy systems into aircraft as well specializing long-range disaster response, surveillance, and security patrol situations to ensure and maintain readiness in an unpredictable environment.
   

• The U.S. decoy flares market and accounted for USD 602 million in the year 2024. The U.S. market is benefiting from ongoing military modernization & investment in aerial defense systems. Continued large defense budgets and ongoing geopolitical imbalances in all global regions sustain demand for technologically advanced countermeasures. Major U.S. defense contractors are also innovating their flare compositions and deployment systems to permit more rapid start times and greater thermal signatures, enhancing evasiveness. The continuous evolution of military needs and leadership in technology should continue to support a strong market for decoy flares in the U.S.
   
• The Germany decoy flares market and accounted for USD 100 million in the year 2024. Germany's market benefits from its strategic approach to enhancing homeland defense and NATO-led responsibilities. Germany has engaged in increasing defense readiness through spending on contemporary aircraft systems which require modern onboard countermeasure technologies such as decoy flares, made possible by Germany's attention to European cooperation in defense programs and the procurement of new-generation aircraft, increases the need for contemporary flare systems. Domestic defense manufacturers are also involved in manufacturing innovation for multi-spectral and spectral flares for greater compatibility with a wider variety of threats, all of which enhances Germany's profile as one of the main centers for decoy flare manufacture in Europe.
   
• The decoy flares market in China is projected to reach USD 910 million by the year 2034. The growth of China's market is being driven by the country's military expanding air force capabilities. With a rapidly growing fleet of fighter jets and surveillance aircraft, the demand for integrated countermeasure systems, including advanced decoy flares, continues to grow. Focus on electronic warfare preparedness, alongside emerging regional security dynamics, continues to make China a major market for decoy flare adoption.
   
• The Japan decoy flares market accounted for USD 80 million in 2024. Japan is expanding as national defense move to broaden its aerial self-defense investment in capabilities. Japan has been modernizing its defense forces with next generation aircraft and missile defense capabilities. This modernization has led to an increased integration of countermeasure tools (flares) into the aerial systems. The growing need for effective infrared dispersant is particularly important for jet fighters & patrol aircraft & can be seen as a response to threats as Japan continues to focus on maritime security and guarding against regional threats.
   
• The South Korea industry is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 12.4% during the forecast period. The decoy flares market in South Korea is being driven by the country's strategic defense planning to address regional tension. The government looking to prioritize survivability systems across all aircraft within its air force is accordingly investing in decoy flares as a component of its missile evasion capabilities. South Korea seeks to invest in indigenous production and collaboration with foreign allies in order to provide a more effective flare system and capability across its modern airframe platforms.
   

Decoy Flares Market Share

The decoy flares industry is highly competitive and fragmented with the presence of established global players as well as local players and startups. The top 3 companies in the global market are Chemring Group PLC, Elbit Systems Ltd., and L3Harris Technologies, Inc. collectively accounting for a share of 38% market share.
 

Companies within the decoy flares market utilize a number of techniques to establish themselves in an ever-changing environment of counter-measure technologies and a combat demands of defense applications. Investments into next generation flare formulations and deployment methods to counter missiles of increasing sophistication are an urgent purpose for these manufacturers. This is a priority to improve key and complex attributes of flares, particularly burn time, thermal stability, and spectral output are the baseline requirements for a rigorously tested and trusted decoy product that can be relied upon to work in various situations whether on fighter jets, helicopters, or naval platforms. Companies are striving to develop more compact, lighter, energy efficient flare systems that can be deployed faster with high reliability standards, and compatibility with new aircraft systems.
 

As defense technologies advance, many companies now develop intelligent flare deployment systems that include real-time threat detection and countermeasure management. AI-infused targeting and adaptive release algorithms in these systems permit more accurate and timely flare activations and improved survivability to complex infrared-guided missile threats and employ to optimize the use of decoys, mitigate false deploys, and extend shelf life requirements and considerations for military use.
 

Decoy Flares Market Companies

The decoy flares industry features several prominent players, including:        

• Chemring Group PLC
• Elbit Systems Ltd.
• L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
• Rheinmetall AG                 
   

Chemring Group PLC has built a strong reputation for developing advanced countermeasure systems that meet the demanding requirements of modern defense technologies. Their products feature excellent burn characteristics, enhanced thermal stability, & quick deployment, providing reliable performance in a wide range of challenging environments. Chemring's focus on innovation enables improved survivability and mission accomplishment of defense forces across the globe, positioning them as a reliable partner in state-of-the-art aerial defense countermeasures.
 

Elbit Systems Ltd. is a pioneer in decoy flares technology, with a focus on cutting-edge defense solutions for increasing survivability and protection of military platforms. Based on deep experience in electronic warfare & countermeasure systems, Elbit produces world-class decoy flares with accurate deployment, advanced thermal management, & increased effectiveness against diverse types of missile threats. Their products are made to be reliable under harsh conditions, offering vital defense capabilities to airborne, naval, & ground troops. Elbit's emphasis on ongoing development & use of smart technologies means their decoy flares keep pace with the increasing demands of contemporary warfare, solidifying their role as a reliable supplier to defense organizations worldwide.
 

Decoy Flares Industry News

• In January 2024, Rheinmetall won a €50 million contract to supply the Bundeswehr with over 470,000 Birdie infrared decoy flares between December 2023 and December 2029. These pyrotechnic flares protect helicopters, transport planes, and jets by imitating the heat signatures of aircraft engines, which helps to confuse infrared-guided missiles.
   
• In January 2024, Leonardo has enhanced its BriteCloud 55-T electronic warfare decoy in January 2024 with smart functionality that allows communication with an aircraft self-protection system and smart countermeasure dispensers, giving it an improved performance in air combat environments. The enhancement adheres to the current NATO standard STANAG-4781, which facilitates data exchange that maximizes threat response and payload management.
   

The decoy flares market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue (USD Million) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

Click here to Buy Section of this Report

By Product Type             

• Pyrotechnic flares
• Pyrophoric flares
• Infrared flares
• Spectral decoy flares

By Composition    

• Magnesium-based
• Phosphorus-based
• Metalized plastic-based
• Others

By Deployment Platform

• Airborne
  • Fighter jets
  • Helicopters
  • Transport aircraft
  • Others
• Naval
• Ground-based

By End Use

• Defense forces
• Homeland security
• Private military contractors
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe 
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
• Asia Pacific 
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America 
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa 
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE