Stratview Research has published a new report titled “Soft Body Armor Market” which is segmented by Product Type (Ballistic-Resistant Armor, Stab-Resistant Armor, and Combined-Resistant Armor), by Material Type (Aramid, UHMWPE, and Others), by Level of Protection Type (Level IIA, Level II, Level IIIA, SP1/KR1, SP2/KR2, SP3/KR3, Level IIA + SP/KR/SP-KR, Level II + SP/KR/SP-KR, and Level IIIA + SP/KR/SP-KR), by End-User Type (Military, Homeland Security, and Commercial), by Mode of Operation Type (Covert Operation and Overt Operation), and by Region (North America [The USA, Canada, and Mexico], Europe [Germany, France, The UK, Russia, Italy,  Ukraine, and Rest of Europe], Asia-Pacific [China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and Rest of Asia-Pacific], and Rest of the World [Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Others]).

As per the study, the market was valued at US$ 926.4 Million in 2022 and is likely to reach an annual market size of US$ 1210.7 Million in 2028 at an exceptional CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period of 2023-2028.

It is projected that the sales of soft body armor will cumulatively reach US$ 6,607.1 million during 2023-2028.

Soft body armor is protective clothing that is usually worn by law enforcement personnel, EMS workers, and firefighters in various situations due to the escalating geopolitical conflict and the rise in violent and terrorist acts.

These bulletproof vests provide protection against ammunition fired from short-barrel handguns and improve the soldier’s survivability and protect the army personnel and special police task forces. Law enforcement officials, who are more likely to encounter low-level ballistic threats, typically utilize soft body armor to provide adequate ballistic protection. 

Over the past three decades, soft body armor has reportedly saved the lives of over 3,000 police officers in the United States, according to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).

Report Highlights

This report covers comprehensive data on emerging trends, market drivers, growth opportunities, and restraints that can affect the market dynamics of the industry. It thoroughly analyzes the market segments, including products, applications, and competitor analysis.

The market is bifurcated into various segments. Below given is the segment-wise analysis -

By Product Type

The market is segmented into ballistic-resistant armor, stab-resistant armor, and combined-resistant armor. 

Ballistic-resistant armor is expected to remain the largest market with a share of >70% in 2022 and it is the fastest-growing product type with a CAGR of 4.4% in the market during the forecast period. Ballistic-resistant armor is used in large volumes by police officers and other law enforcement personnel to protect them from bullets fired by handguns. The product type is likely to dominate as well as be the fastest growing in the foreseen future. 

Similarly, stab-resistant armor provides protection from knives, sharp blades, pointed needles, and spikes and its protection level varies as per the sharpness of the knife/spike. Combined-resistant armor provides complete protection against bullets and knives, along with sharp and pointed objects.

By Material Type

The market is segmented into UHMWPE, aramid, and others.

Among these materials, the UHMWPE-based soft body armor contributes a major share of >70% in 2022 and it is the fastest-growing material type with a CAGR of 4.6% in the market during the forecast period because of its significant weight reduction and improved ballistic resistance. The other materials used in soft body armor are generally glass-fiber PE composite, sponge, foam, and rubber, which are majorly used in stab-resistant body armor.

By Level of Protection Type

The market is segmented into Level IIA, Level II, Level IIIA, SP1/KR1, SP2/KR2, SP3/KR3, Level IIA + SP/KR/SP-KR, Level II + SP/KR/SP-KR, and Level IIIA + SP/KR/SP-KR.

Among these, Level IIIA dominated the market with a share of >55% in 2022 and it is the fastest-growing type with a CAGR of 4.7% in the market during the forecast period. Each product type has a different protection level. While the ballistic-resistant armor has protection levels level IIA, level II, and level IIIA, the stab-resistant armor has protection levels SP1/KR1, SP2/KR2, and SP3/KR3, and the combined-resistant body armor has protection levels of level IIA + SP/KR/SP-KR, Level II + SP/KR/SP-KR, and Level IIIA + SP/KR/SP-KR A. 

Since level IIIA provides the highest level of protection, it is likely to contribute to a major market share as well as is likely to witness the highest market growth, during the forecast period. The market demand for level IIA protection type is slowly diminishing, due to limited usage and the low level of protection offered by the armor.

By End-User Type

The market is segmented into military, homeland security, and commercial. 

Among these end-users, Homeland Security dominated the market with a share of >70% in 2022 and it is the fastest-growing type with a CAGR of 4.6% in the market during the forecast period. As a result of the increasing investments by the US DHS (Department of Homeland Security) and other law enforcement agencies in different countries for the safety of their police officers and other law enforcement personnel, homeland security is anticipated to generate the largest demand and is also likely to witness the fastest market growth, in the coming five years. 

This is also owing to the large demand for soft body armor during police operations, such as during shootout missions, where soft body armor is used in large volumes as they are deployed across every law enforcement personnel engaged in the operation.

By Mode of Operation Type

The market is segmented into covert operation and overt operation. 

Among these operation types, Covert Operation dominated the market in 2022 and it is the fastest-growing type with a CAGR of 5.3% in the market during the forecast period. The covert operation is considered to be better suited for law enforcement personnel during homeland security operations, as the armor used in such operations is lightweight and designed to be concealed under the personnel’s clothing. 

As a result, it is likely to draw a larger market demand and is also anticipated to witness faster growth, during the forecast period.

Which Region is expected to remain the largest market?

North America is expected to remain the largest market with a share of >65% in 2022 for soft body armor. The region is home to market-leading companies, such as Point-Blank Enterprises, Inc., Safariland, LLC, and Armor Express, which are also major contractors for the US DoD and the US DHS.

In addition, the DHS has been increasing its expenditure on body armor, emphasizing the safety and protection of law enforcement employees.

Likewise, the Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing market with a CAGR of 5.4% in the market during the forecast period and is also likely to create sizeable opportunities in the coming five years, driven by the rising gun violence and political conflicts in Asian countries.

Also, the presence of local companies, such as Beijing Tongyizhong New Material Technology Corporation and Senken Group Co. Ltd. is increasing the regional market attractiveness.

Who are the Key Players in the Market?

This report provides market intelligence most comprehensively. It also provides critical insights into the key players active in the market, which will enable strategic decision-making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key players acting in the Soft Body Armor Market:

• Point Blank Enterprises, Inc.

• Safariland, LLC.

• Armor Express

• Mehler Vario System

• SM Group

• XTEK Group

• Beijing Tongyizhong New Material Technology Corporation

• Senken Group Co., Ltd

• MARS Armor

• US Armor Corporation

Key questions answered by the report.

• What is the projected CAGR for the Soft Body Armor Market revenue during the forecast period?

• What would the market be valued at by 2028?

• What is a major driving factor for the growth of the market?

• Which region accounted for the largest revenue share in the Soft Body Armor Market?

• Which are the major market players?

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