Global Military Training Aircraft Market Rises Steadily at a CAGR of 3.28%

Introduction

The current focus of the world's militaries is on maintaining smaller and more capable aircraft fleets. This motivates them to acquire more modern aircraft with cutting-edge technologies and advanced cockpits. Therefore, pilot education regarding the more advanced aircraft interfaces is required. Trainer aircraft are aircraft designed to instruct pilots and personnel in the art of flight. The military trainer aircraft contain defense-related components. Compared to other military aircraft, the trainer aircraft is equipped with additional safety features, including a simplified cockpit layout and tandem flight controls.

A training aircraft is designed to facilitate pilots' and aircrew training. Using a dedicated trainer aircraft outfitted with additional safety features such as tandem flight controls, forgiving flight characteristics, and a simplified cockpit, student pilots, can safely improve their real-world flying, navigation, and/or combat skills. This eliminates the possibility that they will exceed their capabilities in a fully-equipped aircraft.

Market Dynamics

Procurement of New Generation Aircraft Propels the Market for Military Training Aircrafts

As the armies of the world prepare to operate a fleet of more compact yet capable aircraft, the acquisition of aircraft of a newer generation is a growing priority. In this sense, several military aircraft are being acquired to replace the more obsolete airframes that are currently in service. Purchasing aircraft from a more recent generation will assist the military in saving money in addition to lowering maintenance and operational costs. The US Air Force (USAF) requested permission from Congress to retire 201 aircraft by the end of the fiscal year 2022, as it did in 2021. The USAF would use the money saved by not operating and maintaining these aircraft to fund research and development and purchase next-generation aircraft.

Pilots receive cockpit-specific training as part of their training, so purchasing new aircraft will also increase the demand for advanced-level pilot training. As a result, the same aircraft platforms will need to be modified to meet pilot training requirements due to the acquisition of new aircraft platforms. In 2016, India and France signed a contract to purchase 36 Rafale combat aircraft for approximately USD 9.4 billion. All Rafale jets were expected to have been delivered by 2022. The 36 Rafale aircraft will include 30 fighter aircraft and 6 trainer aircraft. The twin-seater training jets have nearly all of the characteristics of the fighter jet. Consequently, a sizeable portion of any new aircraft purchases will acquire companion training aircraft.

Need for Lower Emission Aircraft Creates Umpteen Growth Opportunities

It is anticipated that the emphasis on electrifying transportation will gain momentum in the coming years. Given that its Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C) criteria can be readily met in compact trainer aircraft compared to other military aircraft, trainer aircraft are expected to be the first in the military aviation industry to adopt electric propulsion technologies. During the duration of the forecast, it is anticipated that the first electric trainer aircraft models will be operational. Korea Aerospace Industries, or KAI, exhibited an electrically-powered basic trainer aircraft concept model at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition in 2021. After years of testing hybrid electric prototypes, Diamond Aircraft has announced it will begin construction on its first fully electric aircraft.

As the demand for cost reduction increases, it is anticipated that future trainer aircraft will feature acquisition and operational cost-cutting systems. In addition, there is a growing demand for supersonic trainer jets due to the emphasis placed on training fighter pilots in aircraft that operate similarly to fighters. In the upcoming years, more individuals are projected to use these planes. Introducing sophisticated simulators is expected to convince the military to reduce the required number of flight hours for trainer aircraft. Furthermore, aircraft original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) collaborate with simulator suppliers to construct and develop systems that increase pilot competitiveness through virtual training techniques.

Regional Insights

Asia-Pacific will command the market, expanding at a CAGR of 3.76% over the forecast period. The regional expansion is attributable to nations such as China and India. The first graduates of the military aviation academy will be qualified for carrier operations in 2020, according to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense. To eliminate the United States Air Force's advantage, the Chinese Air Force has implemented a new curriculum that encourages pilots to think and act independently. These new implementations became active at the beginning of 2021.

According to the Defense Ministry, the Indian Air Force operates approximately 260 trainer aircraft, including the advanced jet trainers Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II, Kiran MkI/IA, and Hawk Mk-132. There are currently 3,834 fewer pilots than the authorized number of 4,239 in the Indian Air Force (IAF). To train the nation's future pilots, India submitted a Request for Information (RFI) for at least 20 critical trainer aircraft leased in 2021.

North America will likely expand at a CAGR of 2.81%, accounting for USD 2 billion by 2030. The United States is primarily responsible for the expansion of the region. The world's largest military aircraft fleet and defense budget belong to the United States. The United States military operates the largest fleet of training aircraft owing to the size of its aircraft fleet. The United States Air Force has 1,488 active training aircraft, while the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and the United States Navy have 110, 110, and 107 aircraft, respectively.

In 2021, Leonardo delivered the first TH-73A training helicopter to the United States Navy following a USD 648,1 million contract. The total aircraft required is 130, with deliveries continuing through 2024. The US Department of Defense acquired contract options with Leonardo for 36 more aircraft in 2020. This training helicopter will replace the aging fleet of TH-57B/C Sea Rangers. The TH-73A is suitable for both fundamental and advanced flight training. The TH-73 can perform every maneuver in the US Navy's training curriculum due to its Pratt & Whitney PT-6 engine, dual safety, hydraulic systems, and modern digital avionics from Genesys Aerospace.

Key Highlights

• The global military training aircraft market had a revenue holding of USD 4.96 billion in 2021. It is expected to reach USD 6.4 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.28% during the forecast period (2022–2030).
• By aircraft type, the global military training aircraft market includes Fixed-Wing Aircraft and Helicopters. The Fixed-Wing Aircraft section will likely hold the largest market share, growing at a CAGR of 2.89% over the forecast period.
• By seat type, the global military training aircraft market includes Single and Twin. The Twin section will hold the largest market share over the forecast period.
• By application, the global military training aircraft market includes Armed and Unarmed. The Armed section will hold the largest market share over the forecast period.
• By region, the global military aircraft market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. Asia-Pacific owns the leading market position.

Competitive Players

Competitive Players in the Market

• Rostec
• Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd
• Diamond Aircraft Industries
• Embraer SA
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• The Boeing Company
• BAE Systems PLC
• Pilatus Aircraft Ltd
• Textron Inc.
• Leonardo SpA
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Calidus LLC

Recent Developments

Market News

• In 2022, Lockheed Martin Corporation launched the third Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) CH-53K helicopter to the United States Marine Corps ahead of schedule. The CH-53K is the sole heavy-lift helicopter that will continue to be produced until 2032 since its heavy-lift capabilities surpass those of all other rotary-wing platforms used by the US Department of Defense.

Segmentation

Global Military Training Aircraft Market: Segmentation

By Aircraft Type

• Fixed-Wing Aircraft
• Basic Jet Trainers
• Intermediate Jet Trainers
• Advanced jet Trainers
• Helicopter

By Seat Type

• Single
• Twin

By Application

• Armed
• Unarmed

By Regions

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• LAMEA