China Ammunition Market Overview, 2030

China's ammunition market is driven by the country's extensive military modernization efforts, increasing defense budget, and the need to maintain a strong defense infrastructure. As one of the world's largest producers and consumers of ammunition, China has a well-established domestic manufacturing base, supplying various calibers and types of ammunition for its military, law enforcement agencies, and private security firms. The market is dominated by state-owned enterprises that oversee the production, research, and development of advanced ammunition technologies. Investments in smart munitions, precision-guided ammunition, and next-generation explosives have intensified as China aims to enhance the combat effectiveness of its armed forces. Technological advancements in the defense sector have led to the development of new materials and improved ballistics, increasing the efficiency and lethality of ammunition. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) continues to upgrade its arsenal with modern ammunition designed for advanced weaponry, including high-velocity rounds, armor-piercing projectiles, and guided artillery shells. Additionally, the increasing demand for ammunition in training exercises and military drills further drives production, ensuring that the armed forces remain prepared for various combat scenarios. International arms trade regulations and geopolitical factors influence the market, with China focusing on expanding its domestic capabilities to reduce reliance on foreign imports.

According to the research report “China Ammunition Market Overview, 2030," published by Bonafide Research, the China Ammunition Market is anticipated to grow at more than 4.67% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The ammunition market in China is also influenced by the country’s growing defense exports, as China supplies ammunition and weaponry to allied nations and strategic partners. The development of cost-effective yet highly efficient ammunition makes Chinese-made munitions attractive to foreign buyers, particularly in regions with limited access to Western defense suppliers. Research and development initiatives have led to innovations in lightweight and environmentally friendly ammunition, addressing concerns related to logistics, storage, and battlefield sustainability. Advances in small arms ammunition, artillery shells, and missiles reflect China's broader strategy of achieving self-sufficiency in defense production while enhancing its global market competitiveness. The rise of asymmetric warfare and evolving military strategies have prompted increased investments in specialized ammunition such as armor-penetrating rounds, bunker-busting munitions, and counter-drone ammunition. Strict regulatory oversight and government control over ammunition production ensure compliance with national security policies while preventing unauthorized distribution. Domestic law enforcement agencies also contribute to market demand, requiring consistent supply chains for riot control, anti-terrorism operations, and routine security measures. Civilian firearm regulations remain highly restrictive, limiting the commercial ammunition market for private use. However, controlled exports and government-backed defense deals enable China to expand its influence in the global arms trade, reinforcing its position as a key player in the international ammunition market.

The ammunition market in China encompasses a broad range of products tailored to meet the country’s extensive defense, law enforcement, and civilian needs. Bullets serve as the most widely utilized form of ammunition, playing a crucial role in military operations, policing efforts, self-defense, and target shooting. The demand for bullets continues to rise as the government prioritizes military modernization and domestic firearm regulations evolve. Aerial bombs are an integral component of China’s air defense and strategic combat planning, supporting precision strikes and high-impact military operations. The development of advanced aerial munitions, including smart bombs and guided systems, is driven by the nation’s focus on military self-sufficiency and global defense capabilities. Grenades are employed in various tactical scenarios, ranging from infantry combat to riot control, with continued advancements in incendiary, stun, and smoke variants for specialized missions. Artillery shells are a dominant aspect of the country’s ground-based warfare strategy, utilized in long-range attacks, suppression fire, and defensive operations. These munitions are continuously refined for greater accuracy, firepower, and adaptability to modern combat situations. Mortars are another essential battlefield weapon, offering flexibility in both offensive and defensive engagements, with demand fueled by evolving military tactics and the need for mobile, high-impact firepower. The production and advancement of these ammunition products are influenced by national security policies, industrial defense capabilities, and the country’s strategic objectives in regional and international military affairs.

The classification of ammunition by caliber underscores the diverse requirements across China’s military, security forces, and civilian sectors. Large-caliber ammunition is predominantly utilized in heavy artillery, armored vehicles, and naval defense systems, supporting China’s focus on military expansion and technological advancements in warfare. These powerful rounds are designed for maximum destruction, penetration, and precision, ensuring dominance in large-scale combat scenarios. Continuous research and development efforts are dedicated to improving the range, accuracy, and impact of these munitions, reinforcing China’s position as a global military power. Medium-caliber ammunition serves a significant role in both military and law enforcement applications, deployed in automatic cannons, aircraft weaponry, and anti-material firearms. These rounds are crucial for ground and aerial combat, counterinsurgency operations, and armored vehicle engagements, with increasing demand due to heightened security concerns and regional tensions. The development of armor-piercing, high-explosive, and tracer rounds has further enhanced the effectiveness of medium-caliber munitions, ensuring versatility across multiple combat scenarios. Small-caliber ammunition is extensively used by armed forces, police units, private security firms, and recreational shooters, supporting a variety of applications ranging from basic training to high-precision marksmanship. The widespread availability of small-caliber firearms, coupled with the growing interest in shooting sports and self-defense, contributes to sustained demand in this segment. Advances in ballistics technology have led to the production of more efficient, environmentally friendly, and high-performance small-caliber rounds, aligning with China’s focus on technological progress and modernization in the defense sector. The evolving landscape of ammunition by caliber is shaped by government procurement initiatives, military research programs, and the country’s overarching strategy to enhance national security and defense readiness.

The application of ammunition in China spans multiple sectors, reflecting the country’s emphasis on military strength, domestic security, and regulated civilian firearm use. The defense and military sector remains the dominant consumer, driving the demand for sophisticated, high-impact munitions to support land, air, and naval operations. Continuous investments in defense technology, modernization of armed forces, and expansion of military capabilities contribute to the growing requirement for advanced ammunition systems. The production of smart munitions, guided artillery, and enhanced firepower solutions aligns with China’s strategic ambitions for global military influence and self-reliance in defense manufacturing. Law enforcement agencies rely on a diverse range of ammunition for public safety, anti-terrorism measures, and riot control, ensuring operational readiness and the ability to respond to security threats. Ammunition for policing purposes includes standard-duty rounds, specialized less-lethal options, and high-precision cartridges tailored for tactical operations. The increasing focus on maintaining law and order, coupled with advancements in ammunition technology, strengthens the capabilities of China’s security forces. Hunting and sport shooting represent a regulated but growing sector, with controlled access to firearms and ammunition for licensed individuals. Shooting sports, marksmanship competitions, and regulated hunting activities contribute to a steady demand for ammunition in this category. The commercial sector, including private security firms, personal defense applications, and industrial uses, further expands the market. The demand for self-defense ammunition and security-related munitions has risen in response to growing concerns about safety and asset protection. China’s ammunition market continues to evolve, shaped by defense policies, regulatory frameworks, technological innovations, and global security dynamics that influence production, distribution, and advancement across all applications.




Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Ammunition Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product
• Bullets
• Aerial Bombs
• Grenades
• Artillery Shells
• Mortars

By Caliber
• Large Caliber (Above 40mm)
• Medium Caliber (12.7mm to 40mm)
• Small Caliber (Up to 12.7mm)

By Application
• Defense & Military
• Law Enforcement
• Hunting & Sport Shooting
• Commercial Use

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to agriculture industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.