The global search and rescue helicopter market was valued at USD 2,044.66 million in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period. The growing demand for highly advanced and improved rescue helicopters among many countries for several purposes, including for law enforcement, public safety, performing critical missions, and others, along with the growing deployment of these helicopters to assist in mass evacuations during natural disasters, are primary factors influencing the global market growth. Additionally, the increasing penetration for hardware improvements and integration of advanced software for helping pilots and other rescue personnel in SAR operations and introducing more developed SAR helicopters worldwide will further bode well for the market growth in the coming years.
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For instance, in December 2022, Rovers SAR introduced its new helicopter highline rescue system, significantly improving the response times in getting people to safety and allowing teams to rappel down easily. The company estimates that the newly developed system will reduce the search and rescue team works by about 25%.
Moreover, key manufacturers of the market are highly focused on integrating cutting-edge technologies into their helicopters, such as satellite flight following & communication, improved ground proximity sensors, night vision capable cockpits, and many others, and a surge in the number of companies offering SAR helicopters or SAR services, which enable more civil and commercial entities to operate these fleets.
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the growth of the search and rescue helicopter market. The rapid spread of the pandemic has disrupted the global supply chain, causing delays in the delivery of several critical components, equipment, and spare parts, affecting the production and delivery of search and rescue helicopters. It has further decreased demand for search and rescue services in various areas, such as mountain and hiking accidents, due to imposed travel restrictions and lockdown measures across the globe.
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Growth Drivers
The increasing cases of several types of natural disasters, mountain accidents, and maritime incidents all over the world, coupled with the high advancements in helicopter technology, such as improved avionics, communication systems, and advanced sensors, have made search and rescue helicopters more capable and efficient, and allow them to operate in challenging conditions and reach remote areas easily, are major factors projected to drive the search and rescue helicopter market growth at a significant pace. Furthermore, many governments around the world are increasing their spending on search and rescue operations to improve the safety and security of their citizens, and there has been a significant growth in offshore oil and gas exploration activities, which has increased the demand for these helicopters to ensure the safety of workers on these rigs in case of an emergency, are also fueling the global market and growth.
The market is primarily segmented based on component, type, end-use, and region.
By Component |
By Type |
By End-Use |
By Region |
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The rescue equipment segment accounted for the largest market share in 2022. The growth of the segment market can be mainly attributed to its ability to offer lower operational costs and robust high-end products, along with the surge in rescue operations due to adversities, including natural calamities. In addition, the rapid rate of urbanization and constant increase in the focus on human safety across the globe is further likely to impact the market positively.
The engine segment is anticipated to grow substantially over the coming years, which can be largely accelerated to rise in the fleet of helicopters widely used for both commercial and military SAR applications. The increasing focus of major manufacturers of the market towards enhancing the performance of the engine, especially in a situation when the helicopter is under stress, is also likely to positively impact the segment market.
The heavy segment is projected to grow at the fastest growth rate during the anticipated period on account of its extreme rescue operations capabilities and wide range of benefits associated with it, including carrying significant rescue equipment, powerful engines, and longer flying range along with the exponential growth in military budgets and surge in need for modernization across several major economies.
The medium segment led the industry market with significant revenue share in 2022, mainly due to its wide range of beneficial properties and rapidly increasing prevalence for performing operations such as remote hill search & rescue, maritime, and lifting tasks in several extreme conditions. In addition, these helicopters can easily perform various missions, expanding the deployment of medium helicopters in firefighting and beyond, propelling the segment market at a rapid pace.
The commercial & military segment held a significant market revenue share with a considerable growth rate in 2022, owing to the widespread adoption of these helicopters for performing numerous operations, such as emergency medical services, private patrolling, and many others, that commercial and civil users are conducting on their own. The rapidly ongoing energy exploration projects, surveillance activities, and rescue and evacuation activities are other factors that boosted the segment market growth in the last few years.
The military segment is projected to grow steadily over the coming years due to the rising demand for combat SAR activities and the high prevalence among militaries worldwide to replace aging fleets with new and technologically advanced helicopters. The incorporation of next-generation technology in military and rescue helicopters and the growing development of tilt helicopters by key market companies is further likely to aid the market in growing further.
The North American region dominated the global market with the maximum share in 2022 and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the study period. The robust presence of large search and rescue companies focusing on several types of SAR missions like urban research, mountain rescue, cave rescue, and combat search and rescue, coupled with the well-distributed SAR responsibilities across the region. In addition, the rising number of military modernization programs and increased procurement of advanced lightweight helicopters, especially from the U.S. Army, is propelling the market's growth.
The Asia Pacific region is expected to be the fastest-growing region, with a healthy CAGR during the anticipated period. The growth of the market can be mainly driven by the growing use of helicopters providing various vital services & products during natural disasters like floods and earthquakes, coupled with the increasing focus of major global helicopter manufacturers to set up their manufacturing plants in the APAC region due to presence of favorable policies for foreign companies especially in countries like India, China, and Indonesia.
Some of the major players operating in the global market include Lockheed Martin, Leonardo., Hindustan Aeronautics, Bell Textron, Airbus S.A.S., Babcock International, Bristow Group, Elbit Systems, PHI Aviation, Boeing Company, Kawasaki Heavy, MD Helicopters, Robinson Helicopter Company, Russian Helicopters, and Hindustan Aeronautics.
Report Attributes |
Details |
Market size value in 2023 |
USD 2,113.15 million |
Revenue forecast in 2032 |
USD 2,905.13 million |
CAGR |
3.6% from 2023– 2032 |
Base year |
2022 |
Historical data |
2019– 2021 |
Forecast period |
2023 – 2032 |
Quantitative units |
Revenue in USD million and CAGR from 2023 to 2032 |
Segments covered |
By Component, By Type, By End-Use, By Region |
Regional scope |
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America; Middle East & Africa |
Key companies |
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Leonardo S.p.A., Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., Bell Textron Inc., Airbus S.A.S., Babcock International, Bristow Group Inc., Elbit Systems, PHI Aviation LLC, The Boeing Company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., MD Helicopters, Robinson Helicopter Company, Russian Helicopters, and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. |
key companies in search and rescue helicopter market are Lockheed Martin, Leonardo., Hindustan Aeronautics, Bell Textron, Airbus S.A.S., Babcock International, Bristow Group, Elbit Systems, PHI Aviation.
The global search and rescue helicopter market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period.
The search and rescue helicopter market report covering key segments are component, type, end-use, and region.
key driving factors in search and rescue helicopter market are rise in search and rescue operations for civilians and security purposes.
The global search and rescue helicopter market size is expected to reach USD 2,905.13 million by 2032.