The global military support in service/maintenance market earned revenues of $50.73 billion in 2013 and this will reach $63.58 billion by 2022, at a compound annual growth rate of 2.5 percent, according to a new report.
Frost & Sullivan, in its Global Military Support in Service Platforms Market Assessment, noted that North America is likely to be the biggest military SIS (support in service) platforms market globally. However, it is the Asia-Pacific market that is likely to register the highest compound annual growth rate. The study covers 5 main SIS activity segments: line maintenance, heavy maintenance, spare parts, modernisation/upgrades, and training.
The heavy maintenance segment has the highest potential for revenue generation among military support in services, as the defence sector is evolving into a support in service oriented market, Frost & Sullivan said. The expensive cost of new combat platforms purchases, along with budget pressures, is compelling the defence sector to extend the lifecycles of military platforms far beyond the original average of 30 years. This translates to substantial revenues for military SIS providers.
Additionally, as older platforms require heavier, more intensive, and expensive maintenance, most original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will experience higher revenues from maintenance and retrofit contracts.
Innovations such as additive manufacturing are supporting the SIS market by enabling deployed, frontline units to print required parts on site from available materials such as aluminium, plastic, titanium and steel. This has revolutionised access to necessary parts for potential life-saving military equipment by allowing spares to be produced on the spot instead of having to be shipped.
“Acknowledging the rising sophistication of weaponry and tightening budgets, defence contractors are expected to provide SIS packages as a part of the main contract for the supply of modern combat platforms,” said Frost & Sullivan Aerospace & Defence Industry Analyst Dominik Kimla, PhD. “They will also be seeking to enter into partnerships with local military SIS providers by setting up joint-ventures and strategic partnerships due to the growing role of local companies.”
This collaborative approach is in line with the industrialisation policy of governments, aimed at enhancing national capabilities through technology transfers and local partnerships.
“Defence suppliers must demonstrate the ways in which outsourcing of SIS can lead to reduced operational costs in the next five to seven years,” noted Kimla. “This is critical, as Ministries of Defence are looking for methods to reduce costs and simultaneously improve the readiness of their forces.”
Overall, the market will continue to grow despite the cutbacks in the defence sector, as governments all over the world are attempting to streamline their spending and outsource SIS activities to private companies, Frost & Sullivan said.
