Explosive detectors are advanced technological systems designed to identify and analyze explosive materials through non-destructive inspection methods. These detectors use various detection techniques, including bulk and trace detection, to ensure safety in critical environments such as airports, military operations, and public venues.
The primary types of explosive detectors are vehicle-mounted, robotic, handheld, and biosensors. Vehicle-mounted detectors are installed on vehicles and enable the scanning of large areas for explosive threats while the vehicle is in motion. Detection technologies include trace detectors and bulk detectors, serving various end users such as military and defense, cargo and transport, aviation, public spaces, and other sectors.
The explosive detectors market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides explosive detectors market statistics, including explosive detectors industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a explosive detectors market share, detailed explosive detectors market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the explosive detectors industry. This explosive detectors market research report delivers a complete perspective on everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.
The explosive detectors market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $8.61 billion in 2024 to $9.5 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing incidences of terrorist attacks, high adoption of explosive detectors in vulnerable areas, government legislation for enhanced security, increasing government funding in the aerospace and defense sector, and population growth.
The explosive detectors market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $13.96 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to investment in security infrastructure, large number of security merchants, immigration rate, increasing demand for tighter screening process, growth in the cargo and transportation sector. Major trends in the forecast period include automatic security equipment, sensor technology, increase in the use of wireless devices, trace detectors, technology advancements in explosive detection.
The increasing concerns about bomb threats and illegal activities are expected to drive the growth of the explosive detector market. Bomb threats and criminal acts pose significant security risks that necessitate advanced explosive detection systems to ensure public safety and prevent harm. These concerns are fueled by rising global terrorism, criminal activities, and security incidents, which heighten the need for effective detection and prevention measures. Explosive detectors play a crucial role in such scenarios by enabling the rapid detection of explosive materials and ensuring timely responses to mitigate potential risks. For example, in August 2023, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, a US-based government agency, reported that institutions of higher education experienced 64 bomb threats in 2021, with this number rising sharply to 353 in 2022 an increase of approximately 450%. Consequently, the growing concerns about bomb threats and illegal activities are expected to drive demand for explosive detectors.
Major companies in the explosive detector market are advancing security automation and real-time threat analysis with solutions such as dual-view X-ray scanners to improve detection capabilities. These scanners provide more detailed images and reduce the chance of missed threats. A dual-view X-ray scanner utilizes two X-ray generators positioned at different angles to capture two images of scanned objects simultaneously, offering a more comprehensive view and minimizing the need for multiple scans. For example, in October 2022, Smiths Detection, a UK-based company specializing in threat detection and screening technologies, introduced the HI-SCAN 7555 DV. This compact dual-view X-ray inspection system delivers superior image quality, smart display functions, and easy integration into tray handling systems, making it efficient for high-threat screening applications. It includes automatic explosives detection, optional weapon detection, and robust protection against cyber threats. The system's lightweight and compact design facilitate easy deployment, while its excellent steel penetration, high image resolution, and smart display functions enable accurate and rapid differentiation between organic and inorganic materials.
In August 2023, SoundThinking, a US-based public safety technology company, acquired SafePointe LLC for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition enables SoundThinking to enhance its SafetySmart platform by integrating proven detection capabilities for firearms, tactical knives, and explosives. SafePointe LLC, also based in the US, specializes in intelligent weapons detection technology, with a particular emphasis on identifying firearms, tactical knives, and explosives.
Major companies operating in the explosive detectors market are Hitachi Ltd., L-3 Technologies Inc., Leidos Holdings Inc., Elbit Systems Ltd., Bruker Corporation, OSI Systems Inc., Smiths Detection Inc., Cobham PLC, Nuctech Company Ltd., Analogic Corporation, American Science and Engineering Inc., Morpho Detection, Kromek Group Plc., Autoclear LLC, Mistral Security Inc., Westminster International Ltd., Scanna MSC Ltd., CEIA SpA, ICx Technologies Inc., InVision Technologies, Pendar Technologies LLC, MS Tech Ltd
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the explosive detectors market in 2024. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the explosive detectors market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the explosive detectors market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The explosive detectors market consists of sales of products such as trace detection systems, bulk detection systems, X-ray inspection systems, ground penetrating radar, and chemical detection systems. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Explosive Detectors Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on explosive detectors market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for explosive detectors ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The explosive detectors market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers the growth trajectory of COVID-19 for all regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets.
The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.
Scope
Markets Covered:1) By Product Type: Vehicle-Mounted; Robotics; Handheld; Biosensors
2) By Technology: Trace Detectors; Bulk Detectors
3) By End User: Military And Defense; Cargo And Transport; Aviation; Public Places; Other End Users
Subsegments:
1) By Vehicle-Mounted Explosive Detectors: Fixed Vehicle Systems; Mobile Vehicle Systems; Integration with Surveillance Systems; Specialized Vehicles
Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
Time series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
Data segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
Delivery format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. Explosive Detectors Market Characteristics
3. Explosive Detectors Market Trends And Strategies
4. Explosive Detectors Market - Macro Economic Scenario Macro Economic Scenario Including The Impact Of Interest Rates, Inflation, Geopolitics And Covid And Recovery On The Market
5. Global Explosive Detectors Growth Analysis And Strategic Analysis Framework
5.1. Global Explosive Detectors PESTEL Analysis (Political, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal Factors, Drivers and Restraints)
5.2. Analysis Of End Use Industries
5.3. Global Explosive Detectors Market Growth Rate Analysis
5.4. Global Explosive Detectors Historic Market Size and Growth, 2019 - 2024, Value ($ Billion)
5.5. Global Explosive Detectors Forecast Market Size and Growth, 2024 - 2029, 2034F, Value ($ Billion)
5.6. Global Explosive Detectors Total Addressable Market (TAM)
6. Explosive Detectors Market Segmentation
6.1. Global Explosive Detectors Market, Segmentation By Product Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Vehicle-Mounted
Robotics
Handheld
Biosensors
6.2. Global Explosive Detectors Market, Segmentation By Technology, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Trace Detectors
Bulk Detectors
6.3. Global Explosive Detectors Market, Segmentation By End User, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Military And Defense
Cargo And Transport
Aviation
Public Places
Other End Users
6.4. Global Explosive Detectors Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Vehicle-Mounted Explosive Detectors, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Fixed Vehicle Systems
Mobile Vehicle Systems
Integration with Surveillance Systems
Specialized Vehicles
6.5. Global Explosive Detectors Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Robotics Explosive Detectors, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Ground Robots
Aerial Drones
Underwater Robots
Collaborative Robots
6.6. Global Explosive Detectors Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Handheld Explosive Detectors, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Metal Detectors
Trace Detectors
Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) Detectors
Multi-Gas Detectors
6.7. Global Explosive Detectors Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Biosensors, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Enzyme-Based Sensors
Microbial Sensors
Immunosensors
Nanosensors
7. Explosive Detectors Market Regional And Country Analysis
7.1. Global Explosive Detectors Market, Split By Region, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
7.2. Global Explosive Detectors Market, Split By Country, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion