Automated aerial refueling market to top $1.2 billion by 2030

The automated aerial refueling system market is projected to grow from $0.84 billion in 2026 to $1.21 billion by 2030, driven by defense spending, autonomous aviation demand and longer mission endurance needs. North America led the market in 2025, while Asia-Pacific is expected to grow fastest.

Why it matters: - Automated aerial refueling is becoming a key enabler of longer-range military operations and unmanned missions. - The market’s projected rise to $1.21 billion by 2030 signals expanding defense investment in autonomous aviation systems. - Rising demand for precision fuel transfer and reduced pilot workload is accelerating adoption.

What happened: - The Business Research Company published its Automated Aerial Refueling System Global Market Report 2026 – Market Size, Trends, And Forecast 2026-2035. - The report says the global automated aerial refueling system market will grow from $0.76 billion in 2025 to $0.84 billion in 2026. - The report projects the market will reach $1.21 billion by 2030. - The report places North America as the largest regional market in 2025. - The report identifies Asia-Pacific as the fastest-growing region over the forecast period.

The details: - The market is forecast to post a 10.1% CAGR in 2026 and a 9.7% CAGR from 2026 to 2030. - Growth in the earlier period reflects demand for longer aircraft endurance, more military aerial missions, wider UAV adoption, safer mid-air refueling and fleet upgrades. - Future growth is expected to come from fully autonomous refueling systems, lower pilot workload, unmanned combat operations, precise refueling and higher defense investment in autonomous aviation. - The report highlights automated refueling alignment, precision fuel transfer controls, autonomous mission management, reliable in-flight fuel transfer, and automated training and simulation tools as key trends. - Automated aerial refueling systems use sensors, control algorithms, communication networks and guidance systems to align aircraft and manage fuel flow with less manual control. - The systems are designed to improve safety, efficiency, dependability, mission endurance and operational flexibility. - The report covers Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East and Africa. - The 2026 report adds market attractiveness scoring, TAM analysis, company scoring matrix graphics and tables, Excel-based forecasting dashboards, market hotspots infographics, key technology analysis and updated graphics and tables. - The report offers a free sample and the full market report online: free sample and full report.

Between the lines: - The growth thesis is tied to broader defense modernization, not just niche aviation procurement. - SIPRI reported in April 2025 that global military spending rose from $2.443 trillion in 2023 to $2.718 trillion in 2024, a $275 billion increase and 9.4% growth. - That spending backdrop points to more funding for tanker systems, autonomy and mission support technologies. - The regional split suggests mature demand in North America and faster new adoption in Asia-Pacific.

What's next: - The market is expected to keep expanding as militaries push autonomous refueling capability into regular operations. - Future competition is likely to center on precision, reliability, mission automation and training tools. - Defense budgets and unmanned combat requirements will remain the main demand drivers.

The bottom line: - Automated aerial refueling is moving from a specialized capability to a strategic defense technology with a path to surpass $1.2 billion by 2030.