Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth and Forecast 2034

Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Industry Prospective:

The global aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles market size was worth around USD 53.5 billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow to around USD 83.9 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 4.6% between 2025 and 2034.

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Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Market: Overview

Aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF), a subset of firefighting, encompasses the emergency response, mitigation, evacuation, and rescue of passengers and crew members from aircraft involved in aviation accidents and incidents. When aircraft are operating at airports with planned passenger traffic, firefighters and their equipment have to be always on standby and ready to go. Airports could be subject to regulatory surveillance by a branch of their own national governments or willingly follow International Civil Aviation Organization guidelines.

The growth of the global aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles industry is driven by several factors such as growth in air passenger traffic, stringent aviation and safety regulations, airport infrastructure development, and others.

Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 4.6% over the forecast period (2025-2034).
• In terms of revenue, the global aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles market size was valued at around USD 53.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 83.9 billion by 2034. 
• The expansion in air passenger traffic is expected to drive the aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles market over the forecast period.
• Based on the type, the Drive 6x6 segment is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period.
• Based on the application, the civil airport segment is expected to dominate the market expansion over the projected period.
• Based on region, North America is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.

Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Market: Growth Drivers

Increased airport infrastructure development drives market growth

Advanced ARFF vehicles are becoming more and more in demand as airports modernize and expand to handle larger aircraft and more passenger traffic. Modern firefighting equipment is essential for new and renovated airports to meet stringent safety regulations and ensure prompt response times. New runways, terminals, and support facilities are being built as part of this growth, all of which demand increased ARFF resources.

Additionally, the adoption of cutting-edge technology, such as autonomous and eco-friendly ARFF vehicles, is frequently facilitated by airport expansion, which propels additional market development. Therefore, a major driver of more investment in ARFF vehicles is the development of airport infrastructure.

Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Market: Restraints

High initial investment and maintenance costs hinder market growth

The high initial capital investment and ongoing maintenance expenses connected with these specialized vehicles are two of the main factors limiting the growth of the aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles market.

Particularly for governments or small and medium-sized airports in developing nations, these budgetary obstacles may discourage procurement. Extreme performance, fire suppression, and rescue capabilities are all built into ARFF vehicles. Depending on size, agent capacity, technology, and compliance needs, a single unit may cost anywhere from $500,000 to $1.5 million.

Furthermore, these vehicles have high-performance parts that require regular servicing, such as powertrains, turrets, pumps, and thermal imaging systems. Complexity and expenses are increased by pressured systems and foam systems, particularly with the more recent fluorine-free formulations.

Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Market: Opportunities

The rising delivery of ARFF vehicles offers a lucrative opportunity for market growth

The rising delivery of ARFF vehicles is expected to offer a lucrative opportunity for the expansion of the aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles industry over the analysis period.

For instance, in December 2024, two Oshkosh Airport Products Striker® 6x6 Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles were delivered to Chile's Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC), according to a statement released by Oshkosh Airport Products, a division of Oshkosh Corporation. Keeping the customer's entire Oshkosh ARFF fleet at both airports, the new cars will improve emergency response capabilities at Chacalluta de Arica and Araucanía de Temuco. This delivery demonstrates DGAC's faith and confidence in Oshkosh's superior, cutting-edge ARFF vehicles.

Two Oshkosh Airport Products Striker 6x6 ARFF vehicles were purchased by DGAC as part of a continuous effort to equip its fleet with cutting-edge machinery that can handle the demanding requirements of certain operating scenarios.

The Striker's large water capacity and cutting-edge fire suppression systems, designed to address these specific challenges, are highly beneficial to Chacalluta de Arica Airport, located in one of the driest regions in South America.

The new Striker at Araucanía de Temuco Airport will also improve response efficiency due to its firefighter-friendly cab design and cutting-edge TAK-4® Independent Suspension system.

Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Market: Challenges

Limited replacement cycle poses a major challenge to market expansion

One major barrier to the aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicles market is a short replacement cycle. Due to their long-term service and durability, these vehicles don't need to be replaced very often, which slows down repeat business and lowers consistent demand. In general, ARFF vehicles are made to last 15 to 20 years, depending on maintenance, usage, and climate.

Additionally, airports with well-funded maintenance departments can maintain ARFF vehicles long beyond their typical lifespans. Part replacements and retrofit initiatives help increase functionality. Furthermore, as long as vehicles pass inspections, strict replacement requirements might not apply to smaller or lower-category airports (ICAO Categories 4–6).

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Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Market: Report Scope

Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Market: Segmentation

The global aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles industry is segmented based on type, application, and region.

Based on the type, the global aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles market is bifurcated into Drive 6x6, Drive 4x4, and Drive 8×8. The Drive 6x6 segment is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period. These vehicles are perfect for medium to large airports that need high-performance, all-terrain fire response capabilities, as they provide improved off-road mobility, a big capacity for firefighting agents, and faster response times. The expansion and upgrading of airports worldwide are contributing to a significant increase in revenue for this category.

Based on the application, the global aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles industry is bifurcated into civil airports and military airports. The civil airport segment is expected to dominate the market expansion over the projected period. The increase in commercial aviation, regulatory requirements, and rising international airport infrastructure expenditure are the main drivers of this segment's expansion.

In response, manufacturers are offering specialized solutions for various airport types, ranging from high-capacity 6x6 and 8x8 units for international gateways to small 4x4 trucks for regional terminals.

Aircraft Rescue And Firefighting Vehicles Market: Regional Analysis

North America dominates the market over the projected period

North America is expected to dominate the global aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles market. High-performance ARFF vehicles are constantly in demand, as the US and Canada, which are home to some of the busiest airports in the world, place a high priority on sophisticated firefighting capabilities.

Airport expansions and renovation initiatives throughout the region also contribute to market growth because modern amenities demand cutting-edge fire and rescue apparatus. Furthermore, the emphasis on technological innovations, including self-driving cars and environmentally friendly systems, aligns perfectly with North America's broader focus on sustainability and innovation.

Major ARFF vehicle manufacturers in the area enhance market competitiveness and accelerate the adoption of innovative technology, ensuring the industry's continued expansion.

On the other hand, the Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the projected period. Increased enforcement of international safety standards, aggressive airport infrastructure development, and growing aviation traffic are the main drivers of regional growth.

As they construct new airports or renovate existing ones to accommodate increasing passenger volumes, nations such as China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and Australia are leading the way in meeting this demand. 

Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles Market: Competitive Analysis

The global aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles market is dominated by players like:

• Oshkosh Corporation
• Grove US LLC
• Magirus GmbH
• Rosco Vision Systems
• FIRETRUCKS UNLIMITED
• Daimler AG
• E-ONE
• Pierce Manufacturing
• Alberta Fire & Rescue
• KME Fire Apparatus
• Ferrara Fire Apparatus

The global aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles market is segmented as follows:

By Type

• Drive 6x6
• Drive 4x4
• Drive 8×8

By Application

• Civil Airport
• Military Airport

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa