Big defence to keep more than 80% of weapons market through 2033 despite drone surge

Defence giants are expected to retain their dominance of the global weapons market over the next decade, according to a new report by BCG and Vertical Research Partners.The report found that established players who produce complex weapons will still account for more than 80 per cent of the market in 2033, even as markets for cheaper mass-produced systems like drones grow at a faster pace.Diana Dimitrova, leader of BCG's UK aerospace and defence practice, said: "Both defence tech companies and established contractors will grow, but the majority of spending will remain with traditional players delivering major platforms and complex systems."Complex systems still dominate spendingResearchers assessed how many complex military capability programmes could realistically be replaced by "affordable mass" alternatives by 2033.