Commercial And Military Flight Simulation Market Size, Share, Growth and Industry Analysis, By Type (Commercial Full Flight Simulators, Commercial Flight Training Devices, Commercial Flight Training Services, Military Full Flight Simulators, Military Flight Training Devices, Military Flight Training Services), By Application (Commercial, Military), Regional Insights and Forecast From 2025 To 2034

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COMMERCIAL AND MILITARY FLIGHT SIMULATION MARKET OVERVIEW

The global commercial and military flight simulation market size is estimated at USD 14.01 billion in 2025 and expected to rise to USD 22.36 billion by 2034, experiencing a CAGR of 5.34% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034.

The United States Commercial and Military Flight Simulation market size is projected at USD 4.72 billion in 2025, the Europe Commercial and Military Flight Simulation market size is projected at USD 3.52 billion in 2025, and the China Commercial and Military Flight Simulation market size is projected at USD 3.69 billion in 2025.

A commercial and military flight simulator is a device that artificially recreates aircraft flight and its environment for pilot instruction, design, and other uses. It entails reproducing the equations that govern how aircraft fly, how they respond to flight control applications, the effects of other aircraft systems, and how the aircraft responds to external elements such as air density, turbulence, wind shear, cloud, precipitation, and others. Flight simulation is used for a variety of purposes, including pilot instruction, aircraft design and development, and research into aircraft characteristics and control handling skills.

In general language and technical texts, the phrase "flight simulator" may have slightly different meanings. Previously, it primarily referred to machines that could precisely simulate the behavior of airplanes during various processes and flight situations. This is now referred to as a "full flight simulator" in more recent definitions. The more comprehensive word "flight simulation training device" (FSTD) is used to refer to several types of flight training equipment, and it more nearly matches to the meaning of the phrase "flight simulator" in general English.

KEY FINDINGS

COVID-19 IMPACT

Drop in Pilot Hiring Affected the Market Growth

The COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to the market's growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The COVID-19 epidemic resulted in a significant decrease in pilot employment and training as airlines cut operations and laid off pilots. As a result, fewer pilots were recruited and trained, resulting in a dramatic drop in demand for flight simulator and simulator training services.

Due to financial constraints during the pandemic, airlines delayed non-essential aircraft maintenance and improvements. Because fewer aircraft were being maintained, there was less demand for simulator-based maintenance training and simulator updates. However, as the aviation industry gradually recovers, it is expected that demand for pilots and aircraft maintenance will rise again during the predicted period. This will increase demand for airplane simulators and contribute to the industry's growth following the epidemic.

LATEST TRENDS

Defense Ministry Of India Announced The Procurement Of 2 Fixed Base Full Mission Simulators

The Defense Ministry of India announced the purchase of two fixed base complete mission simulators for the Jaguar aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in November 2021. The simulators would be purchased by the IAF for a total of INR 357 crore and placed at Air Force Stations in Jamnagar and Gorakhpur. Because of a number of other related advancements, this market sector is likely to grow at a rapid pace throughout the forecast period.

• According to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), simulator training hours for military pilots increased by 22% in 2023, totaling over 1.5 million hours across all branches, reflecting growing reliance on simulation over live flight time due to cost and safety factors.

• As per the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), over 60 commercial aviation training centers in Europe integrated VR-based simulators in 2022–2023, enhancing procedural training with an estimated 35% reduction in classroom dependency.

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COMMERCIAL AND MILITARY FLIGHT SIMULATION MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

By Type, the market is fragmented into Commercial Full Flight Simulators, Commercial Flight Training Devices, Commercial Flight Training Services, Military Full Flight Simulators, Military Flight Training Devices, and Military Flight Training Services.

By Application

By Application, the market is bifurcated into Commercial and Military.

DRIVING FACTORS

Retiring of Pilots to Fuel Market Growth

One of the primary difficulties confronting many airlines and aviation industries throughout the world is a pilot shortage. The scarcity is primarily due to many pilots retiring as they get older, and not enough pilots are hired each year. For example, the Regional Airline Association said in June 2022 that a growing pilot shortage threatens the collapse of local community air service. However, scarcity of pilots lead to the expansion of the commercial and military flight simulation market growth.

Use of Simulators in Combat Training to Drive Market Forces

Simulators provide realistic combat training, allowing military pilots to hone their skills and practice different combat scenarios. They simulate the dynamics of aircraft operation, weapon systems, and tactical scenarios, allowing military pilots to practice combat abilities like air-to-air battles, air-to-ground attacks, and precise targeting in a safe and controlled environment. They provide a less expensive alternative to actual flight hours, lowering the costs involved with military pilot training.

• According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the aviation industry will require at least 350,000 new pilots by 2030, with flight simulation programs handling over 70% of core competency training for commercial pilots in 2023.

• Based on data from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), member countries conducted over 18,000 simulated combat missions in 2023, highlighting growing reliance on high-fidelity military simulators to cut live-fly costs and improve mission planning accuracy.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Huge Financial Investments to Restrain Market Growth

Flight simulator development and manufacture necessitate substantial financial inputs. The advanced technology used in them, such as realistic visuals, cockpit controls, and other electronic systems, is quite expensive. Furthermore, simulators must be updated on a regular basis to match changing aviation standards, which adds to the investment expenditures. High initial investments result in greater expenses for end customers like as airlines, aviation schools, and the military.

• According to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), setting up a Level D full-flight simulator can cost between $8 million and $20 million, making it financially burdensome for smaller aviation schools and regional defense contractors.

• As reported by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) UK, more than 40% of international flight schools experienced delays in simulator certification in 2023 due to varying national standards, impacting deployment timelines and cross-border pilot training.

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COMMERCIAL AND MILITARY FLIGHT SIMULATION MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Asia Pacific To Be The Leading Region Owing To Several Development Programs

The Asia Pacific area is expected to increase the most during the projection period. The Asia Pacific region's significant increase in military spending is a major driving element in the military aircraft market's quick rise. This region is currently dealing with political and territorial concerns, which are driving up demand for aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for border monitoring and protection. In addition, governments are investing in the integration of cutting-edge technologies to improve the effectiveness of training. The demand for military aviation training and simulation in this region is being driven by innovation and the requirement for improved aircraft simulators.

With China's escalating military aggression, a number of Asian countries are seeking to upgrade both their offensive and defensive capabilities. As a result, various fighter jet procurement and development programs have occurred over the years. As a result, the demand for simulators to teach pilots to operate jets successfully and effectively has expanded manyfold. As a result, many national governments have increased their simulator capabilities, leading the commercial and military flight simulation market share.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Market Players to Employ Tactics In Order to Amplify Market Position

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• Cubic Corporation (USA): According to defense procurement data from the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Cubic Corporation delivered over 500 advanced simulation units to U.S. and allied forces in 2023, supporting both fixed-wing and rotary-wing pilot readiness.

• Alsim Flight Training Solutions (France): Based on findings from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Alsim installed more than 140 flight training devices across aviation academies in Europe and Asia in 2023, with models certified for Multi-Crew Coordination (MCC) and Jet Orientation Courses (JOC).

List of Top Commercial And Military Flight Simulation Companies

• Cubic Corporation (USA)
• Alsim Flight Training Solutions (France)
• L3 Link Simulation & Training (USA)
• ELITE Simulation Solutions (USA)
• HAVELSAN A.S. (Turkey)
• L3 Technologies(USA)
• Elbit Systems Ltd. (Israel)
• The Boeing Company (USA)
• Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc. (Canada)
• Thales Group (France)
• CAE(Canada)
• Rockwell Collins(USA)
• FRASCA International(USA)
• TRU Simulation + Training Inc. (USA)
• FlightSafety International(USA)
• Lockheed Martin Corporation (USA)

REPORT COVERAGE

The report's devoted part informs about the impact of COVID-19 and its succeeding variant outbreaks on demand, supply, price, vendor uptake, and recommendations for long-term outcomes. The updated study contains insights, analyses, projections, and predictions for the market, considering the COVID-19 impact. The research profiles a report with extensive studies describing the firms in the market affecting the forecasting period. Detailed studies also offer a comprehensive analysis by inspecting factors like segmentation, opportunities, industrial developments, trends, growth, size, share, restraints, and others. This analysis is subject to alteration if the key players and probable analysis of market dynamics change.