Aerospace Forging Market By Material Type (Titanium Alloys, Aluminum Alloys, Stainless Steel, Nickel-Based Alloys, Others); By Application (Engine Components, Airframe Components, Landing Gear, Rotors and Shafts, Structural Parts); By Platform (Commercial Aviation, Military Aviation, Business Jets, Helicopters, Spacecraft); By Geography, Segment Revenue Estimation, Forecast, 2024–2030

Introduction And Strategic Context

The Global Aerospace Forging Market will witness a steady CAGR of 6.3% , valued at $31.5 billion in 2024 , expected to appreciate and reach $48.1 billion by 2030 , confirms Strategic Market Research.

 

Aerospace forging refers to the specialized process of shaping high-performance metal components for aircraft and spacecraft using compressive forces. This market encompasses a wide range of forged parts such as engine discs, turbine blades, landing gears, structural components, and shafts. These components are predominantly manufactured from titanium , aluminum , nickel-based alloys , and stainless steel , chosen for their strength-to-weight ratios and high fatigue resistance.

 

The demand for aerospace forgings is being driven by a convergence of macroeconomic and sectoral dynamics:

• Rise in Global Air Traffic : Commercial aviation is recovering rapidly post-pandemic, particularly in Asia-Pacific and North America, triggering a renewed demand for fuel-efficient aircraft which rely on forged parts for durability and weight reduction.

• Defense Modernization Programs : Countries including the U.S., China, India, and NATO members are investing in next-gen fighter jets, transport aircraft, and unmanned aerial systems—all of which require forged components due to their critical performance requirements.

• Sustainability and Lightweighting : Forged aluminum and titanium are preferred due to their role in reducing aircraft weight, thereby improving fuel efficiency and cutting carbon emissions.

Strategically, aerospace forging plays a central role in the value chain of aircraft manufacturing , directly impacting aircraft performance, safety, and lifecycle cost. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as Airbus , Boeing , and Lockheed Martin , along with Tier 1 suppliers like Safran , Rolls-Royce , and GE Aviation , are heavily reliant on forging partners for mission-critical components. Governments, space agencies (NASA, ESA, ISRO), and private players like SpaceX and Blue Origin also contribute to market dynamics by funding advanced aerospace programs.

 

As emerging technologies like additive-subtractive hybrid manufacturing and high-speed forging enter the scene, aerospace forging is poised to remain indispensable while becoming more integrated with digital and automated production lines.

 

Market Segmentation And Forecast Scope

The aerospace forging market can be segmented across four primary axes to provide clarity on growth vectors and strategic investment zones:

By Material Type

• Titanium Alloys

• Aluminum Alloys

• Stainless Steel

• Nickel-based Alloys

• Others (Magnesium, Cobalt, etc.)

Titanium alloys are expected to dominate revenue share in 2024 , accounting for approximately 35.2% , due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance—critical properties for aircraft engine parts and fuselage elements. Meanwhile, nickel-based alloys are projected as the fastest-growing segment during 2024–2030, driven by their high thermal resilience, especially in turbine engine applications.

 

By Application

• Engine Components

• Airframe Components

• Landing Gear

• Rotors and Shafts

• Other Structural Parts

Engine components hold a commanding market share due to the intensive use of forged turbine disks, compressor rings, and shafts. These components operate under extreme thermal and mechanical loads. Landing gear forgings , however, are forecasted to witness strong growth due to rising deliveries of wide-body and cargo aircraft that demand heavier-duty gear assemblies.

 

By Platform

• Commercial Aviation

• Military Aviation

• Business Jets

• Helicopters

• Spacecraft

Commercial aviation continues to be the dominant platform, contributing over 47% of the total market value in 2024 , owing to fleet expansion, especially in high-density travel corridors across Asia and Europe. Spacecraft forging —though niche—is experiencing an accelerated CAGR due to growing investments in reusable rocket programs and LEO satellite constellations by private and public space actors.

 

By Geography

• North America

• Europe

• Asia Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East & Africa

Asia Pacific is poised to register the fastest CAGR , driven by rapid airline expansion, domestic aerospace manufacturing growth in India and China, and robust government defense procurement pipelines. North America, led by the U.S., remains the largest market in absolute value due to mature aerospace infrastructure and defense spending.

Strategically, segmenting the aerospace forging market by material, application, platform, and geography allows stakeholders to identify not just revenue-rich clusters, but also areas ripe for innovation, supplier expansion, and long-term partnerships.

 

Market Trends And Innovation Landscape

The aerospace forging market is undergoing significant technological transformation as the sector aligns with demands for lighter aircraft, higher thrust-to-weight ratios, and greener manufacturing processes. Innovations span materials science, forging automation, digital twin integration, and hybrid manufacturing strategies.

Key Trends Reshaping the Market

 Advances in Near-Net Shape Forging 

• Near-net shape forging is minimizing the need for secondary machining, reducing material wastage, and significantly lowering production time. This is especially prevalent in titanium and nickel alloy parts used in jet engines and landing gear assemblies.

 Hybrid Manufacturing and Additive Forging 

The convergence of additive manufacturing with traditional forging techniques is enabling complex geometries with improved microstructure integrity. For example, forged blanks are being enhanced with additive build-ups to optimize design and reduce part count in assemblies.

AI-Driven Forging Simulation

• Forging operations are increasingly using AI-enabled simulation platforms to predict material flow, residual stress, and potential defects before die creation. This enhances first-pass yield and shortens new product development cycles.

High-Speed and Isothermal Forging Techniques

• High-speed forging, supported by isothermal die heating, is becoming popular for aerospace parts that demand exceptional fatigue resistance, such as turbine blades and rotating shafts.

Sustainable Forging Initiatives

• Environmental mandates are pushing OEMs and forging houses to adopt green energy-powered presses and closed-loop lubrication systems, especially in Europe and North America. Lifecycle assessments are now common in procurement policies, promoting low-carbon sourcing and recycling.

 

Innovation Collaborations and Ecosystem Partnerships

• Airbus and Constellium recently extended their partnership to develop new aerospace-grade aluminum-lithium forgings aimed at reducing fuselage weight in narrow-body jets.

• PCC Forged Products is leading efforts in 3D-printed die technology, drastically cutting lead times and tooling costs for custom aerospace forgings.

• In India, Bharat Forge and Safran have announced a joint R&D center for advanced aerospace components focused on indigenous jet engine and helicopter programs.

• Kobe Steel and IHI Corporation in Japan are co-investing in forging innovations tailored for hydrogen propulsion systems, an anticipated pivot point in green aerospace mobility.

Expert Insight: “Forging is no longer just a brute-force process—it’s becoming digitally intelligent, sustainable, and highly customized. Aerospace players are now viewing forgings not as commodities, but as precision-engineered, value-added systems.”

This innovation trajectory is fostering an environment where aerospace forging firms that invest in automation, smart tooling, and sustainability are significantly outperforming legacy players dependent on volume-centric models.

 

Competitive Intelligence And Benchmarking

The aerospace forging market is characterized by a mix of global conglomerates and highly specialized forging houses that serve both civil and defense aviation. Competition is largely defined by scale, vertical integration, material specialization, and strategic partnerships with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.

 

Key Market Players

Precision Castparts Corp. (PCC)

• A global leader in forged aerospace components, PCC dominates the supply of titanium and nickel-based forgings for engine and structural parts.

• It benefits from deep vertical integration , owning both raw material production and final part machining facilities.

• PCC’s strategic long-term contracts with Boeing , Rolls-Royce , and GE Aviation anchor its global market position.

Kobe Steel Ltd.

• Known for its isothermal forging capabilities, especially in the production of jet engine compressor disks.

• Strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region, with a growing portfolio in hydrogen-compatible alloys for next-gen propulsion systems.

• Collaborates with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and IHI Corporation on Japanese aerospace programs.

Bharat Forge Ltd.

• A key player in military and commercial aerospace forgings in India, expanding aggressively in export markets.

• Partnered with Safran and Rolls-Royce to develop indigenous capabilities in turbine blade forgings.

• Strong government backing under the "Make in India" and defense offset programs positions it as a rising global supplier.

Otto Fuchs KG

• A niche leader in closed-die forging of aluminum and titanium parts for aircraft fuselage and wing structures.

• Works closely with Airbus and Embraer , offering customized, lightweight forgings that reduce assembly complexity.

• Emphasizes sustainability and carbon-neutral production , gaining traction among European OEMs.

Arconic Corporation

• Specializes in forged and machined aluminum and titanium parts for aerospace structures.

• Operates an innovation-led model with focus on aerospace-grade aluminum-lithium alloys.

• Key supplier to Lockheed Martin , Raytheon Technologies , and commercial aircraft platforms.

VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation

• The world’s largest titanium producer, vertically integrated into forging operations.

• Supplies critical titanium forgings to both Russian and international aerospace clients, including Airbus .

• Faces operational constraints due to geopolitical tensions and export restrictions but remains a dominant supplier in titanium.

Scot Forge

• A U.S.-based employee-owned company known for open-die and rolled-ring forgings for aerospace ground support and launch platforms.

• Serves niche applications like satellite support structures and hypersonic vehicle frames , indicating adaptability to emerging defense trends.

 

Competitive Benchmark Summary

Company	Material Focus	Platform Reach	OEM Partnerships	Differentiator
PCC	Titanium, Nickel	Commercial & Military Jets	Boeing, GE, Rolls-Royce	Full vertical integration
Kobe Steel	Nickel, Advanced Steel	Engines & Components	MHI, IHI	Isothermal forging for propulsion systems
Bharat Forge	Titanium, Steel	Defense & Rotorcraft	Safran , Rolls-Royce	Indigenous R&D and cost leadership
Otto Fuchs	Aluminum, Titanium	Structures	Airbus, Embraer	Sustainability + custom geometry forging
Arconic	Aluminum, Titanium	Airframes	Lockheed, Raytheon	Lightweight alloy innovation
VSMPO-AVISMA	Titanium	Engines & Structures	Airbus	Raw titanium control and scale
Scot Forge	Steel, Nickel	Space & Defense	U.S. DoD, NASA	Agile, niche-oriented large-part capabilities

The aerospace forging landscape favors those who align speed, material science, and long-term client integration. As OEMs pursue lighter, faster, and more durable airframes, forging suppliers are shifting from being component vendors to becoming engineering partners.

 

Regional Landscape And Adoption Outlook

The aerospace forging market exhibits strong geographic segmentation, driven by regional manufacturing clusters, military spending, civil aviation growth, and access to critical raw materials. Each region presents a distinct adoption profile shaped by its aerospace ecosystem, regulatory environment, and geopolitical factors.

North America

North America leads the global aerospace forging market, with the United States accounting for the majority of demand and output. This dominance stems from:

• The presence of major OEMs like Boeing , Lockheed Martin , Northrop Grumman , and Raytheon Technologies

• A robust supplier base including PCC , Arconic , and Scot Forge

• High military expenditure under programs such as F-35 modernization, B-21 Raider bombers, and hypersonic vehicle development

Forging demand is deeply integrated into defense manufacturing, as U.S. platforms prioritize performance, lifecycle durability, and parts traceability. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also ensures stringent compliance, pushing suppliers toward advanced metallurgy and automated quality assurance.

 

Europe

Europe is a technology-centric region, with a strong emphasis on sustainable forging practices , traceability, and pan-European defense collaboration. Key growth drivers include:

• Airbus’s expansive assembly footprint across Germany, France, and Spain

• Space propulsion and satellite forging requirements via ESA

• Government-backed innovation funds for hydrogen propulsion and green aerospace metals

 

Germany , France , and the UK are regional leaders, with companies like Otto Fuchs and Aubert & Duval investing in high-precision titanium and aluminum forging.

Europe’s regulatory pressure on carbon emissions is spurring innovations in electric arc and low-emission forging techniques, opening up opportunities for suppliers that demonstrate sustainability compliance.

 

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing regional market , driven by high air traffic growth, emerging aerospace hubs, and rising geopolitical tensions fueling military modernization.

• China is investing heavily in self-reliant aerospace programs, such as COMAC’s C919 and J-20 stealth fighter, sourcing forgings locally to bypass supply chain dependencies.

• India is expanding its indigenous defense capabilities through HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) and private players like Bharat Forge .

• Japan and South Korea focus on engine and rotorcraft forging components, especially for exports and joint ventures.

“Asia is transitioning from a forge-importing region to a forge-producing one,” note experts. This shift is attracting partnerships, investments, and knowledge transfer from Western forging leaders.

 

Latin America

Latin America remains a nascent but strategically relevant market, particularly for commercial aviation forgings.

• Brazil , home to Embraer , is the regional stronghold. Local forging operations support turboprop, regional jet, and defense applications.

• Other countries like Mexico are emerging as nearshore manufacturing centers for U.S.-based Tier 1 suppliers due to labor cost advantages.

However, limited R&D infrastructure and inconsistent regulatory frameworks are barriers to regional expansion.

 

Middle East & Africa

This region is currently underpenetrated but is witnessing modest growth in two areas:

• Defense aerospace in UAE and Saudi Arabia , with forging demand rising for UAVs and tactical platforms

• MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) components for fleets operating in harsh desert climates

While the forging market is small here, sovereign wealth funds and offset requirements are creating investment pathways into localized forging capabilities.

From a global perspective, North America and Europe remain the technological hubs, but Asia Pacific is rapidly catching up in capacity, volume, and ambition—making it a strategic priority for forging OEMs looking to expand production, reduce costs, or localize their supply chain.

 

End-User Dynamics And Use Case

The aerospace forging market serves a diverse end-user base, ranging from large-scale commercial aircraft manufacturers to military forces and private space companies. Each segment has unique specifications, quality standards, and volume requirements, influencing forging techniques and material choices.

Key End-User Categories

Aircraft OEMs

• Commercial aviation manufacturers like Boeing , Airbus , Embraer , and COMAC demand high-volume, precision-forged components for airframes, engines, and landing gear.

• Their forging partners are required to meet strict FAA, EASA, and AS9100 certifications, with just-in-time delivery, long-term supply agreements, and risk-sharing contracts.

• OEMs increasingly require sustainability reporting and digital traceability for every forged part.

Military & Defense Forces

• Defense entities such as the U.S. Department of Defense , NATO , Indian MoD , and Chinese PLA source forged components for fighter jets, transport aircraft, missiles, and unmanned systems.

• Military-grade forgings must meet more stringent fatigue life, temperature resistance, and stealth compliance benchmarks. They are often produced in limited batches with custom alloys and proprietary geometries.

• National security considerations also push for domestic or allied sourcing of forgings, increasing opportunities for localized forging houses.

MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) Providers

• MRO providers worldwide require forged replacements for critical parts like landing gears, rotors, engine rings, and structural spares.

• These end users value shorter lead times, reverse-engineering capabilities, and certified material equivalence to original components.

• The growing aftermarket in Asia-Pacific is pushing forging suppliers to expand post-delivery support services.

Private Aerospace & Space Exploration Companies

• Companies like SpaceX , Blue Origin , ISRO , and Rocket Lab are now significant forging customers, sourcing parts for launch vehicles, satellites, and reusable spacecraft.

• These players prioritize high-temperature alloys and weight-optimized forged components for payload efficiency and reusability.

Helicopter and Rotorcraft Manufacturers

• This includes Bell Helicopter , Airbus Helicopters , Sikorsky , and indigenous rotorcraft developers.

• Forged parts are used extensively in rotors, transmission systems, and airframe mounts, demanding high shock tolerance and low vibration transmission.

 

Use Case Highlight

In 2023, a Tier-1 aerospace forging supplier in South Korea partnered with Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) to support the production of the KF-21 " Boramae " fighter jet. Using near-net shape closed-die forging, the supplier delivered titanium alloy components for the aircraft’s nose landing gear system. The solution offered a 12% weight reduction and a 22% improvement in fatigue life over the previous cast+machined alternative.

“By eliminating excess machining and material waste, we were able to shorten production time by 18%—a key enabler for scaling the KF-21 program into serial production,” stated KAI’s senior procurement engineer.

This example illustrates how end users—especially those in indigenous or fast-track defense programs—value forging not just for material integrity, but for speed, precision, and engineering collaboration. It also underscores the trend of forging suppliers becoming co-developers rather than transactional vendors.

 

Recent Developments + Opportunities & Restraints

Recent Developments (Last 2 Years)

• Precision Castparts Corp. announced the expansion of its titanium forging capabilities in Oregon to support next-gen military aircraft platforms and wide-body commercial jets.

• Bharat Forge secured a strategic partnership with Safran Aircraft Engines to co-develop aero engine components under India’s defense manufacturing initiative.

• VSMPO-AVISMA faced multiple contract reviews and supply restrictions due to international sanctions, prompting aerospace OEMs to diversify their titanium forging supply chains.

• Otto Fuchs inaugurated a new green forging line using electric arc furnaces in Germany to lower carbon emissions from aluminum forging.

• Kobe Steel partnered with IHI Corporation to prototype turbine blade forgings compatible with hydrogen combustion engines.

 

Opportunities

• Demand Surge from Lightweight and Sustainable Aircraft Platforms As airlines and defense agencies seek fuel-efficient designs, there's growing demand for high-performance forged parts made from advanced aluminum-lithium and titanium alloys .

• Localized Forging Ecosystems in Emerging Markets India, Brazil, and the UAE are actively building forging infrastructure for aerospace programs, driven by offset clauses and local content mandates .

• Rise of Space Launch Programs and Reusable Vehicles Forgings for space thrusters, cryogenic engine casings, and reusable landing structures are a rapidly growing niche, with potential long-term contracts from commercial space operators.

 

Restraints

• High Capital and Tooling Costs Setting up and operating aerospace-grade forging facilities requires intensive capital investment , especially for precision closed-die systems and quality inspection automation.

• Supply Chain Risk from Critical Material Concentration The titanium supply chain remains vulnerable due to concentration in countries facing geopolitical risks. OEMs are increasingly cautious about single-source dependency for strategic materials.

These developments reflect a market at the crossroads of innovation, regional diversification, and sustainability mandates . As forging transitions from conventional heavy-industry roots to advanced materials and precision engineering, stakeholders who anticipate geopolitical shifts and embrace green manufacturing stand to gain the most.

 

7.1. Report Coverage Table

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2024	USD 31.5 Billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 48.1 Billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 6.3% (2024 – 2030)
Base Year for Estimation	2024
Historical Data	2019 – 2023
Unit	USD Million, CAGR (2024 – 2030)
Segmentation	By Material Type, By Application, By Platform, By Geography
By Material Type	Titanium Alloys, Aluminum Alloys, Stainless Steel, Nickel-Based Alloys, Others
By Application	Engine Components, Airframe Components, Landing Gear, Rotors and Shafts, Structural Parts
By Platform	Commercial Aviation, Military Aviation, Business Jets, Helicopters, Spacecraft
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Country Scope	U.S., UK, Germany, China, India, Japan, Brazil, UAE, etc.
Market Drivers	- Increasing demand for lightweight aircraft components - Growth in global defense procurement - Expansion of private space exploration initiatives
Customization Option	Available upon request