Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Market - By Platform, By Component, and By Application – Global Forecast, 2025 – 2034

Report ID: GMI13609
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Published Date: April 2025
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Report Format: PDF

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Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Market Size

The global aircraft hydraulic systems market size was valued at USD 12.2 billion in 2024, with a volume of 30.9 million units, and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11.5% to reach USD 36 billion by 2034. The growth of the market is attributed to factors such as the rising global air passenger traffic coupled with the increased usage in commercial, military, and UAV platforms.
 

Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Market

The Trump administration's imposition of tariffs caused sharp disruption in the market. Several OEMs and suppliers faced the disruption, when key components from China and the EU were subjected to new import duties. This led to increased volatility in the newly disrupted supply chain, increased procurement costs in defense and commercial aerospace programs, as well as strategic shifts towards localized or diversified sourcing.
 

The new disruption also reduced price profits while putting production schedules on hold, which, in turn, constrained the profit margins of several firms. Moreover, the uncertainty surrounding the long-term trade policy led to a decreased capital expenditure on innovation, which stagnated the development of advanced technologies like hydraulic systems and lightweight structures.
 

The rising global air passenger traffic serves as a primary factor behind the growth of the aircraft hydraulic systems market. With the increasing number of global passengers, there is surge in demand for new aircrafts, particularly in emerging regions such as the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, which incorporates hydraulic systems to ensure critical functions such as landing gear operation, flight control surface actuation, and braking and steering systems.
 

Also, this surging passenger traffic further pushes airline companies towards enhancing operational efficiency and reducing maintenance downtime, which encourages the replacement of older aircraft with modern jets, that incorporates advanced hydraulic systems. Moreover, the rapid urbanization and the disposable income growth are further fuelling the rise of low cost carriers such as IndiGo, AirAsia, and Ryaniar, which operates on high frequency routes. This growing utilization rate of low cost carriers fuels the hydraulic wear and maintenance needs, which supports the market growth. For instance, In September 2023, the global air passenger traffic, measure in revenue passenger kilometre represented a growth of 40% compared to previous year, as stated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).  
 

Manufacturers of aircraft hydraulic systems need to concentrate on creating sophisticated, long-lasting, and low-maintenance hydraulic technology to help drive growing aircraft deliveries, particularly for low-cost carriers, as well as meet the heightened wear caused by high-frequency flights and worldwide passenger traffic expansion.
 

The increased usage in commercial, military, and UAV platforms is another major growth driver for the growth of aircraft hydraulic systems market. The increasing defense spending leads to rise of advanced aircrafts such as F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, and Su-57, requiring high performance hydraulic actuation systems to ensure manoeuvrability, weapon systems, and stealth functionalities, which further expands the high margin defense hydraulic segments. Additionally, the rapid proliferation of UAVs and drone across defense surveillance, agriculture, and logistics sector further drives the demand for compact and low powered hydraulics systems, which are encouraging manufacturers to invest in micro hydraulics and electro hydraulics hybrids, creating a niche opportunity in the market.
 

Aircraft hydraulic system manufacturers need to invest in high-performance systems for next-generation military fighter jets and expand into micro and electro-hydraulic hybrids to tap niche opportunities fueled by proliferation of UAVs across defense, agriculture, and logistics applications.
 

Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Market Trends

  • Manufacturers are increasingly emphasizing towards the development of Electro-Hydrostatic Hybrid Actuators, that combines electric motor with hydraulic pumps to ensure precise and on demand power for air control surfaces while significantly reducing overall system weight and complexity. These actuators offers enhanced reliability, distributed system architectures, and supports the transition towards advanced electric aircraft designs.
     
  • The rapid adoption of lightweight composite material such as carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) for aircraft hydraulic systems, due to their superior strength to weight ratio is a significant trend in the market. These materials significantly reduces aircraft weight, and improves aircraft efficiency, range, & payload capacity.  
     
  • Another significant trend in the market is the rapid adoption of digital twin technologies, which involves creating a replica of aircraft systems to monitor real time behaviour using data from sensors and advanced stimulation. This technology ensures early diagnostic od system failure, predictive maintenance, and performance optimization by leveraging machine learning algorithms. For instance, this digital twin technology can simulate and test hydraulic system responses to different faults, allowing engineers to evaluate and improve diagnostic systems early in the design phase and throughout the operational lifecycle.
     

Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Market Analysis

Aircraft Hydraulics Systems Market, By Platform, 2021-2034 (USD Billion)

Based on the platform, the market is segmented into fixed wing, rotary wing, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
 

  • The fixed wing platform was the largest market and was valued at USD 7.2 billion in 2024. This is primarily due to increased worldwide procurement of military and commercial aircraft, along with the ongoing fleet modernization programs. Moreover, the rapid increase in international air travel is driving demand for advanced narrow and wide body jets, which requires advanced hydraulic systems to ensure flight control actuation, landing gear movements, and braking. Also, the increasing defense spending in North America and Europe has further spurred funding towards next generation fighter jets and strategic bombers, all of which incorporates complex, highly reliable redundant hydraulic systems, further boosting the growth.
     
  • The unmanned aerial vehicle platform is the fastest growing market and is projected to grow with a CAGR of 15.1% during the forecast period. The expansion in this sector is propelled by the increased deployment of unmanned systems in various sectors such as defense, intelligence, logistics, and unmanned commercial applications, all of which require precise control with miniaturized and lightweight hydraulic systems. Also, several military UAVs, which include surveillance, combat drones, and other auxiliary drones, further pushes the demand for miniaturized and high efficiency hydraulic technologies, due to their robust actuation requirements for control surfaces, sensor deployment, and weapon system integration.
     
  • Additionally, the expanding civilian UAV market, which are specifically designed for agriculture, infrastructure promotion, and commercial delivery, further facilitates the growth in demand of scalable electro-hydraulic systems designed for lower power consumption.
     
Aircraft Hydraulics Systems Market Share, By Component, 2024

Based on the component, the aircraft hydraulic systems market is bifurcated into reservoir, pumps, accumulators, actuators, hydraulic fuse, valves, and others.
 

  • The actuators was the largest market and was valued at USD 3.5 billion in 2024. Actuators are experiencing strong growth in the market due to rising demand for advanced flight control systems and precision movement in both commercial and military aircraft.
     
  • With increased aircraft production and fleet modernization, there is surge in demand for reliable and efficient actuators to ensure the management of landing gear, flaps, and thrust reversers. The shift toward lighter and compact systems further contributes towards the development of electro-hydraulic actuators that enhance fuel efficiency and system responsiveness.  
     
  • The valves is the fastest growing market and is projected to grow with a CAGR of 12.8% during the forecast period. Valves are critical for regulating hydraulic flow and pressure, making them essential to aircraft safety and performance. Growth in this segment is driven by the rising complexity of hydraulic circuits in modern aircraft and the need for automated control features. With higher flight hours and operational cycles, demand for durable and fail-safe valves continues to increase, especially in the aftermarket and maintenance sectors.
     

Based on the application, the aircraft hydraulic systems market is categorized into flight control system, thrust reversal system, landing & braking system, and others.
 

  • The landing & braking system was the largest market and was valued at USD 5.2 billion in 2024. Landing and braking systems rely heavily on hydraulic power for gear deployment, steering, and braking. Increased aircraft production, especially for short-haul and regional flights, leads to more frequent landing cycles and greater wear on these systems. This drives strong demand for durable, responsive hydraulic components in both new aircraft and maintenance operations, helping grow the market steadily. Furthermore, stricter regulatory safety standards by aviation authorities are pushing airlines to invest in advanced landing and braking systems with enhanced hydraulic functionality. These regulations promote the adoption of systems with better pressure control, redundancy, and anti-skid performance, further boosting the market for hydraulic components in this segment.
     
  • The flight control system is the fastest growing market and is projected to grow with a CAGR of 12.8% during the forecast period. Flight control systems are a major driver for hydraulic systems due to the need for accurate and responsive movement of aircraft surfaces like flaps, rudders, and elevators. As aircraft technology advances, more airlines and defense programs demand reliable hydraulic support for stable and safe flight. The growing use of larger and more complex aircraft further boosts the need for high-performance flight control hydraulics.
     
  • Additionally, the trend toward lighter and fuel-efficient aircraft is pushing manufacturers to adopt electro-hydraulic systems in flight controls. These systems reduce weight while maintaining the power and reliability of traditional hydraulics, supporting performance and operational cost savings.
     
  • The U.S. dominated the aircraft hydraulic systems market, accounting for USD 3.8 billion in the year 2024. This growth is significantly driven by rising investment in defense and next generation military aircraft, commercial fleet upgrades, and advanced aerospace R&D fuel ongoing demand for high-performance hydraulic systems.
     
  • Additionally, the presence of major OEMs such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon further contribute to increase in domestic demand across both commercial and military platforms. For instance, In March 2025, Boeing has won a pivotal U.S. Air Force contract to develop the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, a sixth-generation aircraft that will be crucial to maintaining American air superiority against China, as stated by Institute of defense and government advancement (IDGA).
     
  • The Germany aircraft hydraulic systems market accounted for USD 691.4 million in the year 2024. The growth in the country is supported by the production of aircraft, specialized competencies in aerospace engineering, and defense partnerships. The country has some of the major manufacturing sites, which results in a strong demand for hydraulic systems for aircraft like the A320neo and A350. Additionally, German companies are also sponsoring the development of lightweight and fuel-saving hydraulic equipment fabrication which coexists with EU green policies.
     
  • Furthermore, the German involvement in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program and other European military collaboration projects further increases the modern military aircraft construction, which drives the demand for advanced hydraulic systems in region.
     
  • The aircraft hydraulic systems market in China is projected to reach USD 4.9 billion by the year 2034. The growth of market in the country is driven by the rapid expansion of commercial aviation industry along with the rapid modernization and fleet upgrades, all of which further drives the investment towards local production for hydraulics actuators, pumps, and valves. Moreover, the growing development of aviation infrastructure and expanding air routes further fuels the demand for aircraft and hydraulics systems, which are essential for their operation and maintenance.
     
  • The Japan market accounted for USD 550.1 million in 2024. The strong aerospace manufacturing base with several major players such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, coupled with the increasing investment from government towards advanced defense programs, which includes acquisition of F-35 fighter jet and F-X sixth generation fighters are the major growth drivers for the aircraft hydraulics systems in the region. Additionally, the growing emphasis towards regional aircraft production further supports the market expansion.
     
  • The India the aircraft hydraulic systems market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 14.3% during the forecast period. The expansion of the country’s air passenger traffic market is stimulating aggressive fleet expansion by major carriers, which in turn increases the need for dependable hydraulic systems training for flight control, braking, and gear operations. Government programs such as Make in India and Defense Acquisition Procedure (DAP), are further promoting the production of military aircraft and components, which in turn enhances the need for domestically manufactured hydraulic systems. Moreover, the developing aviation infrastructure such as new airports and MRO facilities further enhances the growth opportunities along the entire value chain of hydraulic systems.
     

Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Market Share

The market is highly competitive and fragmented with the presence of established global players as well as local players and startups. The top 3 companies in the global market are Parker Hannifin Corporation, Safran, and Eaton collectively accounting for over 15% market share.
 

Leading companies in the market are investing in the next-generation aircraft hydraulics systems solution which prioritizes lightweight material integration, electro-hydraulic actuation, energy efficiency, and compliance with international aviation safety standards such as FAA, EASA, and AS9100. Also, there is a growing emphasis towards the systems, which supports More Electric Aircraft (MEA) initiatives, that are aimed to reduce dependency on traditional hydraulic lines by incorporating electronic controls.
 

The innovation in the market such as smart hydraulic actuators with built-in diagnostics, miniaturized hydraulic solutions for UAVs and urban air mobility (UAM) platforms, and hybrid electro-hydraulic systems, are gaining rapid popularity among manufacturers to ensure superior fuel efficiency and environmental compliance. Additionally, several key application sectors such as commercial aviation, military aviation, and unmanned systems industry are further increasingly integrating advanced hydraulic subsystems to ensure enhanced flight control responsiveness, landing gear reliability, thrust reverser actuation, and emergency backup functions.
 

Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Market Companies

The aircraft hydraulic systems industry features several prominent players, including:

  • Aero Controlex
  • Circor Aerospace
  • Collins Aerospace
  • Crane Aerospace and Electronics
  • Eaton
  • Gar Kenyon
  • Liebherr Aerospace
  • Moog
  • Parker Hannifin
  • PTI Technologies
  • Safran
  • Senior
  • Triumph Group
  • Woodward
     

Collins Aerospace positions itself as a key player focusing on comprehensive systems integration by offering hydraulics as part of a larger suite of aircraft systems. OEM support is strengthened by innovative technology and global MRO networks. As a preferred OEM supplier, Collins Aerospace is also supported by a vast aftermarket. Much of their market strength comes from continuous extensive R&D and established relationship with aircraft manufacturers for solid positioning, especially on narrowed defined market and advanced hydraulic systems.
 

Aero Controlex gained a foothold within the market due to their agility and specialization. They make appealing offers of fully tailored solutions to projects, where there is greater need for flexibility along with quicker response times, such as in niche aircraft or retrofit situations. Cost efficiencies and deep specialization in specific hydraulic components further strengthen their positioning as a valuable focus supplier servicing center in clearly defined, narrow markets where larger players may possess strategic disadvantages.
 

Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Industry News

  • In May 2024, Bell has selected Eaton hydraulic technology to power the U.S. Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft. Eaton will supply the aircraft’s hydraulic power generation and hydraulic conveyance components in addition to oil swivels, hydraulic panels and maintenance-free accumulators. Eaton has been a member of Bell’s FLRAA team for the last decade, supporting system design and analysis; component design, qualification and integration; and flight testing.
     
  • In September 2022, Parker Aerospace announced that Boeing selected Parker to supply the AP15V engine-driven pump (EDP) for the hydraulic system of the B-52H Stratofortress. The long-range heavy bomber is being modernized, undergoing a major overhaul including the Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP) by the U.S. Air Force. The Parker AP15V EDP (also referred to as the World Pump) is expected to sustain the aircraft’s hydraulic system until the 2050s.
     

The aircraft hydraulic system market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue (USD Million) and volume (Million Units) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

By Platform

  • Fixed wing
  • Rotary wing
  • Unmanned aerial vehicles

By Component

  • Reservoir
  • Pumps
  • Accumulators
  • Actuators
  • Hydraulic fuse
  • Valves
  • Others

By Application

  • Flight control system
  • Thrust reversal system
  • Landing & braking system
  • Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

  • North America 
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Europe 
    • Germany
    • UK
    • France
    • Spain
    • Italy
    • Netherlands
  • Asia Pacific 
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
  • Latin America 
    • Brazil
    • Mexico
    • Argentina
  • Middle East and Africa 
    • Saudi Arabia
    • South Africa
    • UAE
Authors: Suraj Gujar , Kanhaiya Kathoke
Frequently Asked Question(FAQ) :
Who are some of the prominent players in the aircraft hydraulic systems market?
Key players in the sector include Aero Controlex, Circor Aerospace, Collins Aerospace, Crane Aerospace and Electronics, Eaton, Gar Kenyon, Liebherr Aerospace, Moog, Parker Hannifin, PTI Technologies, Safran, Senior, Triumph Group, and Woodward.
What was the value of the U.S. aircraft hydraulic systems industry in 2024?
How big is the global aircraft hydraulic systems market?
Which platform was the largest in the aircraft hydraulic systems industry in 2024?
Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Market Scope
  • Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Market Size
  • Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Market Trends
  • Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Market Analysis
  • Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Market Share
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    Base Year: 2024

    Companies covered: 14

    Tables & Figures: 556

    Countries covered: 19

    Pages: 180

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