Simulators Companies

The simulators market is estimated to be valued at USD 13.63 billion in 2025. It is projected to reach USD 19.35 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2025 to 2030. The market encompasses the design, development, and support of simulation systems used to train personnel without exposing them to operational risks or high costs. Simulators are increasingly used for mission rehearsal, pilot certification, emergency response, and equipment maintenance training.

The growth of the simulators market is driven by the increasing demand for realistic, cost-effective training solutions across the defense, aviation, maritime, and industrial sectors. Key growth drivers include rising defense modernization programs, commercial pilot shortages, regulatory mandates, and the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and cloud computing. Leading players in the market include CAE Inc., Thales Group, Rheinmetall AG, Saab AB, L3Harris Technologies, and FlightSafety International.

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Major Simulators Companies Include:

• CAE Inc. (Canada)
• General Dynamics Corporation (US)
• Kongsberg Gruppen (Norway)
• Thales Group (France)
• SAAB AB (Sweden)

CAE Inc.  (Canada)

CAE Inc. is a global leader in providing simulation and training solutions, specifically in the civil aviation, defense, and security markets. Established in 1947 and based in Montreal, Canada, CAE has grown its business to more than 250 locations and training establishments in over 40 countries with about 13,000 employees.

CAE provides 56% of the installed base of commercial airline simulators worldwide. These include a series of high-fidelity full-flight simulators, such as the CAE 7000XR series. The company delivers complete pilot training programs. Its business model has shifted to prioritizing training services over the production of simulators. This is due to the rising need for pilot training, with estimates showing a demand for 255,000 new airline pilots between 2017 and 2027. CAE simulation training centers deploy cutting-edge technologies to deliver realistic and efficient training centers.

CAE provides platform-independent training and simulation solutions for boosting operational readiness in the defense industry. Its focus on innovation and quality has enabled it to become a simulation-based training industry player.

GENERAL DYNAMICS CORPORATION (US)

General Dynamics Corporation is a major US defense contractor and a major manufacturer of armored vehicles. Its General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) business division produces these vehicles. The company is best known for producing some of the most common and combat-tested armored combat vehicles, including the M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank, Stryker 8x8 Armored Vehicle Family, and the M10 Booker mobile protected firepower vehicle, recently procured by the US Army.
The company’s GDLS division is skilled in designing, manufacturing, and maintaining wheeled and tracked armored vehicles designed for battlefield superiority, mobility, and survivability. It supports large vehicle upgrade and digitization programs with next-generation technologies, such as active protection systems (APS), hybrid-electric propulsion, and open-system architectures.

General Dynamics has captured major foreign orders, supplying platforms to allies like Egypt, Australia, and Poland. However, it is still part of the US Army modernization programs, such as Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicles (OMFV) and Mobile Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD). The company’s global logistics, lifecycle maintenance, and modularity of vehicle configurations make it more strategic. Moreover, with the growing demand for highly mobile, networked, and survivable ground systems, General Dynamics is a principal supplier to NATO and allied militaries worldwide.

Kongsberg Gruppen (Norway)

Kongsberg Gruppen is a leading international simulation and training provider in the maritime and defense industries. Its flagship product, the K-Sim platform, is equipped with high-fidelity simulation solutions for navigation, engine room operations, cargo operations, and dynamic positioning for civilian and military use. These simulators are created to provide improved operational effectiveness, safety, and adherence to global standards like the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW).

Kongsberg’s simulation solutions are utilized globally, including at training facilities in Sweden and Greece, to enhance crew expertise and lower emissions through efficient operations. Kongsberg has also created cloud-based products, such as K-Sim Navigation CLOUD, providing remote and hybrid learning capacity for maritime experts. Kongsberg’s simulators also enable the design and testing of autonomous ship operations, contributing to maritime autonomy advancements.

Kongsberg provides the CORE™ Training Simulator, offering virtual training environments for armed forces, enabling cost-efficient and flexible training solutions for the defense industry. Additionally, its dedication to innovation and sustainability makes it a central figure in the changing environment of simulation-based training.

Thales Group  (France)

Thales Group is a global leader providing simulation and training solutions to the military, civilian aviation, and critical infrastructure markets. Through its subsidiary, Thales Training & Simulation Ltd., the company offers an extensive range of high-fidelity simulators and turnkey training solutions adapted to varied operational requirements. Thales provides comprehensive training systems covering the defense industry’s land, air, and naval environments. Its products consist of driving simulators for various military vehicles, virtual training environments for air force training, and maritime patrol aircraft simulators with realistic sensor and weapons system simulations. These systems facilitate individual and collective training, allowing forces to prepare for composite missions within digitized battlespace environments.

Thales is also a major civil aviation training player with simulation-based solutions for helicopter and aircraft pilots. Its products cover conventional fixed and full-motion simulators to cutting-edge augmented, virtual, and mixed-reality trainers. Thales is also the second-largest global supplier of simulation-based pilot training solutions.

The company’s innovation drive can be seen in initiatives like PERCEVAL, a research project on improving pilot training through behavioral assessment and evidence-based approaches. Moreover, with an international footprint and a wide range of products, Thales is in a prime position to address the changing needs of the simulation and training market and support improved operational readiness and safety across all sectors.

Saab AB (Sweden)

Saab AB is a global provider of advanced simulation and training solutions, particularly for defense. Through its Saab Training and Simulation, based in Huskvarna, Sweden, the company provides a spectrum of live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) training systems to enhance readiness for operation in the land, air, and naval environments.

Saab’s products range from high-fidelity simulators, such as the BT46 Laser Simulator and Carl-Gustaf Trainer, to revolutionary systems, such as the GAMER Manpack—a lightweight capability that provides real-time exercise control and data recording for field training. The Personnel Detection Device (PDD) adds realism to training with real-time simulated hit and injury feedback.

Saab has developed training systems to simulate intricate operations, such as littoral combat and amphibious assault for naval forces. Additionally, its collaboration with Argon Electronics has led to the creation of advanced CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) live training solutions, bringing together technologies such as PlumeSIM and Saab’s GAMER system. The company’s commitment to innovation and adaptability ensures that its simulation and training solutions address the changing needs of today’s armed and naval forces, providing realistic, scalable, and interoperable training environments designed to maximize mission readiness and effectiveness.

Market Ranking Analysis, 2024

The top five players in the simulators market have been ranked based on their revenue figures across market sectors, product portfolios, individual product performance, recent advancements, and geographic reach. It is also based on diversification and innovation strategies, growth initiatives, partnerships, and technological advancements. The ranking also considers the companies’ presence and leadership in key regional markets to help determine their level of competitive positioning.

Related Reports:

Simulators Market by Type (Full Flight, Full Mission, Tactical Training, Fixed Base, Full Mission Bridge, Part-Task Trainers, Operational Workstation, C2, ATC, Vessel Traffic), Platform, Solution, Technique, Application, Region - Global Forecast to 2030

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