Military Radar Market

Military Radar Size:

The military radar market size reached US$ 16.3 Billion in 2023. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach US$ 23.0 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 3.77% during 2024-2032. The market is experiencing steady growth driven by geopolitical tensions and the necessity for enhanced national security, the rising threat from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and stealth technologies necessitating sophisticated detection capabilities, and modernization initiatives across the global defense sector.

Military Radar Market Analysis:

• Major Market Drivers: Increased geopolitical tensions and the need for sophisticated defense systems are driving the military radar market. Government investments in defense and interventions in military modernization are significantly propelling market growth.
• Key Market Trends: The integration of artificial intelligence in military radar systems is enhancing their accuracy and response times. Additionally, the development of mobile radar systems is gaining importance as military operations become more frequent.
• Geographical Trends: The largest market is in North America, with the US and Canada investing heavily in military technologies. On the contrary, the Asia-Pacific market is growing the fastest, driven by significant investments in border surveillance and air defense by countries such as China and India.
• Competitive Landscape: Some of the major market players in the military radar industry include Airbus SE, BAE Systems plc, Elbit Systems Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., Israel Aerospace Industries, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leonardo S.p.A., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Saab AB, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated and Thales Group, among many others.
• Challenges and Opportunities: The industry faces environmental and regulatory challenges, especially related to frequency spectrum allocations. However, opportunities for market differentiation are emerging in stealth and anti-jamming technologies.
   

Military Radar Market Drivers:

Growing investment in air defense

The escalating investments in air defense systems are among the primary factors driving the military radar market. Along with this, rising air threats and uncertainties in global security from advanced combat aircraft and unmanned aerial systems have necessitated expanded radar capabilities. Additionally, the radar industry is growing due to the need to upgrade many countries existing military establishments, which are essential for countries to counter existing and manage future air battles and safeguard their borders and national interests. Automation of military systems will be a significant area of development in the radar industry. The military industry reveals rapid advancements in technology, and the best way to make information readily available is through automation. Therefore, this is significantly supporting the market.

Rising risk from unmanned aerial vehicles

The accelerating threat level that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) pose is a vital military radar systems market driver as UAVs are significantly used in modern warfare and surveillance. Additionally, they are applied to, among other things, reconnaissance, the delivery of payloads, and actual fighting in combat zones, necessitating fundamental detection and monitoring systems. Thus, military radars must improve to identify, even detect and deter smaller, faster, and lower-flying UAVs that may be stealthed in some schemes to avoid conventional detection systems. As a result, radar technology has seen massive investment in improving resolution and discrimination capabilities. These developments are critical to creating an atmosphere in which defense forces can confidently determine, pursue, and disable UAV threats, thereby ensuring airspace security and battle readiness.

Increasing geopolitical and regional tension

The increasing geopolitical and regional tensions across various global hotspots significantly drive the demand for advanced military radar systems. As nations face escalating disputes over territorial boundaries, economic zones, and political dominance, the necessity to enhance national defense capabilities becomes paramount. This environment compels governments to invest heavily in radar technology to bolster their surveillance, reconnaissance, and threat detection capabilities. In addition, the urgency to maintain continuous and detailed awareness of potential military actions and movements by adversaries is leading to the rapid development and deployment of sophisticated radar systems. These systems are critical for real-time monitoring and decision-making, enabling countries to effectively manage and respond to threats, thereby ensuring national and regional security.

Modernization of defense sector

The modernization of the defense sector is a pivotal market driver for military radar systems, emphasizing the transition from outdated technologies to cutting-edge capabilities in defense equipment. As global military strategies improve and the nature of threats becomes more complex, the imperative for updated radar technology that can provide enhanced situational awareness and precision in hostile environments increases. Moreover, governments around the world are allocating substantial budgets to replace old radar systems with modern variants that incorporate advanced features like electronic steering, multi-functionality, and improved target discrimination. This modernization enhances defense effectiveness and ensures compatibility with contemporary combat and surveillance systems, thereby enhancing overall operational readiness and future-proofing military capabilities.

Military Radar Market Opportunities:

Advancements in radar technology

One of the most significant market opportunities in the market is the development of radar technology. Technological advancements such as active electronically scanned array (AESA) and digital beamforming have enabled significant improvement in radar’s performance concerning range, robustness, accuracy, and even-longed performance over time. These enhancements make it feasible to detect smaller, more hidden, and quicker target movements, which is crucial, particularly in modern-day warfare. AESA Radar Launched the F-16 into the next generation of air power in April’2024. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jackie Zheng, left, avionics specialist, 113th Wing, District of Columbia National Guard, is briefed by Lt. Gen. Michael A. Loh, right, director, Air National Guard, about the soon-to-be-replaced radar now equipped on F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the DCNG at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, June 9, 2022. Additionally, software and data intelligence enhance the capacity to process data while better integrating it into other defense systems, which ultimately translates to improved situational awareness. As the threat environment becomes more complex and hostile, the need for cutting-edge radar electronics is increasing. This implies that this area of the market in the defense industry presents great possibilities for growth in terms of technological innovation. This need for enhancement drives research and development, which, in turn, makes buyers and customers accept more advanced capabilities.

Government budget allocation on military

The allocation of government budgets toward military spending is a major market opportunity for the military radar industry. As governments globally prioritize national security, substantial portions of national budgets are directed toward enhancing and expanding military capabilities, including advanced radar systems. This financial commitment supports the acquisition of new technologies and the upgrade of existing systems to ensure superior defense readiness. The Indian Air Force and Army received approval for new high-power radars and close-in weapon systems from Larsen and Toubro. Deals worth about Rs 13,000 crore were approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security. For the Indian Air Force, a new set of radars as part of a project worth around Rs 6,000 crore is believed to have been cleared by the CCS. In confluence with this, the increase in funding accelerates the development of new radar technologies and stimulates the demand for maintenance and training services related to these systems. This creates a robust market environment, fostering growth opportunities for companies engaged in the design, manufacture, and integration of radar systems, contributing to a dynamic and competitive industry landscape.

Opportunities to target emerging regions

Newly emerging regions experience economic and political development. As a result, the government authorities of mentioned states are ensuring more efforts towards the national defense of their territories. This allows them to safeguard their territory from both internal and external risks, and protects the sovereignty of the land. It results in increased defense budgets of the countries and the need to modernize military solutions. Moreover, companies collaborating in the radar market should take this opportunity to create new partnership opportunities and seize the chance to expand to the newly wealthy markets. Additionally, catering to the needs of these regions and developing convenient radar solutions allows for large contracts in the region, which is propelling the market.

Collaboration among manufacturers

Collaboration among manufacturers in the military radar market presents a significant opportunity for enhancing technological innovation and expanding market reach. Through strategic partnerships, companies can combine resources, expertise, and technology to develop superior radar systems that address the growing complexity of warfare. Eurosam and Thales signed the contract for the delivery and installation of 4 SMART-L MM/N long-range radars to be installed on 2 French and 2 Italian Horizon class frigates, with the first one scheduled for delivery in 2026. This will replace the original S1850 long-range radar and bring a needed capabilities upgrade, ensuring that the ships, introduced in 2007, still find a way to provide reliable protection against the newest threats. Additionally, the partnerships support cost-sharing on research and development and faster technological innovation, facilitating low risks and high operating leverage. Furthermore, the collaborative platforms also provide access to an extensive network of market channels and customers, which is critical in promoting market share and global positioning to enhance competitiveness and resilience. In this manner, synergies support product innovation and a new supply chain design and integration model that resonates with the diverse market and client needs in global defense.

Key Technological Trends & Development:

3D multi beam surveillance radar

Recent advancements in 3D multi-beam surveillance radar technology have significantly enhanced their capabilities, making these systems crucial for military use. These features include improved beamforming techniques and signal processing algorithms, which increase the accuracy and resolution of detection. Consequently, these radars can identify and follow small, faster, and highly maneuverable targets over extensive target ranges. Along with this, the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning has automated the detection and classification of threats, diminishing the workload of the operator and, more importantly, increasing their efficiency in response coordination. Moreover, such technological outlays improve the operational range and capacity of such radars by enhancing the radars' interoperability with other vital defense systems, increase overall situational awareness and strategic response in a deep, dense, and high-intensity combat environment.

Digital beam forming technology

The recent improvements in digital beam-forming technology is making a significant leap forward in the capacity of radar systems. The use of digital signal processing has allowed us to manage radar beams in a much more precise and flexible way, which has made target detection much more accurate and increased its resolution. Moreover, beams can be steered much more rapidly without mechanical movement of the antenna, facilitating quicker and more accurate tracking of multiple targets simultaneously. Additionally, the improvement of the technology has enabled the implementation of complex clutter removal methods, which has greatly enhanced radar performance in congested conditions. Moreover, all of these advancements have allowed for a reduction in size and power requirements, solidifying efficiency and broadening the range of military radar applications.

Leveraging commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies

The use of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) technologies in the military radar market, has been greatly beneficial for both cost efficiency and adaptability of systems. Due to the standardization and wide availability of COTS technologies, it has become very easy to integrate new and updated radar systems, reducing the time of development and costs associated with it. Additionally, the trend toward the use of such technology in advanced systems allows for the rapid deployment of additional functions. Furthermore, recent military radar systems widely utilize components that are interchangeable with commercial systems, thus facilitating the interoperability of such systems across different platforms and joint operations. This approach provides the best possible solutions for the acquisition and support of military radar systems while simultaneously generating incentives for quick and efficient integration by using up-to-date commercial technology.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence in radar

Incorporating machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) into radar technologies has revolutionized military radar systems in recent years. For the air forces, radar can analyze unprecedented amounts of data to assist in interpreting and decision-making. Radar technology has been adapted to enable automatic classification and tracking of objects depending on the nature of the threat. ML algorithms get more refined over time, extrapolating from vast amounts of previous results to ensure a high level of accuracy and reduce false alarms. The AI-enabled radar emits a responsive signal and can respond to changes in its surroundings and new stimuli. Moreover, AI incorporation ensures that radar systems last longer and perform more efficiently by utilizing predictive maintenance. Ultimately, these revolutionary modifications enhance the overall operational efficiency of the radar system and are an integral part of the military’s strategic asset.

Radar anti jamming technologies

Innovations in radar anti-jamming have significantly improved military radar systems’ resistance and performance capabilities against electronic warfare. Some of the recently developed techniques involve adaptive beamforming, which uses varying the radar’s beam shape to mitigate and maintain strong signal quality. In addition, the introduction of cognitive radar techniques that utilize AI to detect and counter attempts to jam radar have become available. The systems do so by varying their parameters and producing new signals adjusted to minimize jamming attempts, such as altering the frequency and power output. These innovations have introduced a new level of dependability in military radar systems while deployed in hostile terrains, guaranteeing consistent, precise, and reliable surveillance and targeting systems, even in electronic warfare environments.

Sensor Technology

The recent advancements in sensor technology within the military radar market have revolutionized the functionalities and capabilities of these devices. For instance, multispectral sensors have increasingly been integrated into strategic radars in current and prospective markets. Such sensors are efficient in that they work across different wavelengths, ranging from infrared to ultraviolet. This technological feature enhances environmental surveillance, and target detection capability has been significantly improved. Additionally, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems have increasingly been integrated into current and new radar systems. This architecture enables high-resolution radar imaging that is indispensable for intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance services in all weather conditions and times. Moreover, sensors have increasingly become smaller. This trend has diversified the platforms on which radars can be deployed due to reduced space requirements. For instance, small sensors can effectively be integrated into unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to enhance surveillance capabilities.

Military Radar Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels for 2024-2032. Our report has categorized the market based on type, platform, frequency band, dimension, and application.

Breakup by Type:

• Surveillance and Airborne Early Warning Radar
• Tracking and Fire Control Radar
• Multi-Function Radar
• Weapon Locating and C-RAM Radar
• Aircraft Bird Strike Avoidance Radar
• Air Traffic Control Radar
• Weather Radar
• Others
   

Surveillance and airborne early warning radar accounts for the majority of the market share

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the type. This includes surveillance and airborne early warning radar, tracking and fire control radar, multi-function radar, weapon locating and C-RAM radar, aircraft bird strike avoidance radar, air traffic control radar, weather radar, and others. according to the report, surveillance and airborne early warning radar represented the largest segment.

The military radar market’s largest type segment is surveillance and Airborne Early Warning (AEW) radars due to their vital role in the present-day defense network. They are essential to a holistic situational perspective by patrolling the airspace 24 hours a day while scanning it for potential threats from many miles away. The capability of operating at full altitude and monitoring a massive territory makes AEW radars critical for early detection of incipient aircraft, missiles, and other airborne objects, prompting immediate defensive or offensive responses. In an environment where border security and protecting the national airspace often necessitate a 24-hour surveillance capability, the importance of this segment multiplies. Large investments in this sector are prompted by the global issues' high tension, which significantly boosts demand for upgrading national security postures.

Breakup by Platform:

• Ground-based
• Naval
• Airborne
• Space
   

Ground-based holds the largest share of the industry

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the platform have also been provided in the report. This includes ground-based, naval, airborne, and space. According to the report, ground-based accounted for the largest market share.

The ground-based platform segment holds the largest share in the military radar market, primarily due to its extensive deployment across varied military operations for border security, battlefield surveillance, and tactical defense. Ground-based radar systems are highly valued for their stability, high-power output, and ability to cover large areas, making them essential tools for detecting and tracking both aerial and terrestrial threats. These systems are often integrated with other defense technologies to create a comprehensive ground surveillance network that is crucial for maintaining situational awareness and enhancing national security. The robust construction and advanced technological capabilities of ground-based radars, including mobility features for some deployable systems, further contribute to their widespread use and dominance in the market. This segment's expansion is continuously supported by technological advancements and increasing defense budgets worldwide, aimed at upgrading and expanding military capabilities.

Breakup by Frequency Band:

• VHF/UHF Band
• L Band
• S Band
• C Band
• X Band
• Ku/Ka/K Band
   

VHF/UHF band represents the leading market segment 

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the frequency band. This includes VHF/UHF band, L band, S band, C band, X band, and Ku/Ka/K band. According to the report, VHF/UHF band represented the largest segment.

The VHF/UHF band is the largest frequency band segment in the military radar market, prized for its robust performance in a variety of operational scenarios. These frequency bands, ranging from 30 MHz to 3 GHz, are especially effective for long-range detection and surveillance, capable of penetrating through obstacles such as foliage and built-up areas, which makes them indispensable for ground surveillance and border security operations. The VHF/UHF radars are also less susceptible to atmospheric absorption and therefore provide reliable performance in diverse weather conditions. Finally, VHF/UHF band radars can efficiently discover and timely follow slow-moving or hovering objects like drones and helicopters. The usage of VHF/UHF band radars is broad within the military and is a field where the demand generates supply, encouraging investment in their continuous improvement due to their role in the landscape of modern patient military radar systems.

Breakup by Dimension:

• 2D Radar
• 3D Radar
• 4D Radar
   

2D radar represents the leading market segment

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the dimension have also been provided in the report. This includes 2D radar, 3D radar, and 4D radar.

The 2D radar systems hold the distinction of being the largest segment within the global military radar market. This prevalence is primarily due to their cost-effectiveness and robust functionality, which makes them an essential component in various defense applications. 2D radars excel in detecting and tracking targets in terms of range and bearing, which is fundamental for air defense and maritime surveillance operations. These systems are widely adopted across the globe due to their proven reliability and simplicity, making them ideal for a range of military needs from tactical border surveillance to large-scale national air defense systems. Their ability to provide real-time information makes them invaluable for decision-making in defense scenarios, thus driving their demand in the military radar market.

Breakup by Application:

• Air and Missile Defense
• Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance
• Navigation and Weapon Guidance
• Space Situational Awareness
• Others
   

Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance represents the leading market segment 

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the application have also been provided in the report. This includes air and missile defense, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, navigation and weapon guidance, space situational awareness, and others.

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) applications is a major segment driving the military radar market. The growing need for enhanced situational awareness and security measures in defense strategies elevates the demand for ISR capabilities. Military radars play a crucial role in ISR by providing detailed data about enemy movements and potential threats, thereby enabling timely and informed decisions. The integration of advanced radar systems with other surveillance technologies enhances the effectiveness of ISR operations, leading to increased adoption. As geopolitical tensions rise and the complexity of security challenges increases, the demand for sophisticated ISR systems continues to grow, reinforcing the position of this segment as a leader in the military radar market.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East
• Africa
   

North America leads the market, accounting for the largest military radar market share

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America represents the largest regional market for military radar.

North America holds the distinction of being the largest regional segment in the military radar market, driven predominantly by the extensive and sophisticated defense infrastructure of the United States. The region’s overwhelming desire to retain its dominance in technology and strategic supremacy makes the development and investment in military radar technology a necessity. In addition, the U.S. Department of Defense does allocate a chunk of its budget to research, development, and deployment of some of the most advanced radar systems globally. Such technologies ensure the safety of the nation from the current arsenal of modern threats, which include more advanced malware systems and ownership of stealth aircrafts. Major defense contractors in the region are leading in radar technology innovations. North America’s military radar sector is likely to expand significantly as a result, driving innovation and market growth.

Analysis Covered Across Each Country:

• Historical, current, and future market performance
• Historical, current, and future performance of the market based on type, platform, frequency band, dimension and application
• Competitive landscape
• Government regulations
   

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape covering market structure, market share by key players, market player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant, among others. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. This includes business overview, product offerings, business strategies, SWOT analysis, financials, and major news and events. Some of the major market players in the military radar industry include:

• Airbus SE
• BAE Systems plc
• Elbit Systems Ltd
• Honeywell International Inc.
• Israel Aerospace Industries
• L3Harris Technologies Inc.
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Raytheon Technologies Corporation
• Saab AB
• Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
• Thales Group
   

Key players within the military radar market are actively participating in R&D to develop innovative radar technology that is more advanced, reliable, and versatile. By integrating state-of-the-art technology such as AI, machine learning, and digital beamforming, these businesses are making their radar systems more capable. Furthermore, strategic associations with governments and other technology businesses have been established to gain a presence on a global scale and meet the rising need for sophisticated defense solutions. These engagements help these players gain a market share quicker and support the development of radar systems for defense applications across the globe.

Analysis Covered for Each Player:

• Market Share
• Business Overview
• Products Offered
• Business Strategies
• SWOT Analysis
• Major News and Events
   

Military Radar Market News:

• Nov 8 2023: BAE Systems’ FAST Labs research and development organization received a $5 million contract from the US Office of Naval Research for the COALESCE program. The program provides for the development of advanced monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) and MMIC module electronics made of Gallium Nitride (GaN).
• October 17, 2023: NASA was given the go-ahead to acquire Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data from Airbus Defense and Space GEO Inc. This will aid in supplementing the agency’s collection of Earth science data. More than 1,500 SAR images from the Airbus U.S. TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X, and PAZ satellites, launched in 2007, 2010, and 2018 respectively, are available. These images cover specific global sites and were acquired between November 2007 and November 2022.
   

Military Radar Market Report Scope:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the global military radar market performed so far, and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the global military radar market?
• What is the impact of each driver, restraint, and opportunity on the global military radar market?
• What are the key regional markets?
• Which countries represent the most attractive military radar market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the type?
• Which is the most attractive type in the military radar market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the platform?
• Which is the most attractive platform in the military radar market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the frequency band?
• Which is the most attractive frequency band in the military radar market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the dimension?
• Which is the most attractive dimension in the military radar market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the application?
• Which is the most attractive application in the military radar market?
• What is the competitive structure of the market?
• Who are the key players/companies in the global military radar market?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the military radar market from 2018-2032.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global military radar market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the military radar industry and its attractiveness.
• The competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides insight into the current positions of key players in the market.