Military Radars Market

Global Military Radars Market:

The global military radars market size reached USD 16.9 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 23.3 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6% during 2025-2033. The rising defense modernization programs, technological advancements, growing demand for space-based radar systems, and the escalating defense budgets are propelling the market growth.

Military Radars Market Analysis:

• Major Market Drivers: The rising incidence of cross-border and territorial conflicts across the globe is one of the key factors driving the market growth. Additionally, the widespread product adoption in bombers and combat aircraft to avoid obstacles, control air-to-air missiles, locate hostile weapons, and find surface targets, is acting as another growth-inducing factor.
• Key Market Trends: Various technological advancements, such as the development of modern active electronically scanned array radars, are providing a thrust to the market growth. Moreover, the rapid upgradation of existing defense infrastructure, along with the increasing demand for advanced portable radars, is anticipated to drive the market toward growth.
• Competitive Landscape: Some of the military radars market top companies 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.
• Geographical Trends: According to the military radars market dynamics, North America exhibits a clear dominance in the market. North American countries, particularly the United States and Canada, invest heavily in upgrading their radar systems to enhance situational awareness, detection capabilities, and response times.
• Challenges and Opportunities: Cybersecurity risks and stringent regulatory compliances are hampering the market growth. However, many countries are modernizing their defense forces, driving the demand for state-of-the-art radar systems to enhance situational awareness and response capabilities.

Military Radars Market Trends:

Rising Global Security Threats

The increasing global security threats, such as terrorism, regional conflicts, and geopolitical tensions, drive the demand for advanced radar technologies. For instance, terrorist-related deaths surged by 22% in 2024, reaching 8,300, the highest amount since 2017. In 2023, conflict zones were the site of more than 90% of terrorist acts and 98% of terrorism deaths. Also, from a majority of 234 countries and territories monitored by ACLED, 168 countries experienced at least one conflict in 2023. Military radars play a crucial role in surveillance, early warning systems, and threat detection, thereby boosting their adoption.

Increased Government Spending

Defense spending by governments worldwide influences the procurement of radar systems. For instance, according to an article published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, total global military expenditure reached US$ 2443 billion in 2023, up 6.8% in real terms from 2022. This was the most dramatic year-over-year increase since 2009. Also, Japan allocated US$ 50.2 Billion to its military in 2023, 11% more than in 2022. Countries with expanding defense budgets allocate significant funds for radar technology to enhance national security, contributing to the military radars market share.

Technological Advancements

Rapid advancements in radar technology, including phased array radars, AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radars, and digital signal processing, enhance radar capabilities such as range, accuracy, and target detection. For instance, in May 2024, General Radar Corporation, a US-based developer and manufacturer of high-resolution and long-range multi-mission Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) phased array radars, launched the Radar-as-a-service to monitor airborne threats. These technological improvements attract investments and stimulate the military radar systems market revenue.

Global Military Radars Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global military radars market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product type, platform, frequency band, dimension, and application.

Breakup by Product 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 represented the largest segment

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the military radars market based on the product 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 currently exhibits a clear dominance in the market.

According to the military radars market outlook, governments invest heavily in surveillance radar to monitor their airspace and maritime borders for threats such as unauthorized aircraft, ships, or potential security breaches. Moreover, AEW radar systems are integral to military operations, providing early detection and tracking of enemy aircraft and missiles. These systems enhance situational awareness and help in coordinating defensive and offensive maneuvers.

Breakup by Platform:

• Ground-based
• Naval
• Airborne
• Space
   

Ground-based platform holds the largest market share

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the military radars market based on the platform. This includes ground-based, naval, airborne, and space. According to the report, ground-based platform holds the largest market share. 

According to the military radars market overview, ground-based radars are integral to IADS, which integrates multiple sensors and weapons systems to provide comprehensive defense coverage against aerial threats. Moreover, advances in radar technology, such as digital signal processing, phased array antennas, and software-defined radars, are driving demand as they offer improved detection capabilities, reduced false alarms, and enhanced target discrimination.

Breakup by Frequency Band:

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

VHF/UHF band represented the largest segment

A detailed breakup and analysis of the military radars market based on the frequency band has also been provided in the report. 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 accounts for the majority of the total market share. 

VHF and UHF frequencies offer better propagation through dense foliage, urban environments, and atmospheric conditions compared to higher frequency bands like X-band or Ku-band. This makes them suitable for ground surveillance radars deployed in cluttered environments. Moreover, VHF and UHF bands are commonly used in OTH radar systems, which can detect targets beyond the line of sight, such as aircraft and ships, over long distances. These radars are critical for early warning and monitoring of airspace and maritime activities.

Breakup by Dimension:

• 2D Radar
• 3D Radar
• 4D Radar
   

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

2D radar provides information about the range and azimuth (horizontal angle) of targets. It detects targets and provides their locations in terms of distance and bearing relative to the radar. While 3D radar adds the capability to determine the elevation or altitude of targets in addition to range and azimuth. This means it can provide a more complete positional view of detected targets in three-dimensional space. Moreover, 4D radar includes the ability to track the movement of targets over time, adding the fourth dimension of time to the three spatial dimensions (range, azimuth, and elevation). This enables the prediction of target positions and trajectories into the future.

Breakup by Application:

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

A detailed breakup and analysis of the military radars market based on the application has 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.

Radars are critical for detecting and tracking incoming ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. They form the backbone of integrated air defense systems (IADS), providing early warning, and target acquisition capabilities. Moreover, radars play a crucial role in ISR missions by providing real-time information on ground movements, surface vessels, and airborne threats. Apart from this, radars are essential for precise navigation, especially in low visibility conditions, and for guiding weapons to their targets.

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
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

North America accounts for the largest 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); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America currently dominates the global market.

Ongoing military modernization efforts by countries, such as the United States and Canada, drive significant investments in radar technologies. These programs aim to upgrade existing radar systems, enhance capabilities, and integrate advanced technologies to maintain superiority in defense capabilities. Moreover, North America, particularly the United States, allocates substantial budgets to defense spending. For instance, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, defense spending by the United States accounted for nearly 40% of military expenditures by countries around the world in 2023. The U.S. defense spending increased by US$ 55 billion from 2022 to 2023. Radar systems are a critical component of these expenditures, as they are essential for air defense, missile defense, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Detailed profiles of all major market companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the market 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
   

(Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.)

Military Radars Market Recent Developments:

• May 2024: General Radar Corporation, a US-based developer and manufacturer of high-resolution and long-range multi-mission Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) phased array radars, launched the Radar-as-a-service to monitor airborne threats.
• December 2023: SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying SARah 2 and 3 radar satellites for the German military.

Military Radars Market Report Scope:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC's report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the military radars market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global military radars 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 radars 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.