The air defense radar market has seen considerable growth due to a variety of factors.
• The market size of the air defense radar has experienced significant growth in recent years. It's projected to expand from $7.18 billion in 2024 to $7.59 billion in 2025, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%.
This growth during the historic period can be credited to events such as military clashes and geopolitical tensions, the creation of integrated air defense networks, the progression of stealth and electronic warfare abilities, as well as upgrade and modernization initiatives for current air defense systems.
The air defense radar market is expected to maintain its strong growth trajectory in upcoming years.
• In the coming years, it is anticipated that the air defense radar market will maintain a stable growth trajectory, exponentially growing to a valuation of $9.04 billion by 2029 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%.
Several factors driving this estimated growth in the projected period include the emergence of multi-role and multi-mission radar systems, a shift towards mobile and expeditionary air defense solutions, a focus on network-centric warfare and interoperability, a surge in the need for radar systems possessing counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (c-ram) capabilities, along with rising investments. Key trends forecasted for the same period include the rising interest in countering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones, long-range surveillance with high-resolution capabilities, the incorporation of artificial intelligence and machine learning for threat identification and classification, the development of air defense capabilities in budding markets, and the embracing of next-generation radar technologies to improve situational awareness.
The air defense radar market is projected to grow due to the escalating numbers of air travel. Air travel, which refers to the transfer of passengers, cargo, or mail via airplane from one place to another, is rising due to factors like the advent of low-cost carriers, open sky treaties between countries, investments in airport infrastructure, and the growth of tourism. Air defense radar indirectly bolsters the volume of air travel by guaranteeing airspace safety and security, which is crucial to uphold the trust of passengers, airlines, and regulatory bodies in air travel safety. For instance, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, a U.S. government agency, reported that in 2022, U.S. airlines transported 853 million passengers. This is a surge of 194 million passengers or 30% compared to the 658 million passengers in 2021. Hence, the escalating volume of air travel is driving the air defense radar market.
The air defense radar market covered in this report is segmented –
1) By Product Type: Synthetic Aperture And Moving Target Indicator Radar, Surveillance Radar, Airborne Early Warning Radar, Multi-Functional Radar, Weather Radar, Other Product Types
2) By System Type: Fixed, Portable
3) By Platform: Ground-Based, Aircraft-Mounted, Naval-Based
4) By Range: Long Range, Medium Range, Short Range
5) By Application: Ballistic Missile Defense, Identification Friend Or Foe, Weather Forecasting, Other Applications
Subsegments:
1) By Synthetic Aperture And Moving Target Indicator Radar: Ground Surveillance Radar, Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) Radar
2) By Surveillance Radar: 2D Surveillance Radar, 3D Surveillance Radar
3) By Airborne Early Warning Radar: AWACS (Airborne Warning And Control System), AEW (Airborne Early Warning) Systems
4) By Multi-Functional Radar: Fire Control Radar, Target Tracking Radar
5) By Weather Radar: Doppler Weather Radar, Terminal Doppler Weather Radar
6) By Other Product Types: Electronic Warfare Radar, Ground Control Approach Radar
Leading companies in the air defense radar market are innovating and introducing new products such as highly portable ground-based short-range air defense systems to bolster target identification and counter emerging aerial risks. The role of AI, signal processing, and network integration becomes crucial in strengthening operational efficiency and flexibility. A very mobile ground-based short-range air defense system (SHORAD) offers protection to forces and key assets from air-borne threats by swift deployment and relocation. As an example, Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace, an aerospace firm based in Norway, introduced a national manoeuvre air defense system in June 2024. The national manoeuvre air defense system (NOMADS) delivers high mobility and adaptable threat engagement safeguarding frontline troops from aerial threats. Its incorporation into NATO structures amplifies collective defense abilities, guaranteeing swift reaction in fluctuating combat situations.
Major companies operating in the air defense radar market are:
• RTX Corporation
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• General Dynamics Corporation
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• BAE Systems plc
• L3Harris Technologies Inc.
• Thales Group
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• Rheinmetall Defence Electronics GmbH
• CACI International Inc.
• Babcock International Group
• MBDA Missile Systems
• Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
• Indra Sistemas SA
• Kongsberg Gruppen ASA
• Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
• Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co KG
• Aselsan AS
• Hensoldt AG
• QinetiQ Group plc
• Saab AB
• Ultra Electronics Holdings plc
• Terma AS
• RADA Electronic Industries Ltd.
• Elta Group
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the air defense radar market in 2024. The regions covered in the air defense radar market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.