Satellite Communication In Defense Sector Market Report 2026

Satellite Communication In Defense Sector Market Overview

• Satellite Communication In Defense Sector market size has reached to $6.39 billion in 2025 • Expected to grow to $9.86 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% • Growth Driver: Rising Defense Expenditure Worldwide Fueling The Growth Of The Market Due To Increasing Investments In Secure Military Communication Infrastructure • Market Trend: Technological Advancements Enhance Secure And Resilient Satellite Communication Capabilities In Defense • North America was the largest region in 2025 and Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region.

What Is Covered Under Satellite Communication In Defense Sector Market?

Satellite communication in defense refers to the use of satellite-based systems and infrastructure to enable secure, reliable, and long-range connectivity for defense operations. These systems utilize satellites, ground stations, and network technologies to support communication, information exchange, and operational coordination across geographically dispersed locations. They enhance connectivity, resilience, and mission effectiveness by providing continuous access to communication capabilities in challenging and remote environments. The main components of satellite communication in defense sector include services, hardware, and software. Services refer to communication solutions that enable secure transmission and exchange of information through satellite networks for defense operations. These solutions are available across land based, airborne, naval, and space based platforms and operate through low earth orbit, medium earth orbit, and geostationary earth orbit satellites. They support voice communication, data communication, video communication, and integrated communication systems and the various applications involved are command and control, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, communication and data transfer, navigation and positioning, and electronic warfare.

What Is The Satellite Communication In Defense Sector Market Growth Forecast?

The satellite communication in defense sector market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $9.86 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.0%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for resilient military communication networks, rising defense spending on satellite communication infrastructure, increasing need for high-capacity data transmission, expanding deployment of multi-orbit defense communication systems, growing demand for continuous connectivity during contested operations. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing deployment of multi-orbit satellite communication architectures, growing adoption of high-throughput satellite communication, rising use of protected and anti-jamming communication links, increasing integration of interoperable satellite communication networks, expanding deployment of portable satellite communication terminals.

What Is The Driver Of The Satellite Communication In Defense Sector Market?

The rising defense expenditure worldwide is expected to propel the growth of the satellite communication in defense sector market going forward. Defense expenditure refers to government spending allocated to military forces, defense infrastructure, equipment procurement, research and development, and national security operations. The defense expenditure is due to increasing geopolitical tensions and regional security threats, which have encouraged governments to strengthen their military capabilities and allocate more funds for national security and defense preparedness. Defense expenditure enables advancements in satellite communication in the defense sector by funding the development, deployment, and modernization of secure satellite networks, improving military communication, surveillance, intelligence capabilities, and operational coordination to address evolving security challenges. For instance, in February 2026, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a UK-based defense and security research organization, global defense spending reached USD 2.63 trillion in 2025, up from USD 2.48 trillion in 2024, while spending increased by 2.5% in real terms year over year. Therefore, the rising defense expenditure worldwide is driving the growth of the satellite communication in defense sector industry.

Key Players In The Global Satellite Communication In Defense Sector Market

Major companies operating in the satellite communication in defense sector market are L3Harris Technologies Inc, Viasat Inc, SES SA, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc, Iridium Communications Inc, Rocket Lab USA Inc, Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd, Telesat Corporation, KVH Industries Inc, Impulse Space Inc, AST SpaceMobile Inc, Kepler Communications Inc, AvL Technologies Inc, Skylo Technologies Inc, WORK Microwave GmbH, Ovzon AB, Leaf Space S.r.l., Satcube AB, PolarSat Inc, Quadsat ApS

Global Satellite Communication In Defense Sector Market Trends and Insights

Major companies operating in the satellite communication in defense sector market are focusing on developing innovative solutions such as, low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication constellations to enhance secure military communications, real-time data transmission, battlefield connectivity, and operational awareness. LEO satellite communication constellations are networks of satellites positioned closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites, enabling lower latency, faster data transfer, improved coverage, and resilient communication links for defense operations. For instance, in September 2025, the Space Development Agency (SDA), a US-based defense space organization, launched its first operational Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites as part of its next-generation military communication network. The initial deployment included 21 satellites built by York Space Systems and launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, forming part of a planned constellation of 154 satellites designed to provide secure and high-speed data transport capabilities for military operators. The satellites are designed to support advanced communication functions, including laser communication links between satellites and integration with military user terminals, enabling faster information sharing across defense networks.

What Are Latest Mergers And Acquisitions In The Satellite Communication In Defense Sector Market?

In May 2023, Viasat, Inc., a US-based satellite communications technology company, acquired Inmarsat Global Limited for $7.3 billion. With this acquisition, Viasat, Inc. aimed to create a global leader in satellite communications by combining the companies’ complementary satellite, spectrum, and terrestrial assets, expanding its capabilities across aviation, maritime, government, enterprise, and consumer markets, accelerating innovation in global connectivity services, and strengthening its ability to deliver secure, high-speed, and reliable communications worldwide. Inmarsat Global Limited is a UK-based satellite telecommunications company that specializes in providing global mobile satellite connectivity services for aviation, maritime, government, enterprise, and internet of things (IoT) applications.

What Defines the Satellite Communication In Defense Sector Market?

The satellite communication in defense sector market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as satellite communication system design and deployment, satellite bandwidth services, network management, ground station operations, system integration, maintenance and support, cybersecurity services, and technical consulting. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The satellite communication in defense sector market also includes sales of communication satellites, satellite terminals, antennas, transponders, ground control systems, modems, and satellite network equipment. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

How is Market Value Defined and Measured?

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified). The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

What Key Data and Analysis Are Included in the Satellite Communication In Defense Sector Market Report 2026?

The satellite communication in defense sector market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides market statistics, including industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the market share, detailed market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the satellite communication in defense sector industry. The market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the industry.