Air Defense Radar Market Report 2026

The air defense radar market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $7.54 billion in 2025 to $7.88 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing defense modernization programs driving procurement of tracking and fire control radars, rising geopolitical tensions boosting demand for advanced airspace surveillance capabilities, advancements in radar signal processing and phased-array technologies enhancing detection accuracy, historical expansion of integrated air defense systems adopted by military forces, growth in manufacturer-provided warranty-period maintenance and system support services.

The air defense radar market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $9.38 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing adoption of multi-mission radars capable of tracking diverse aerial threats including uavs and hypersonic weapons, increasing investment in long-range early warning radar systems to strengthen national air defense, rising demand for mobile and rapidly deployable radar platforms for tactical operations, expanding procurement of networked air defense systems integrating sensors and command-and-control solutions, expected growth in lifecycle service packages including training, upgrades, and predictive maintenance for new radar deployments. Major trends in the forecast period include development of integrated multi-function radar systems for enhanced threat detection, miniaturization and mobility of radar systems for tactical deployments, use of advanced signal processing algorithms for higher tracking accuracy, expansion of network-centric air defense systems for real-time coordination, incorporation of stealth detection and countermeasure capabilities in radar systems.

The rising volume of air travel is expected to drive the growth of the air defense radar market in the coming years. Air travel involves the movement of passengers, freight, or mail by airplane between two or more locations. The growth in air travel is fueled by factors such as the rise of low-cost carriers (LCCs), open skies agreements between nations, investments in airport infrastructure, and tourism expansion. Air defense radar plays an indirect role in supporting this growth by ensuring airspace safety and security, which is critical for maintaining the confidence of passengers, airlines, and regulators. For example, in December 2024, Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based government agency, reported that a total of 973 million passengers traveled by air within the EU in 2023, representing a 19.3% increase compared to 2022 (816 million). The data showed that every EU country experienced growth in air passenger numbers compared to the previous year. Hence, the increasing volume of air travel is propelling the air defense radar market.

Leading companies in the air defense radar market are focusing on developing innovative solutions, such as highly mobile ground-based short-range air defense (SHORAD) systems, to improve target detection and response against evolving aerial threats. Advances in AI, signal processing, and network integration are central to enhancing operational efficiency and adaptability. A highly mobile SHORAD system protects forces and critical assets from aerial threats through rapid deployment and repositioning. For instance, in June 2024, Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace, a Norway-based aerospace company, launched a national manoeuvre air defense system. The National Manoeuvre Air Defense System (NOMADS) offers high mobility and versatile threat engagement to safeguard frontline forces from aerial threats. Its integration into NATO frameworks strengthens collective defense capabilities, ensuring rapid response in dynamic combat scenarios.

In October 2024, NewSpring, a U.S.-based private equity firm, acquired C Speed for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, NewSpring aims to broaden its portfolio in the defense technology sector by incorporating C Speed’s advanced radar systems and signal processing solutions to enhance capabilities in electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) applications. C Speed, based in the U.S., manufactures specialized radar systems and signal processing solutions for defense and government agencies.

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 2025. The regions covered in the air defense radar market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs have affected the air defense radar market by increasing costs for imported components such as high-frequency transmitters, phased array antennas, and radar signal processors, particularly impacting manufacturers and military procurement in regions like North America and Europe. Segments such as multi-functional radars and airborne early warning systems are most affected due to the complexity and criticality of components. Positively, tariffs have incentivized domestic manufacturing and innovation in advanced radar technologies, boosting local capabilities and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

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

Air defense radar constitutes a specialized radar system meticulously engineered to detect, monitor, and classify aircraft, missiles, and aerial entities to fortify air defense capabilities. Integral to air defense networks, these radar systems furnish timely alerts of potential threats, facilitating strategic defensive responses. They serve as linchpins in safeguarding airspace, shielding military installations, critical assets, and civilian populations.

The primary products encompassed within air defense radar include synthetic aperture and moving target indicator radar, surveillance radar, airborne early warning radar, multi-functional radar, weather radar, and other specialized variants. These products operate across fixed and portable platforms, spanning ground-based installations, aircraft-mounted systems, and naval deployments. They incorporate diverse ranges, comprising long range, medium range, and short range, tailored for varied applications such as ballistic missile defense, identification friend or foe protocols, weather surveillance, and more.

The countries covered in the air defense radar market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The air defense radar market consists of sales of tracking radars, fire control radars, and integrated air defense systems combining radar. 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.

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.

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