Missile Seekers Market Report 2026

The missile seekers market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $5.64 billion in 2025 to $6.05 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing deployment of guided missile systems requiring reliable seeker technologies, advancements in infrared and radar-based sensing enabling higher target acquisition accuracy, rising demand for precision-strike capabilities in defense operations, growth in military procurement of missiles with enhanced guidance systems, development of dual-mode seekers to improve performance in complex combat environments.

The missile seekers market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.94 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing adoption of multi-sensor fusion seekers for improved tracking and target discrimination, rising investment in next-generation missile guidance technologies to counter evolving threats, increasing demand for seekers with enhanced resistance to electronic warfare and countermeasures, development of compact and lightweight seekers to support advanced missile miniaturization, expansion of defense modernization programs driving procurement of upgraded seeker-equipped missile systems. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of advanced active and passive radar seekers, growth in infrared and multimode missile guidance systems, rising development of hypersonic and supersonic cruise missiles, expansion in air-to-air and surface-to-air missile deployments, focus on cost-effective and high-precision missile guidance solutions.

The rise in international conflicts is expected to support the growth of the missile seekers market in the coming years. International conflicts refer to disputes, hostilities, or tensions that occur between two or more sovereign nations and may take various forms, including diplomatic friction, economic disagreements, trade disputes, or, in more severe cases, military confrontations. Missile seekers play an essential role in such conflicts as they are key components of guided missile systems, designed to detect, track, and direct missiles toward their targets with accuracy. For example, in July 2024, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a US-based nonprofit organization, reported that between July 2023 and June 2024, more than 165,273 incidents of political violence occurred worldwide, reflecting a 15% increase from the previous year. During this period, it was estimated that about one in seven people globally were affected by conflict. Therefore, the increasing number of international conflicts is fueling the growth of the missile seekers market.

Companies in the missile seekers market are engaging in strategic partnerships to develop interoperable aircraft survivability systems. Strategic partnerships involve organizations combining their strengths and resources to achieve shared goals and mutual benefits. For instance, in February 2023, BAE Systems, Inc., a UK-based aerospace and defense company, announced a collaboration with Leonardo UK. The U.S. government authorized both companies to develop an interoperable aircraft survivability suite that integrates Leonardo’s Miysis Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) System with BAE Systems’ AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS). This combined capability significantly enhances an aircraft’s resilience against advanced threats. The Miysis DIRCM system, developed and manufactured by Leonardo in Edinburgh, UK, and chosen by multiple international customers, offers reliable and consistent protection against infrared man-portable air defense systems (IR MANPADS). It disrupts a missile seeker’s head with a powerful burst of coded laser energy capable of countering multiple threats simultaneously.

In July 2023, L3Harris Technologies, a US-based aerospace and defense technology company, acquired Aerojet Rocketdyne for an undisclosed amount. The purpose of the acquisition is to strengthen L3Harris’ propulsion system capabilities and reinforce its position within the defense industrial sector, thereby supporting innovation and boosting competition in critical national security and space mission areas. Aerojet Rocketdyne is a US-based aerospace and defense firm specializing in advanced propulsion systems, including tactical missiles and space launch technologies.

Major companies operating in the missile seekers market are BAE Systems PLC, Leonardo SpA, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, The Boeing Company, Safran SA, Thales Group, Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Limited, Adani Defence And Aerospace, Defence Research & Development Organisation, Koda Technologies Inc., Vem Technologies Private Limited, Analog Devices Inc., Bharat Electronics Limited, Excelitas Technologies Corp., Marotta Controls Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Honeywell International Inc., Collins Aerospace Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Roxel Group, Rheinmetall AG, Saab AB, MBDA Italia SpA, Roketsan A.S., Taurus Systems GmbH, QinetiQ Group PLC, Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc., Orbital ATK Inc., AeroVironment Inc., Textron Inc., General Dynamics Corporation, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc., LIG Nex1 Co. Ltd., Hanwha Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

North America was the largest region in the missile seekers market in 2025. The regions covered in the missile seekers 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 influenced the missile seekers market by increasing the cost of imported missile guidance components, radar systems, and precision electronics, impacting segments such as cruise missiles and interceptor missiles. Regions like North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, which heavily depend on imported technologies, are most affected. While tariffs elevate acquisition and production costs, they also encourage domestic manufacturing, innovation, and the development of locally produced high-precision missile seekers.

The missile seekers market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides missile seekers market statistics, including missile seekers industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a missile seekers market share, detailed missile seekers market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the missile seekers industry. This missile seekers 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.

Missile seekers are compact systems integral to guiding missiles accurately toward their intended targets. These systems utilize radar technology, detecting heat emissions and radar reflections emitted by the target, thereby directing the missile along a precise trajectory.

The different types of missile seekers serve specific purposes in missile technology. They employ radar-based mechanisms to locate and guide missiles towards their targets. Cruise missiles, among them, are notable for their ability to operate within the Earth's atmosphere, delivering destructive payloads remotely and swiftly. These missiles utilize a range of technologies and launch modes to ensure precision and effectiveness in their missions.

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

The missile seekers market consists of sales of missile seekers that are used to guide the missile on the right path of the target. 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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