SWIR Market Report 2026

The swir market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.54 billion in 2025 to $2.74 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in defense surveillance needs, adoption of machine vision in manufacturing, demand for non-destructive testing technologies, increased use in scientific research, early industrial inspection applications.

The swir market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.62 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to integration with ai-based image analytics, rising demand for automation and quality assurance, expansion of smart factories, increasing use in autonomous systems, technological advancements in swir sensor materials. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of swir imaging in industrial inspection, rising use of swir cameras in defense and surveillance applications, growing integration of swir sensors in automated manufacturing systems, advancements in uncooled swir camera technologies, expansion of swir imaging in food and pharmaceutical quality control.

The anticipated growth in military and defense investments is set to drive expansion within the SWIR market. This sector encompasses the development, manufacturing, and provision of military equipment, technologies, and services aimed at national defense and security. The upsurge in military and defense industries is fueled by rising geopolitical tensions, advancements in technology, and the increasing necessity for national security and defense modernization efforts. These investments propel the adoption of SWIR technology, particularly in imaging, to enhance capabilities in surveillance, reconnaissance, and target identification. For instance, in October 2025, according to the House of Commons Library, a UK-based library, defense spending is projected to reach about $79.1 billion (£62.2 billion) in 2025/26 and increase to approximately $93.4 billion (£73.5 billion) by 2028/29, reflecting an average annual real growth rate of 3.8% during this period. This underscores the pivotal role of increased defense investments in driving growth in the SWIR market.

Major companies operating in the SWIR market are developing innovative technologies, such as shortwave infrared (SWIR) cameras, to gain a competitive edge in the market. SWIR cameras are advanced imaging devices that use InGaAs and related sensors to capture wavelengths beyond visible light, enabling improved material inspection, quality control, and scientific imaging. For instance, in August 2024, Teledyne FLIR IIS, a US-based industrial imaging solutions provider, launched the Forge 1GigE SWIR camera series featuring Sony SenSWIR IMX990 sensors. These cameras cover wavelengths from 400 nm to 1700 nm and are designed for applications such as semiconductor inspection, environmental monitoring, and recycling. They deliver precise, high-speed imaging for industrial and scientific use, enhancing detection accuracy and operational efficiency.

In July 2024, Onsemi, a US-based semiconductor manufacturing company, acquired SWIR Vision Systems for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, onsemi aims to integrate SWIR Vision Systems’ quantum-dot-based short-wave infrared (SWIR) imaging technology into its CMOS sensor portfolio, enhancing imaging solutions for industrial, automotive, and defense applications. SWIR Vision Systems is a US-based company that develops CQD (colloidal quantum-dot) SWIR sensors to extend imaging capabilities beyond traditional limits.

Major companies operating in the swir market are Raptor Photonics Ltd., Leonardo DRS Inc., Hamamatsu Corp., Jenoptik AG, FLIR Systems Inc., Gooch & Housego Plc, Teledyne DALSA Inc., Sofradir, Lynred, Xenics NV, Sensors Unlimited Inc., InView Technology Corporation, IRCameras LLC, Episensors Inc., Allied Vision, Sierra-Olympic Technologies Inc., Irnova AB, New Imaging Technologies, Photon Etc Inc., Princeton Infrared Technologies Inc., SWIR Vision Systems Inc., QmagiQ LLC.

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 impacted the SWIR market by increasing costs for imported sensors, optics, and specialized imaging components used in camera systems. These effects are most prominent in electronics, aerospace, and defense applications, particularly in regions reliant on cross-border supply chains such as Asia-Pacific and Europe. Higher costs have slightly slowed adoption in price-sensitive industrial sectors. However, tariffs have also encouraged local manufacturing, regional supplier development, and investments in domestic SWIR technology capabilities, supporting long-term market resilience.

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

Short-wave infrared (SWIR) refers to a specific segment of the infrared spectrum ranging from approximately 1,000 nanometers (nm) to 3,000 nm in wavelength. SWIR imaging finds application in various fields such as industrial inspection, surveillance, and scientific research. It is valued for its ability to penetrate materials such as smoke, haze, and certain fabrics, providing detailed images that are not visible in the visible light spectrum.

The primary types of SWIR imaging include area scan and line scan. Area scan involves capturing an entire image at once, making it suitable for stationary objects or scenes. It utilizes both cooled and uncooled technologies and serves multiple industries such as electronics, aerospace, food and beverage, automotive, medical and healthcare, military and defense, among others.North America was the largest region in the SWIR market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the swir market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the swir market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The SWIR market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as custom optics design, remote sensing, industrial inspection, and medical imaging. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The SWIR market also includes sales of SWIR cameras, SWIR sensors, SWIR lenses, and SWIR spectrometers. 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.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.