Military Man Portable Radar System Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Military Man Portable Radar System Market is projected to expand from a valuation of USD 6.71 Billion in 2025 to USD 10.44 Billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 7.65%. This market sector comprises lightweight, compact surveillance units specifically engineered for rapid deployment by individual soldiers or small squads to identify hostile infantry, vehicles, and low-altitude drones. The growth of this market is primarily fueled by the critical necessity for real-time situational awareness during asymmetric combat and the rising demand for effective border security measures to monitor illegal crossings. Additionally, the operational requirement for force protection in isolated or austere locations, where vehicle-mounted systems are impractical, continues to support the procurement of these versatile sensors.

Despite these drivers, market expansion faces a notable obstacle regarding power supply and battery life limitations, which curtail the operational range and duration of these portable units in comparison to larger platforms. Nevertheless, the growing requirement for durable ground-based systems is evident in recent market performance metrics. As reported by the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe, the land defense sector saw a turnover increase of 17.7% in 2023, highlighting significant capital investment in ground-level military capabilities.

Market Drivers

Increasing geopolitical instability and the resulting emphasis on border security serve as the main catalysts for the acquisition of man-portable radar systems. Nations are swiftly deploying these compact sensors to oversee porous borders and active conflict zones where larger infrastructure is either vulnerable or nonexistent. This surge in procurement is tied directly to escalating defense budgets designed to prevent conventional aggression and maintain territorial integrity via improved tactical situational awareness. Governments are prioritizing funds for high-mobility assets that allow for rapid deployment to counter incursions. For instance, NATO’s June 2024 communiqué on defense expenditure estimates that spending among European Allies and Canada rose by 17.9% in real terms for 2024, signaling an urgent transition toward high-readiness capabilities including tactical surveillance.

The widespread use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and the essential requirement for Counter-UAS measures further mandate the adoption of man-portable radars. As adversaries increasingly employ low-observable drones for reconnaissance and asymmetric strikes, ground troops need immediate detection capabilities that vehicle-mounted radars cannot always provide in difficult terrain.

These portable units act as the primary warning tier within a multi-domain defense structure, initiating kinetic or electronic responses against hostile drones. This operational demand is driving significant funding into counter-drone technologies; the U.S. Department of Defense's Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request allocated $2.4 billion specifically for UAS defense. This aligns with global trends, as the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reported total global military expenditure reached $2.44 trillion the previous year, driven heavily by the need for responsive tactical equipment.

Market Challenges

The constraints associated with power supply and battery life represent a significant barrier to the growth of the Global Military Man Portable Radar System Market. While these systems are promoted for their mobility, the intense energy demands of continuous signal processing severely limit their operational longevity. Consequently, soldiers must often transport large amounts of spare batteries to ensure situational awareness over long durations, a necessity that heavily adds to the physical burden and logistical requirements of small units. This reliance on finite power reserves diminishes the primary advantage of portability, rendering these systems less viable for extended missions in isolated regions lacking recharging facilities.

As a result, this energy limitation creates resistance against wider adoption, even during periods of increased defense spending. Procurement officials frequently hesitate to fully rely on battery-dependent systems for continuous surveillance tasks, concerned that power depletion could compromise troop safety. This caution slows market momentum despite heavy investment in the sector at large. For example, while the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe reported a 13.8% increase in defense sector turnover in 2024, the expansion of man-portable radars is still moderated by energy storage challenges, preventing the segment from fully benefiting from these increased budgets.

Market Trends

The adoption of Man-Portable 4D AESA Radar Architectures is radically altering detection capabilities for dismounted troops. These sophisticated units increasingly incorporate Gallium Nitride technology to provide simultaneous air and ground tracking while noticeably lowering system weight and power usage. This technological evolution allows small units to utilize high-fidelity sensors capable of accurately determining the velocity, azimuth, and elevation of low-signature threats, a function formerly limited to large vehicle-mounted systems. The rising demand for such high-performance tactical sensors is reflected in recent financial results; for instance, Saab’s October 2024 interim report noted a 38% improvement in operating income for its Surveillance business area, fueled by robust deliveries of advanced sensor systems.

Simultaneously, the integration of Artificial Intelligence for Automated Target Recognition is becoming a standard feature to handle the massive data output of these sensitive systems. As the fidelity of man-portable radars improves, operators often face overwhelming clutter and non-hostile signals, creating a need for intelligent edge algorithms to autonomously classify targets such as drones, humans, or vehicles in real-time. This inclusion significantly lowers the cognitive burden on soldiers, ensuring that actionable intelligence is produced without constant manual analysis. Manufacturers are heavily investing in the software capabilities of these systems; Elbit Systems reported in November 2024 that net research and development expenses climbed to $119.9 million, driven largely by increased R&D activities within the land segment to develop next-generation features.

Key Players Profiled in the Military Man Portable Radar System Market

• ASELSAN A.S.
• BAE Systems PLC
• Blighter Surveillance Systems Limited
• Elbit Systems Ltd.
• Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
• L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• Saab AB
• Rheinmetall AG
• Thales SA

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Military Man Portable Radar System Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Military Man Portable Radar System Market, by Component:

• Antenna
• Transmitter
• Receivers
• and Others

Military Man Portable Radar System Market, by Range:

• Less than 50 Km and More than 50 Km

Military Man Portable Radar System Market, by Frequency-Band:

• Ka-Band
• Ku-Band and Others

Military Man Portable Radar System Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Military Man Portable Radar System Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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