Surveillance Radars Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Surveillance Radars Market is projected to expand from USD 10.69 Billion in 2025 to USD 18.28 Billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 9.35%. These systems, which utilize radio waves to calculate the range, angle, and velocity of objects across air, ground, and maritime environments, are experiencing increased demand due to heightened border security needs and military modernization efforts amid growing geopolitical instability. Additionally, the expansion of civil aviation infrastructure requires advanced air traffic control systems to guarantee safety and efficiency. This upward trend is underpinned by significant global defense investments, such as the 1.47 trillion dollars in defense expenditure reported by NATO members in 2024, demonstrating a strong commitment to enhancing situational awareness capabilities.

However, the market confronts a major obstacle in the form of high acquisition and maintenance costs associated with these sophisticated technologies. The substantial capital required for deployment often results in protracted procurement cycles and acts as a deterrent for price-sensitive emerging economies. This financial challenge is further exacerbated by the necessity for specialized training and infrastructure to operate these assets efficiently, which can delay the implementation of critical upgrades in developing regions.

Market Drivers

Rising geopolitical tensions and cross-border territorial disputes act as primary drivers for the procurement of advanced surveillance radar systems. As instability grows, nations are prioritizing the modernization of their monitoring infrastructure to maintain territorial integrity and comprehensive situational awareness. This strategic focus has led to a significant influx of capital into long-range detection systems suitable for contested environments. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's April 2024 report on global military expenditure trends for 2023, total spending rose by 6.8 percent in real terms to reach a record 2.44 trillion dollars, directly supporting the development and deployment of next-generation platforms capable of identifying threats at extended distances.

Simultaneously, the rapid proliferation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has created an urgent need for specialized radar technologies designed to detect low-altitude and slow-moving targets. Traditional air defense networks often fail to distinguish small drones from ground clutter, driving demand for high-precision Active Electronically Scanned Array systems and software-defined architectures. This operational requirement is reflected in specific budgetary commitments, such as the United States Army's request for 447 million dollars in fiscal year 2025 for counter-small unmanned aircraft systems, as reported by Defense News in March 2024. Furthermore, major industry players are securing significant contracts to meet this demand, evidenced by RTX receiving a 1.2 billion dollar contract in July 2024 to supply Patriot radar systems to Germany.

Market Challenges

The substantial capital investment required to acquire and maintain surveillance radar systems constitutes a major financial barrier that impedes market expansion. These units integrate complex electronics and advanced signal processing capabilities, resulting in high unit costs that are often prohibitive for smaller civil aviation authorities and emerging economies. Consequently, potential buyers in financially constrained regions frequently choose to extend the lifespan of legacy equipment or delay procurement cycles rather than investing in modern infrastructure. This reluctance directly impacts the volume of new contracts and slows the global adoption rate of advanced detection technologies.

Moreover, the high total cost of ownership, driven by continuous operational expenses and the need for specialized technical support, restricts the funds available for new acquisitions. This financial strain is particularly severe in developing regions where economic pressures necessitate reduced spending. For instance, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reported a 3.2 percent decrease in military expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa in 2024. Such contractions in regional purchasing power effectively shrink the addressable market for manufacturers, limiting substantial growth primarily to wealthier nations and preventing broad-based global expansion.

Market Trends

The rise of Multi-Mission Radars capable of Simultaneous Domain Surveillance marks a significant evolution in sensor technology, allowing operators to track air, ground, and maritime threats using a single platform. This consolidation minimizes the logistical burden and operational complexity associated with deploying separate systems for each domain, offering a versatile solution for dynamic combat environments. By leveraging software-defined architectures, these radars can instantly adapt to different target types, ranging from low-flying aircraft to surface vessels. This trend is exemplified by Hensoldt, which, according to GovCon Exec International in July 2024, secured a 108 million dollar contract to integrate Spexer 2000 radars into the Skyranger 30 system for multi-domain target classification.

Another transformative trend is the adoption of Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, which significantly enhances power performance and reshapes radar architecture by offering superior power density compared to traditional silicon-based components. This semiconductor material enables systems to function at higher voltages and temperatures, resulting in extended detection ranges and increased reliability without enlarging the unit's physical footprint. The improved thermal efficiency of GaN allows manufacturers to produce compact, high-mobility radars that maintain the robust output necessary for long-range surveillance. Illustrating this shift, Joint Forces News reported in December 2024 that Saab received a 48 million dollar order for GaN-based Giraffe 4A systems to support air defense for the United States Air Forces in Europe.

Key Players Profiled in the Surveillance Radars Market

• RTX Corporation
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Hensoldt AG
• Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Thales Group
• Honeywell International Inc.
• Saab AB

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Surveillance Radars Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Surveillance Radars Market, by Platform:

• Land
• Airborne
• Naval
• Space
• Others

Surveillance Radars Market, by Application:

• Commercial
• National Security
• Defense & Space
• Others

Surveillance Radars 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 Surveillance Radars Market.

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