The United Kingdom radar market reached around USD 1.63 Billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.80% between 2025 and 2034 to reach nearly USD 2.37 Billion by 2034.
In the financial year 2023-24, the United Kingdom allocated £54.2 billion for defence expenditures. This figure is projected to increase to £57.1 billion in 2024-25, reflecting a 4.5% rise in real terms. The escalation in defence spending facilitates the integration of advanced equipment essential for safeguarding national security. Radars are indispensable in defence operations, serving the critical functions of detecting, tracking, and responding to potential threats across air, land, and maritime domains. They enable continuous surveillance of airspace, coastlines, and borders, allowing for the early detection of incoming aircraft, missiles, ships, or vehicles, thereby providing military forces with timely alerts for effective response.
Weather radars are sophisticated systems that provide detailed information about precipitation patterns, storm development, and wind dynamics, allowing for more precise predictions of severe weather events. As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, the need for improved forecasting accuracy is paramount. Enhanced weather radars can help meteorologists identify emerging threats sooner, issue timely warnings, and facilitate effective response strategies.
United Kingdom Radar Market Growth
In 2019, UK airports experienced an unprecedented influx of nearly 300 million passengers, marking a record high. The increase in air travel has significantly impacted air traffic, resulting in a greater reliance on radar technology. Radars are essential for effective air traffic management, facilitating the safe and efficient navigation of aircraft within controlled airspace. They are capable of detecting and monitoring the position, speed, and altitude of aircraft within a designated range, supplying real-time information to air traffic controllers to maintain safe distances between aircraft.In the financial year 2023-24, the United Kingdom allocated £54.2 billion for defence expenditures. This figure is projected to increase to £57.1 billion in 2024-25, reflecting a 4.5% rise in real terms. The escalation in defence spending facilitates the integration of advanced equipment essential for safeguarding national security. Radars are indispensable in defence operations, serving the critical functions of detecting, tracking, and responding to potential threats across air, land, and maritime domains. They enable continuous surveillance of airspace, coastlines, and borders, allowing for the early detection of incoming aircraft, missiles, ships, or vehicles, thereby providing military forces with timely alerts for effective response.
Key Trends and Developments
Rising security concerns, the robust growth of the aerospace sector, growing use of radars in weather and climate monitoring, and technological advancements are the major trends impacting the United Kingdom radar market growth.June 2023
The UK government granted a contract valued at £270 million to BAE Systems, a British multinational company specialising in aerospace, defence, and information security, for the purpose of supporting, upgrading, and maintaining essential radar systems.September 2023
Saab, a Swedish company specialising in aerospace and defence, inaugurated a new radar manufacturing facility in Fareham, the United Kingdom, as a part of its expansion strategy.Dec 2023
The UK, the United States, and Australia unveiled an initiative known as the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability. This programme aims to deliver continuous, all-weather operational capabilities to enhance the detection, tracking, identification, and characterisation of objects in deep space.Rising Security Concerns
The increasing emphasis on homeland security and border monitoring, especially regarding the necessity to oversee air and maritime borders, is propelling the demand for advanced radar technologies.Robust Growth of the Aerospace Sector
The robustly growing aerospace sector in the United Kingdom is driving the need for sophisticated radar systems across military and civilian aviation sectors, encompassing air traffic management, collision prevention, and navigation.Rising Weather and Climate Monitoring Activities
The heightened emphasis on climate change and disaster readiness is fuelling the demand for weather radars utilised in meteorology to track severe weather occurrences and enhance forecasting precision.Increasing Investments in Defence Modernisation Programmes
The UK government has augmented its investment in enhancing defence capabilities, which includes the acquisition of sophisticated radar systems for aerial, terrestrial, and maritime uses to bolster national security.Technological Advancements
Ongoing advancements in radar technology, particularly Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, are promoting an increased application of radar systems in multiple sectors, including defence, automotive, and civil infrastructure.United Kingdom Radar Market Trends
The heightened awareness and urgency surrounding climate change, coupled with the growing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, have significantly amplified the demand for advanced weather radars in the field of meteorology. As communities and governments strive to enhance their preparedness for extreme weather events - such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and heatwaves, there is an increasing recognition of the critical role that accurate weather monitoring and forecasting play in safeguarding lives and property.Weather radars are sophisticated systems that provide detailed information about precipitation patterns, storm development, and wind dynamics, allowing for more precise predictions of severe weather events. As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, the need for improved forecasting accuracy is paramount. Enhanced weather radars can help meteorologists identify emerging threats sooner, issue timely warnings, and facilitate effective response strategies.
United Kingdom Radar Industry Segmentation
United Kingdom Radar Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034 offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:Market Breakup by Component:
- Antenna
- Transmitter
- Receiver
- Others
Market Breakup by Radar Service:
- Installation/Integration
- Support and Maintenance
- Training and Consulting
Market Breakup by Platform:
- Ground-Based
- Airborne
- Naval
- Space Based
Market Breakup by End Use:
- Military Applications
- Air Traffic Control
- Remote Sensing
- Ground Traffic Control
- Others
Market Breakup by Region:
- England
- Wales
- Northern-Ireland
- Scotland
United Kingdom Radar Market Share
Based on the radar service, the market is segmented into installation/integration, support and maintenance, and training and consulting. The support and maintenance segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period of 2025-2034. The support and maintenance of radar systems are essential as these practices help avert malfunctions, comply with regulatory requirements, and reduce downtime, all of which are vital for efficient operation and safety.Leading Companies in the United Kingdom Radar Market
Major players are focusing on the adoption of advanced technologies to gain a competitive edge in the market.- Honeywell International Inc.
- Lockheed Martin Corporation
- Northrop Grumman Corp.
- BAE Systems Plc
- RTX Corp.
- Thales S.A.
- Saab AB
- HENSOLDT AG
- General Dynamics Corp.
- Leonardo S.p.A
- Others
Table of Contents
1 Executive Summary
2 Market Overview and Stakeholder Insights
3 Economic Summary
4 Country Risk Profiles
5 Europe Radar Market Overview
6 United Kingdom Radar Market Overview
7 United Kingdom Radar Market by Component
8 United Kingdom Radar Market by Radar Service
9 United Kingdom Radar Market by Platform
10 United Kingdom Radar Market by End Use
11 United Kingdom Radar Market by Region
12 Market Dynamics
13 Trade Data Analysis (HS Code - 8526)
14 Competitive Landscape
Companies Mentioned
- Honeywell International Inc.
- Lockheed Martin Corporation
- Northrop Grumman Corp.
- BAE Systems Plc
- RTX Corp.
- Thales S.A.
- Saab AB
- HENSOLDT AG
- General Dynamics Corp.
- Leonardo S.p.A