Counter-Swarm Microwave Cannon Market Report 2025

The counter-swarm microwave cannon market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.25 billion in 2024 to $1.48 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to the military’s reliance on radio frequency weapons, the early adoption of electronic warfare technologies, the rising use of non-lethal defense systems, the initial surge in drone-related threats, and government-led experimentation with directed-energy weapons.

The counter-swarm microwave cannon market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.87 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.9%. The projected growth in the forecast period is expected to be driven by greater integration with AI-based targeting systems, increasing demand for portable directed-energy solutions, advancements in solid-state microwave technologies, stronger defense cooperation among allied nations, and expanding roles in urban security operations. Key trends anticipated during this period include AI-powered swarm detection, integration with next-generation radar technologies, miniaturization of microwave cannon systems, convergence with laser and other directed-energy platforms, and deployment in both urban and border security environments.

The escalation of geopolitical tensions is contributing to the growth of the counter-swarm microwave cannon market. These tensions stem from disputes between nations involving political, economic, or territorial issues. As global competition among major powers intensifies and territorial disputes grow more frequent, many countries are increasing defense spending and focusing on enhancing national security. In this context, counter-swarm microwave cannons offer a non-lethal method to disable drones and small UAVs used for attacks or surveillance, helping military forces strengthen their deterrence strategies and protect critical infrastructure. For example, in February 2024, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported that global conflict fatalities rose from 153,100 in 2022 to 170,700 in 2023, indicating an increase in conflict severity across multiple regions. This rise in global instability is fueling the demand for advanced counter-drone defense solutions such as microwave cannons.

Companies involved in the counter-swarm microwave cannon market are focusing on the development of advanced high-power microwave (HPM) systems capable of neutralizing multiple drone threats at once. These systems produce and emit concentrated microwave energy for a range of applications, including communications, sensing, and targeted energy delivery. In February 2022, Epirus Inc., a U.S.-based manufacturer of directed energy systems, introduced the Portable Leonidas Pod, a compact, high-power microwave solution designed for flexible deployment. This system is intended to expand Epirus' electronic warfare capabilities, offering a portable and rapidly deployable option to counter drone and electronic threats. It features an extended battery life and can be mounted on various platforms, allowing for engagement across different operational environments. The system also integrates with existing Leonidas platforms to form a layered defense solution, supporting fast mobilization and adaptation to dynamic threat scenarios on the battlefield.

In November 2023, Epirus collaborated with the U.S. Army to advance the Indirect Fire Protection Capability - High-Power Microwave (IFPC-HPM) counter-swarm program. This partnership aims to develop and operationalize scalable non-kinetic defense systems to address evolving aerial threats. The focus is on deploying HPM technology capable of disabling drone swarms by targeting their electronics, significantly boosting the U.S. Army’s ability to respond to asymmetric threats. The U.S. Army, which is tasked with national defense and ground-based military operations, seeks to integrate these advanced systems into its broader defense strategy to enhance battlefield resilience and readiness.

Major players in the counter-swarm microwave cannon market are Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., BAE Systems plc, Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Elbit Systems Ltd, MBDA, Leonardo DRS, QinetiQ Group plc, ASELSAN A.Ş., General Dynamics Land Systems Inc, Anduril Industries Inc, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Tonbo Imaging Inc., Epirus Inc., DroneShield Ltd, Chess Dynamics Ltd., and Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG.

North America was the largest region in the counter-swarm microwave cannon market in 2024. The regions covered in counter-swarm microwave cannon report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the counter-swarm microwave cannon market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

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.

The sharp hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.

The counter-swarm microwave cannon is a directed-energy weapon designed to target and disable multiple small aerial threats, such as drones, simultaneously. It emits high-frequency microwave beams that interfere with the electronics of incoming devices, rendering them inoperable without causing explosive destruction. This system provides fast and accurate defense against drone swarms, safeguarding critical and sensitive locations.

The primary types of counter-swarm microwave cannons include vehicle-mounted, man-portable, and fixed installation systems. Vehicle-mounted systems are integrated into platforms such as tactical vehicles, trailers, modular pods, and airborne platforms, enabling mobile and adaptable defense capabilities. Power output is classified into low, medium, and high levels, with frequency ranges spanning L-band, S-band, C-band, X-band, and beyond. Applications cover military operations, homeland security, critical infrastructure defense, law enforcement, and more, with end-users including defense organizations, government agencies, commercial sectors, and others.

The counter-swarm microwave cannon market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides counter-swarm microwave cannon market statistics, including the counter-swarm microwave cannon industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the counter-swarm microwave cannon market share, detailed counter-swarm microwave cannon market segments, market trends, opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the counter-swarm microwave cannon industry. This counter-swarm microwave cannon market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The counter-swarm microwave cannon market consists of sales of the high-power microwave emitter, antenna array, target tracking system, power supply unit, and cooling system. 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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