Military Aircraft SATCOM Equipment Market Size, Share, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2025-2030

The military aircraft SATCOM equipment market was valued at US$804 million in 2024 and is likely to grow at an impressive CAGR of 15.9% in the long run to reach US$1.98 billion in 2030.

The military SATCOM equipment market is witnessing healthy growth, driven by increasing defense modernization programs, rising demand for beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications, and the expanding deployment of unmanned systems across all military domains. Geopolitical tensions, multi-domain operations, and the shift toward network-centric warfare are further accelerating the adoption of advanced SATCOM solutions.

Militaries worldwide are prioritizing investments in SATCOM infrastructure to enable joint force interoperability, enhance command responsiveness, and ensure resilient communications in degraded or denied environments. In addition, the development and deployment of high-throughput satellites (HTS), low-earth orbit (LEO) mega-constellations, and multi-band/multi-orbit terminals are creating opportunities for next-generation military SATCOM equipment that delivers higher data rates, lower latency, and improved redundancy. As global militaries transition toward more connected and data-driven operations, the demand for secure, resilient, and scalable SATCOM equipment is expected to remain robust over the coming decade.

Market Segments' Analysis

By Application Type

Aeronautical is anticipated to retain the major share among application types and also to register the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period.

Based on application type, the military SATCOM equipment market is segmented into aeronautical, land, and marine. Unlike land or marine platforms, military aircraft operate well beyond the coverage of terrestrial communication systems, making satellite communication indispensable for maintaining continuous connectivity. Airborne platforms require secure, real-time, and high-bandwidth links to support mission-critical applications such as command and control (C2), intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, and precision targeting. The dependence of modern aerial missions on beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communication gives SATCOM equipment a central role in ensuring situational awareness and mission success across vast and contested geographic regions.

Aircraft are central to modern military strategies due to their ability to deliver rapid force projection, strategic mobility, and persistent surveillance capabilities. Platforms such as AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems), aerial refueling tankers, bombers, and ISR aircraft rely on robust SATCOM systems to exchange large volumes of data in real time. Moreover, the increasing deployment of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat operations is creating significant demand for advanced SATCOM solutions. UAS platforms, particularly those operating at long ranges or in denied environments, depend heavily on satellite links for remote piloting, sensor data transmission, and autonomous mission execution. Global defense budgets for UAS procurement and R&D are steadily rising, reflecting the strategic shift toward unmanned aerial operations that further strengthens the aeronautical SATCOM market. Additionally, investments in advanced anti-jamming technologies, multi-band terminals, and low-earth orbit (LEO)-enabled SATCOM solutions are particularly concentrated in the aeronautical segment, given its critical role in enabling air dominance and multi-domain operations.

Regional Analysis

North America is anticipated to remain the largest market by region, whereas the Asia-Pacific region is poised to emerge as the fastest-growing market during the forecast period.

North America is expected to hold the major share of the military SATCOM equipment market throughout the forecast period. The region’s dominance is primarily driven by the United States, which consistently accounts for the world’s largest defense budget. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) invests heavily in next-generation SATCOM capabilities to support intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and secure command-and-control (C2) operations across multiple theaters. Large-scale programs such as the procurement of advanced satellites, development of protected communications networks, and deployment of resilient ground and airborne terminals underscore the region’s leadership in the field. Additionally, the U.S. military’s emphasis on network-centric warfare, multi-domain operations, and global force projection makes secure and high-capacity SATCOM equipment indispensable. Canada also contributes to regional growth through its modernization initiatives, particularly in Arctic surveillance and joint NATO operations.

The Asia-Pacific region is projected to be the fastest-growing market during the forecast period. The region is witnessing substantial increases in defense expenditures, driven by territorial disputes, regional security challenges, and the need to modernize armed forces. Major economies such as China and India, ranked among the world’s top five defense spenders, are accelerating investments in advanced communication systems to strengthen situational awareness and improve interoperability of their armed forces. China’s rapid expansion of space and satellite capabilities, coupled with India’s focus on indigenous defense technologies and integration of SATCOM into its tri-service operations, is propelling regional demand. With rising geopolitical tensions and the growing adoption of unmanned and network-enabled platforms, the Asia-Pacific region is poised to witness the strongest growth trajectory in military SATCOM equipment adoption.

Key Players

The following are the key players in the military aircraft SATCOM equipment market.

Here is the list of the Top Players

• BAE Systems
• General Dynamics
• Gilat Satellite Networks
• Honeywell International Inc.
• Hughes Network Systems LLC
• L3Harris Technologies Inc.
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• RTX Corporation
• Thales S.A.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence most comprehensively. The report structure has been kept so that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

• Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.
• Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.
• Market trend and forecast analysis.
• Market segment trend and forecast.
• Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Product portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
• Emerging trends.
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
• Key success factors.

The global military aircraft SATCOM equipment market is segmented into the following categories.

Military Aircraft SATCOM Equipment Market, by Application Type

• Aeronautical
• Manned
• Unmanned
• Land
• Mobile
• Stationary
• Manpack
• Marine
• Surface Vessels
• Submarine
• Unmanned Naval Vessels

Military Aircraft SATCOM Equipment Market by Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Rest of the World

Research Methodology

• This strategic assessment report provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s military SATCOM equipment market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period.
• The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market.
• The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants and investors in identifying the low-hanging fruit available in the market and formulating growth strategies to expedite their growth process.
• This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with a proprietary database and statistical tools.
• More than 1000+ authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data.
• We conducted more than 10 detailed primary interviews with market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Report Customization Options

Company Profiling

• Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to three players)
• SWOT analysis of key players (up to three players)

Competitive Benchmarking

• Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Product portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances

Custom Research: The analyst offers custom research services related to market assessment, competitive benchmarking, sourcing & procurement, target screening, and more.