Airborne Electronic Warfare Market Global Report 2026

The airborne electronic warfare market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $13.15 billion in 2025 to $14.21 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing demand for electromagnetic spectrum dominance, rising military focus on airborne threat detection, growing deployment of electronic support systems, expanding use of radar warning systems on military aircraft, and increasing need for protection against hostile electronic signals.

The airborne electronic warfare market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $19.07 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for advanced electronic attack capabilities, increasing adoption of unmanned airborne electronic warfare platforms, growing need for resilient electromagnetic spectrum operations, expanding deployment of multifunctional electronic warfare systems, and increasing demand for rapid threat identification and response. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of advanced radar warning receivers, growing deployment of electronic support measures for threat detection, rising demand for electronic attack systems for signal disruption, expanding use of electronic protection systems against electromagnetic threats, and increasing integration of multifunctional electronic warfare systems.

The rising geopolitical tensions are expected to propel the growth of the airborne electronic warfare market in the coming years. Geopolitical tensions refer to conflicts, rivalries, or strained relationships between nations or regions arising from political, economic, territorial, or military disputes. Geopolitical tensions are increasing due to growing territorial disputes, as governments seek to strengthen their territorial claims and national security interests. Rising geopolitical tensions drive demand for airborne electronic warfare systems by increasing the need for advanced electronic attack, electronic protection, and electronic support capabilities that enhance situational awareness, counter hostile radar and communication systems, and improve mission effectiveness in contested environments. For instance, in June 2026, according to the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), an Australia-based independent think tank, the number of countries involved in at least one external conflict increased to 103 in the 2026 Global Peace Index. Therefore, the rising geopolitical tensions are driving the growth of the airborne electronic warfare market.

Major companies operating in the airborne electronic warfare market are focusing on developing advanced aircraft, such as AI-enabled multi-mission electronic attack aircraft, to enhance electronic warfare capabilities, intelligence gathering, electromagnetic spectrum dominance, and stand-off mission effectiveness. AI-enabled multi-mission electronic attack aircraft are advanced airborne platforms that integrate electronic attack, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities into a single system, enabling simultaneous electronic countermeasures, real-time intelligence processing, and long-range operations with greater operational flexibility than conventional single-mission electronic warfare aircraft. For instance, in July 2026, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., an Israel-based aerospace and defense company, unveiled ELLYON, a next-generation multi-mission aircraft featuring integrated Electronic Attack (EA) and advanced ISTAR capabilities. The platform combines full-spectrum radar and communications jamming, SIGINT, long-range SAR/GMTI radar, electro-optical sensing, and wide-band satellite communications into a unified airborne system. Powered by an AI-based multi-mission management system, ELLYON processes sensor data in real time to generate actionable intelligence and transmit it to command centers while simultaneously executing radar and communications jamming against airborne and ground-based threats. Designed to operate from stand-off distances and integrate with multiple large business jet platforms, the aircraft enhances mission survivability, accelerates intelligence-to-action cycles, and strengthens electromagnetic battlespace capabilities.

In June 2026, Thales S.A., a France-based aerospace, defense, and advanced technology company specializing in airborne electronic warfare capabilities, partnered with AURA AERO SAS to enhance sovereign intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities through the development of a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone solution. Through this partnership, Thales S.A. and AURA AERO SAS aim to integrate Thales’ AirMaster C airborne surveillance radar and electronic warfare systems into AURA AERO’s Enbata MALE drone, enabling advanced intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, maritime surveillance, electronic warfare, and counter-drone operations for the French Armed Forces. AURA AERO SAS is a France-based aerospace company specializing in the design, development, and manufacture of next-generation conventional, hybrid-electric, and electric aircraft and defense unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Major companies operating in the airborne electronic warfare market are The Boeing Company, RTX Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems plc, L3Harris Technologies Inc, General Dynamics Corporation, Thales Group, Leonardo S.p.A., Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd, Elbit Systems Ltd, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Saab AB, ASELSAN A.Ş., HENSOLDT AG, QinetiQ Group plc, Honeywell International Inc, Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co KG, Bharat Electronics Limited, Mercury Systems Inc, Terma A/S, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated.

North America was the dominant region in the airborne electronic warfare market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the rapidly growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the airborne electronic warfare market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the airborne electronic warfare market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.