Surveillance Radars Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Platform (Land, Airborne, Naval, Space, Others), By Application (Commercial, National Security, Defense & Space, Others), By Region, By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 10.69 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	9.35%
Fastest Growing Segment	National Security
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 18.28 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Surveillance Radars Market will grow from USD 10.69 Billion in 2025 to USD 18.28 Billion by 2031 at a 9.35% CAGR. Surveillance radars are detection systems that utilize radio waves to determine the range, angle, and velocity of objects within air, ground, and maritime domains. The market is primarily driven by the escalating need for border security and the modernization of military capabilities amidst rising geopolitical tensions. Furthermore, the expansion of civil aviation infrastructure necessitates improved air traffic control systems to ensure safety and efficiency. This growth trajectory is supported by substantial investment in defense sectors globally, which funds the procurement of these essential monitoring assets. According to NATO, in 2024, defense expenditure by alliance members reached 1.47 trillion dollars. This significant financial commitment highlights the prioritization of situational awareness technologies in national defense strategies.

However, the market faces a significant challenge regarding the high acquisition and maintenance costs associated with these complex systems. The substantial capital required for deployment often necessitates long procurement cycles and can deter adoption in price-sensitive emerging economies. This financial barrier is further compounded by the need for specialized training and infrastructure to operate these assets effectively, which can delay the implementation of necessary upgrades in developing regions.

Key Market Drivers

The escalation of geopolitical tensions and cross-border territorial disputes functions as a primary catalyst for the procurement of advanced surveillance radars. As nations face increasing instability, defense ministries are prioritizing the modernization of monitoring infrastructure to ensure comprehensive situational awareness and territorial integrity. This strategic shift has resulted in a substantial influx of capital toward the acquisition of long-range detection systems capable of operating in contested environments. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, April 2024, in the 'Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2023', total global military spending grew by 6.8 percent in real terms to reach 2443 billion dollars. This record-level expenditure directly supports the development and deployment of next-generation radar platforms designed to identify conventional and asymmetric threats at greater distances.

Concurrently, the rapid proliferation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) necessitates the adoption of specialized radar technologies capable of detecting low-altitude and slow-moving targets. Traditional air defense systems often struggle to distinguish small drones from ground clutter, prompting a surge in demand for high-precision Active Electronically Scanned Array systems and software-defined architectures. This operational requirement is driving specific budgetary allocations toward counter-drone solutions. According to Defense News, March 2024, in the 'Army FY25 Budget Request Details', the United States Army requested 447 million dollars specifically for counter-small unmanned aircraft system research and acquisition. Furthermore, major industrial players are securing large-scale orders to fulfill this global demand for air defense modernization. According to RTX, July 2024, in the 'Second Quarter 2024 Results', the corporation secured a 1.2 billion dollar contract to deliver Patriot radar systems to Germany, illustrating the continued financial momentum within the sector.

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Key Market Challenges

The extensive capital required for the acquisition and maintenance of surveillance radar systems poses a significant financial barrier that restricts market growth. These systems integrate complex electronics and signal processing capabilities, resulting in high unit costs that can be prohibitive for emerging economies and smaller civil aviation authorities. When faced with limited fiscal resources, potential buyers in these price-sensitive regions frequently delay procurement cycles or extend the service life of legacy equipment rather than investing in new units. This hesitation directly reduces the volume of new contracts and slows the global adoption rate of modern detection infrastructure.

Furthermore, the high total cost of ownership, driven by ongoing operational expenses and specialized technical support, limits the funds available for new acquisitions. This financial strain is particularly acute in developing regions where economic pressures force reduced spending. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, in 2024, military expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa decreased by 3.2 percent. Such contractions in regional spending capabilities effectively shrink the addressable market for manufacturers, preventing the sector from achieving broad-based global expansion and confining substantial growth primarily to wealthier nations.

Key Market Trends

The Emergence of Multi-Mission Radars for Simultaneous Domain Surveillance represents a critical evolution in sensor technology, enabling operators to monitor air, ground, and maritime threats using a single platform. This consolidation reduces the logistical footprint and operational complexity associated with deploying separate systems for each domain, providing a versatile solution for dynamic combat environments. By utilizing software-defined architectures, these radars can instantaneously switch modes to track varying target types, from low-flying aircraft to surface vessels. According to GovCon Exec International, July 2024, in the 'Hensoldt Receives $108M Contract to Integrate Spexer Radars Into Rheinmetall's Turret System', Hensoldt secured a 108 million dollar contract to deliver Spexer 2000 radars capable of automatically classifying ground, sea, and air targets for the Skyranger 30 system.

The Incorporation of Gallium Nitride (GaN) Technology for High-Power Performance is fundamentally reshaping radar architecture by offering superior power density compared to legacy silicon-based components. This semiconductor material allows systems to operate at higher voltages and temperatures, resulting in extended detection ranges and improved reliability without increasing the physical size of the unit. The enhanced thermal management properties of GaN enable manufacturers to develop compact, high-mobility radars that maintain the robust output required for long-range surveillance. According to Joint Forces News, December 2024, in the 'Saab Giraffe 4A Radar Systems for USAFE', Saab received a 48 million dollar order for GaN-based Giraffe 4A systems, designed to provide comprehensive air defense coverage for the United States Air Forces in Europe.

Segmental Insights

Based on current market analysis, the National Security segment represents the fastest-growing area in the Global Surveillance Radars Market due to rising geopolitical instability and strict border control requirements. Governments are increasingly allocating resources to upgrade defense capabilities against evolving asymmetric threats, such as unauthorized drone incursions and illegal crossings. Procurement initiatives by entities like the U.S. Department of Defense reflect this trend, emphasizing the deployment of long-range detection systems for enhanced situational awareness. This strategic shift toward fortifying territorial integrity ensures sustained expansion for radar technologies within the national security sector.

Regional Insights

North America leads the global surveillance radars market, driven primarily by extensive defense expenditure and a strategic focus on modernizing military assets. The United States Department of Defense consistently invests in upgrading radar systems for air and marine monitoring to enhance situational awareness. Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security implements strict border control measures, necessitating reliable radar solutions for continuous perimeter monitoring. The region benefits from a robust industrial base of major manufacturers who collaborate closely with government agencies. These combined factors solidify North America's position as the primary hub for market expansion.

Recent Developments

• In December 2024, Lockheed Martin commenced the low-rate initial production of the Sentinel A4 air and missile defense radar, marking a critical milestone in the system's deployment for the U.S. Army. This next-generation, fully digital radar was developed to replace the legacy A3 variant, offering significantly improved range and the ability to simultaneously identify and track various threats, including cruise missiles, unmanned aerial systems, and rotary-wing aircraft. The transition to production highlighted the company's progress in delivering advanced sensing capabilities to the Global Surveillance Radars Market, addressing the urgent requirement for modernized ground-based sensors that can support integrated air and missile defense architectures.
• In June 2024, Saab introduced the Compact Radar Module for its Giraffe 1X radar system at the Eurosatory defense exhibition. This new configuration was engineered to offer an all-in-one, highly mobile solution where the antenna could fold down into a lightweight module, facilitating rapid deployment and transport. The development targeted the Global Surveillance Radars Market's need for versatile, short-range air defense sensors capable of detecting drones, rockets, artillery, and mortars. By enabling the radar to be easily integrated onto small vehicles or operated with limited infrastructure, the company aimed to enhance operational flexibility for ground combat units facing diverse aerial threats.
• In April 2024, Hensoldt expanded its sensor portfolio by unveiling the Quadome, a new three-dimensional surface and air surveillance radar. The system was introduced to bridge the gap between tactical and high-end naval radar solutions, offering advanced situational awareness and rapid response capabilities for naval, military, and security forces. Featuring active electronically scanned array technology, the radar was designed to detect and track small, slow, and fast-moving targets, providing a cost-effective option for offshore patrol vessels and light frigates. This product launch addressed the Global Surveillance Radars Market's increasing demand for compact, multi-mission systems capable of operating in complex littoral environments.
• In March 2024, Indra and Edge Group established a strategic joint venture based in Abu Dhabi to develop and manufacture next-generation radar systems. This collaboration was designed to combine the Spanish company's technological capabilities with the Emirati group's growing defense footprint, focusing on a pipeline of orders for approximately 300 advanced radar systems for non-NATO and non-EU customers. The partnership aimed to create a leading global player in radar technology, granting the new entity prime rights for future sales in specific regions. This move significantly impacted the Global Surveillance Radars Market by consolidating expertise and expanding the reach of sophisticated air and surface surveillance solutions in the Middle East and beyond.

Key Market Players

• 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

By Platform	By Application	By Region
Land Airborne Naval Space Others	Commercial National Security Defense & Space Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Surveillance Radars Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• 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
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE