Tactical Communication Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Platform (Airborne, Shipborne, Land), By Type (Soldier Rad, Manpack Radio, Vehicular Intercommunication Radio (VIC), High Capacity Data Radio (HCDR), and Others), By Technology (Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM), Next Generation Network (NGN)), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 20.11 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.97%
Fastest Growing Segment	Airborne
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 28.48 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Tactical Communication Market will grow from USD 20.11 Billion in 2025 to USD 28.48 Billion by 2031 at a 5.97% CAGR. Tactical communication systems encompass specialized, military-grade hardware and software designed to facilitate secure and reliable voice, data, and video transmission across dynamic operational environments. The market is primarily driven by the imperative to modernize legacy command and control infrastructures and the increasing requirement for interoperable network-centric warfare capabilities among allied nations. This robust demand for advanced defense technologies is evidenced by substantial industrial growth. According to the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe, in 2024, the defense sector turnover increased by 13.8 percent to €183.4 billion, underscoring the high priority placed on recapitalizing military assets.

Despite these strong drivers, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the scarcity of available radio frequency spectrum. As modern military operations increasingly rely on bandwidth-intensive applications, spectrum congestion creates interference risks and limits the deployment of high-throughput communication networks, thereby complicating the integration of next-generation tactical systems.

Key Market Drivers

Escalating geopolitical tensions and asymmetric security threats constitute the primary catalyst for the procurement of advanced tactical communication assets. As nations face increasingly volatile security environments, defense ministries are prioritizing the replacement of legacy infrastructure with resilient systems capable of operating in contested electromagnetic spectrums. This urgency to modernize is reflected in significant budgetary increases across major alliances, aimed at closing capability gaps. According to NATO, June 2024, in the 'Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2014-2024)', defense spending by European Allies and Canada increased by 17.9 percent in real terms in 2024. Such financial commitments directly facilitate the acquisition of high-bandwidth radios and satellite terminals necessary for maintaining command superiority during multi-domain operations.

Concurrently, the strategic transition toward network-centric warfare and the integration of 5G capabilities are reshaping technical requirements within the sector. Modern military doctrines demand seamless connectivity to support C4ISR operations, necessitating systems that leverage artificial intelligence for data processing and edge computing for real-time decision-making. To support these technological shifts, governments are allocating substantial funds to digital dominance. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, March 2024, in the 'Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request', the department requested $14.5 billion specifically for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) systems. This investment underlines the critical nature of networked lethality. Furthermore, major industry players are witnessing record demand for these interoperable solutions. According to Elbit Systems, in 2024, the company reported a backlog of orders totaling $22.1 billion, highlighting the sustained global appetite for advanced defense electronics.

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Key Market Challenges

The scarcity of available radio frequency spectrum presents a tangible barrier to the expansion of the global tactical communication market. As military forces increasingly adopt data-heavy applications for situational awareness and real-time coordination, the demand for bandwidth frequently exceeds the available supply. This congestion creates significant interference risks and restricts the operational capacity of modern communication devices, as high-speed transmission requires clear spectral pathways that are becoming unavailable in crowded operational theaters. Consequently, the inability to guarantee interference-free connections limits the deployment of high-throughput networks and delays the integration of newer systems.

This challenge is further intensified by the rapid accumulation of defense assets which crowd the electromagnetic environment. According to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in 2024, defense expenditure by European Allies and Canada increased by 17.9 percent. This substantial rise in investment translates into a higher density of electronic emitters in the field, further straining limited frequency resources. The physical limitation of the spectrum forces manufacturers to moderate the release of bandwidth-dependent features, thereby slowing the overall revenue growth of the market as end-users face difficulties in fully utilizing the capacity of modern tactical networks.

Key Market Trends

The deployment of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations represents a structural shift in battlefield connectivity, moving away from vulnerable geostationary assets toward proliferated, resilient mesh networks. This architecture reduces signal latency and ensures continuous data transport even if individual nodes are compromised by kinetic or electronic attacks. By leveraging dense constellations, defense agencies are securing communication backbones against sophisticated anti-satellite capabilities, ensuring reliable links for distributed operations. According to SatNews, December 2025, in the article 'Lawmakers Restore Funding for SDA Tranche 3, Add $1.2 Billion to Space Force R&D', the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act allocated $500 million specifically for the Space Development Agency's Tranche 3 Transport Layer to support this expanding orbital infrastructure.

Simultaneously, the advancement of Next-Generation Software-Defined Radios (SDR) is prioritizing adaptability, allowing operators to modify waveforms and encryption protocols via software updates rather than hardware replacement. This trend addresses the operational need for rapid reconfiguration in the field, enabling seamless interoperability between coalition forces and the swift implementation of counter-jamming measures without procuring new devices. Manufacturers are increasingly delivering multi-channel systems that support diverse spectral requirements within a single modular unit. According to L3Harris Technologies, January 2025, in the report 'US Army Awards L3Harris Nearly $300 Million for Resilient Communications Program', the company received production orders totaling nearly $300 million for software-defined manpack and handheld radios designed to provide resilient, interoperable connectivity.

Segmental Insights

Based on recent industry analysis, the Airborne segment is currently the fastest-growing category within the Global Tactical Communication Market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by the increasing deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and the strategic modernization of military aircraft fleets. Defense forces are prioritizing upgraded avionics to ensure secure, real-time data exchange for critical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Furthermore, the operational requirement for seamless interoperability between aerial platforms and ground units in network-centric warfare is accelerating the procurement of advanced airborne communication infrastructure.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the Global Tactical Communication Market driven by substantial defense expenditures and ongoing modernization programs. The United States Department of Defense actively funds the integration of secure communication platforms to improve coordination and data exchange between military units. Additionally, the region benefits from a strong concentration of established defense manufacturers that support the development of modern radio systems. This focus on upgrading legacy infrastructure to ensure seamless connectivity and operational efficiency underscores the dominance of the North American market.

Recent Developments

• In December 2024, Pacific Defense launched the COM6300VP, a new tactical radio plug-in card developed in conjunction with Thales Defense and Security. Designed to align with open architecture standards, this multi-waveform solution integrates secure cryptographic modules and supports advanced communication protocols for voice and data transmission. The product consolidates multiple radio capabilities into a single compact unit, thereby reducing the size, weight, and power requirements for military platforms. This launch addresses the growing demand for modular and scalable communication systems that facilitate rapid deployment and interoperability in complex tactical scenarios.
• In October 2024, General Dynamics Mission Systems was selected by the U.S. Air Force as the sole developer for the Next Generation Survival Radio program. This development effort focuses on modernizing legacy combat survivor communications by delivering a secure, software-defined solution for personnel recovery missions. The new system is designed to provide robust, end-to-end voice and data connectivity even in anti-access and area-denial environments. Following this selection, the company is tasked with producing prototype units for testing, marking a significant step toward fielding advanced survival communication capabilities across the joint force.
• In July 2024, L3Harris Technologies announced a strategic collaboration with Epirus to advance the performance of tactical communication systems used by military forces. This partnership focuses on integrating proprietary power management and electronics technology into tactical radios to improve energy efficiency and thermal regulation. The initiative aims to deliver next-generation solutions characterized by extended battery life and enhanced operational range. By combining expertise in radio frequency systems and intelligent power electronics, the companies intend to provide lighter, more durable communication devices that meet the rigorous demands of modern combat missions.
• In June 2024, Thales introduced a new series of wideband High Frequency (HF) radios designed to enhance command post communications for land forces. Unveiled at the Eurosatory exhibition, the HF XL range addresses the need for resilient, high-data-rate connectivity in environments where satellite links may be compromised. These systems feature a cognitive engine that automatically optimizes frequency selection to maintain stability and evade jamming. By offering significantly increased bandwidth compared to legacy HF solutions, the technology supports secure long-distance data exchange, ensuring operational continuity for deployed units in contested battlefields.

Key Market Players

• Thales SA
• L3Harris Technologies Inc.
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• RTX Corporation
• General Dynamics Corporation
• BAE Systems plc
• Ultra Electronics Holdings Ltd
• Terma A/S
• Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd
• Lockheed Martin Corporation

By Platform	By Type	By Technology	By Region
Airborne Shipborne Land	Soldier Rad Manpack Radio Vehicular Intercommunication Radio (VIC) High Capacity Data Radio (HCDR) Others	Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM) Next Generation Network (NGN)	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Tactical Communication Market, By Platform:

• Airborne
• Shipborne
• Land

• Tactical Communication Market, By Type:

• Soldier Rad
• Manpack Radio
• Vehicular Intercommunication Radio (VIC)
• High Capacity Data Radio (HCDR)
• Others

• Tactical Communication Market, By Technology:

• Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM)
• Next Generation Network (NGN)

• Tactical Communication 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