Airborne Radar Market Opportunity, Growth Drivers, Industry Trend Analysis, and Forecast 2025 – 2034

Airborne Radar Market Opportunity, Growth Drivers, Industry Trend Analysis, and Forecast 2025 – 2034

The Global Airborne Radar Market, valued at USD 17.4 billion in 2024, is projected to experience a robust growth rate of 8.8% CAGR from 2025 to 2034. Governments around the world are prioritizing the modernization of their military aircraft fleets to improve operational efficiency and meet emerging security challenges. A significant focus is placed on upgrading aging aircraft with advanced radar, avionics, and communication technologies to ensure enhanced mission success. This trend is fueled by the increasing need for improved detection, surveillance, and combat readiness across various military platforms, including aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Airborne radar systems are crucial for providing enhanced detection, tracking, and targeting capabilities. The integration of next-generation radar technologies, such as Active Electronically Scanned Arrays (AESA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), is driving significant advancements in airborne radar systems. These upgrades are vital to improving operational flexibility, combat effectiveness, and survivability in complex operational environments. Additionally, the rising defense budgets and the evolving nature of military operations are accelerating investments in state-of-the-art radar solutions to maintain a competitive edge.

A key factor propelling the market is the growing demand for advanced Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. ISR missions, which involve real-time intelligence gathering, target tracking, and situational awareness, are essential for both military and civilian applications. Airborne radar is a critical tool for monitoring enemy activities, enhancing situational awareness, and improving the ability to detect threats in challenging conditions. This technology is also expanding its role in border security, counterterrorism, and disaster management.

The airborne radar market is divided into two main installation types: new installations and retrofits. The new installation segment currently holds the largest market share, with a significant portion driven by defense modernization efforts and the adoption of advanced radar technologies. Commercial aviation is also contributing to this demand, with radar systems being integrated into new aircraft to improve safety, weather monitoring, and navigation capabilities.

The end-use segment of the airborne radar market is diversified, with key applications in commercial aircraft, military aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, business jets, and urban air mobility (UAM) systems. Among these, the UAM segment is witnessing the highest growth, driven by advancements in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology. As UAM networks continue to develop, the need for compact and efficient radar systems becomes critical to ensure safe and reliable operations in busy urban airspace.

North America is anticipated to be a major contributor to the airborne radar market, with projections exceeding USD 14 billion by 2034. The U.S., in particular, is at the forefront of defense modernization, investing heavily in the development and integration of cutting-edge radar systems for military and civilian use. These advancements, combined with a strong focus on technological innovation, are expected to drive continued growth in the region's airborne radar market.