Market Dynamics
Introduction
The defence integrated antenna market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing demand for advanced communication and surveillance systems in military operations. Technological advancements in antenna design, such as miniaturization, improved signal range, and enhanced durability, are helping meet the evolving requirements of modern defence forces. These integrated antennas play a crucial role in applications like radar, satellite communications, and electronic warfare by enabling secure and reliable data transmission. The growing focus on strengthening defence capabilities and the need for real-time information sharing in combat environments are further contributing to market expansion, along with ongoing innovations in materials and antenna technologies.
Recent Market JVs and Acquisitions:
A considerable number of strategic alliances, including M&As, JVs, etc., have been performed over the past few years:
- In April 2024, Kanders & Company (Fisica) acquired the antenna and test-equipment businesses from L3Harris Technologies for USD?200?million (USD?175?million in cash and a USD?25?million seller note). The deal closed in June 2024, creating Fisica, Inc., which now manufactures airborne and ground-based antennas, simulators, and electromagnetic systems for radar, communications, remote sensing, electronic warfare, and warning applications.
- Thales Group and Raytheon Technologies continue their 50:50 joint venture, ThalesRaytheon Systems (TRS), which focuses on delivering advanced C4I systems, radar solutions, electronic warfare subsystems, and battlefield communications that heavily rely on integrated antenna technologies.
- In late 2024, L3Harris Technologies partnered with Palantir Technologies to integrate Palantir’s AI-driven decision management platform with L3Harris’s sensors and communications systems, enhancing next-generation battlefield connectivity and smart sensor integration for defence antenna architectures.
Recent Product Development:
- In February 2024, L3Harris Technologies showcased a digital phased array antenna prototype. This SATCOM-enabled system demonstrated the ability to manage over 300 satellite contacts per day, including up to eight simultaneous links, significantly enhancing connectivity for defence applications.
- In mid-2024, L3Harris introduced the SPARTIN multi-band transceiver antenna. Designed to operate across UHF to Ku-band frequencies, SPARTIN supports extended-range communications with up to 15 dB insertion loss tolerance, making it suitable for tactical operations centres, mobile platforms, naval ships, and perimeter surveillance.
- In August 2024, Maxar Technologies deployed the first satellites in its WorldView Legion constellation. These satellites feature advanced integrated antenna systems that deliver near-real-time imagery and data relay, improving geospatial intelligence capabilities for military operations.
- In early 2025, Maxar Technologies released “Raptor,” a terrain-based positioning software. Although primarily software, Raptor works in conjunction with Maxar’s integrated satellite communication antennas to provide resilient navigation and drone positioning in GPS-denied environments.
- In June 2025, researchers introduced the Intelligent Rotatable Antenna (IRA). This innovation, though still in the research phase, offers dynamic beam steering and spatial adaptability, improving signal strength and coverage for future integrated sensing, communication, and computing (ISCC) systems.
Segment Analysis
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Segmentations
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List of Sub-Segments
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Segments with High-Growth Opportunity
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Antenna-Type Analysis
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Array Antenna, Aperture Antenna, Microstrip Antenna, Wire Antenna
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Array Antennas dominates market share, driven by demand for beamforming, high-throughput satellite comms, AESA radar, and electronic warfare systems.
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Platform-Type Analysis
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Airborne (fighter jets, UAVs, helicopters), Ground / Combat Vehicles / UGV, Marine (ships, submarines)
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Airborne – fastest growing (CAGR ~6.5–7%), owing to increasing UAV & fighter jet deployment; Marine – strong due to naval UAV comms, submarine ops.
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Application-Type Analysis
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Communication Systems, Navigation and Surveillance, Electronic Warfare, Telemetry
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Communication Systems, the largest segment, is essential for battlefield connectivity; Electronic Warfare is the fastest growing, driven by anti-jamming, advanced radar support
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Frequency Band-Type Analysis
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HF/VHF/UHF, L-band, S-band, X-band, Ku-band, Ka-band
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X-Band holds the largest share due to its high-throughput satellite-to-ground links, as well as naval tracking. High?Frequency (HF) is widely used for long-range communication.
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Region Analysis
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North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and The Rest of the World
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Asia?Pacific has the highest regional growth (2022–2026), driven by UAV expansion, defence modernisation in countries like China, India, South Korea, North America, the largest current share, and sustained dominance
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By Antenna Type
“Array antennas are expected to remain dominant, whereas conformal antennas will be the fastest-growing antenna of the market during the forecast period.”
The defence integrated antenna market is segmented into array antennas, aperture antennas, microstrip antennas, and conformal antennas. Array antennas are expected to remain dominant, whereas conformal antennas will be the fastest-growing antenna type in the market during the forecast period.
Array antennas hold the largest share as they are extensively used in radar, surveillance, and satellite communication systems owing to their superior beamforming, high gain, and tracking capabilities. Their demand is further fuelled by continuous defence modernisation programs globally.
Conformal antennas are expected to witness the fastest growth due to their ability to integrate seamlessly with the surface of military platforms, enhancing stealth features and aerodynamics. The rising adoption of stealth technology in next-generation fighter aircraft and UAVs drives their rapid market expansion.
By Platform Type
“Airborne platforms are expected to remain dominant, whereas unmanned systems will be the fastest-growing platform segment in the market during the forecast period.”
The defence integrated antenna market is segmented into airborne, ground-based, and naval platforms. Airborne platforms are expected to remain dominant, whereas unmanned systems will be the fastest-growing platform segment in the market during the forecast period.
Airborne platforms, including fighter jets, UAVs, helicopters, and transport aircraft, dominate the market due to their crucial role in communication, radar, and surveillance missions. High investments in upgrading airborne defence systems and increasing UAV deployment sustain this dominance.
Unmanned ground and aerial systems are projected to grow at the highest rate, driven by the expanding use of drones and autonomous military vehicles requiring advanced, compact, and high-frequency antennas to enhance operational performance in combat environments.
By Application Type
“Communication systems are expected to remain dominant, whereas electronic warfare systems will be the fastest-growing application segment in the market during the forecast period.”
The defence integrated antenna market is segmented into communication, radar, navigation & surveillance, and electronic warfare applications. Communication systems are expected to remain dominant, whereas electronic warfare systems will be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period.
Communication antennas maintain the largest market share due to their essential role in enabling secure, real-time data exchange in military operations. They are widely deployed across land, air, and sea platforms to ensure reliable connectivity.
Electronic warfare antennas are anticipated to grow rapidly, supported by increasing investments in spectrum dominance technologies, anti-jamming systems, and advanced EW solutions to counter evolving threats on the battlefield.
By Frequency Band Type
“X-band is expected to remain dominant, whereas Ku-band and Ka-band will be the fastest-growing frequency segments in the market during the forecast period.”
The defence integrated antenna market is segmented into HF/VHF/UHF, L-band, S-band, C-band, X-band, Ku-band, and Ka-band. X-band is expected to remain dominant, whereas Ku-band and Ka-band will be the fastest-growing frequency segments during the forecast period.
X-band dominates due to its extensive use in naval radar, satellite communications, and defence tracking systems, offering high-resolution and secure connectivity. Continuous military upgrades strengthen its position.
Ku-band and Ka-band are projected to grow significantly as modern defence applications increasingly require high-bandwidth satellite communications and compact antenna systems compatible with next-generation military satellites.
Regional Analysis
“North America is expected to remain dominant, whereas Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the market during the forecast period.”
The defence integrated antenna market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and the Rest of the World. North America is expected to remain dominant, whereas Asia-Pacific will be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period. North America leads due to its high defence spending, advanced technological capabilities, and the presence of key defence contractors. The U.S. Department of Defence’s focus on modernising radar and satellite communications systems further reinforces this dominance.
Asia-Pacific is expected to record the highest growth, powered by increasing defence budgets, procurement of advanced platforms, and modernisation programs in countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea.
