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The defense tactical radio market is a vital component of modern military communication systems, encompassing a range of radio devices designed for use in tactical environments. These radios play a crucial role in facilitating secure and reliable communication among military personnel, enabling effective coordination, command, and control during operations.
With the increasing complexity of modern warfare scenarios and the growing need for interoperability among allied forces, there is a rising demand for advanced tactical radio systems capable of supporting multiple communication protocols, encryption standards, and frequency bands. Additionally, the integration of features such as software-defined radio (SDR) technology allows for greater flexibility and adaptability in response to evolving mission requirements, further driving the market growth.
Key factors influencing the defense tactical radio market include technological advancements, such as the development of smaller, lighter, and more power-efficient radios, enhancing mobility and operational effectiveness for soldiers. Furthermore, the growing emphasis on network-centric warfare and the digitization of the battlefield are driving investments in next-generation tactical communication solutions.
Geopolitical tensions, increasing defense budgets in various countries, and the modernization of military forces worldwide are also significant contributors to the expansion of the defense tactical radio market. Overall, as military organizations seek to maintain superiority in communications technology to address emerging threats and challenges, the demand for innovative and reliable tactical radio systems is expected to continue growing in the coming years.
Motorola introduced DynaTAC 8000x, the first commercial handheld cell phone in 1983, weighting 800gms with 10 hours of recharge time and cost $3,500-$4,000. In the early 1980s it was touted as among the greatest revolution in communication equipment for defence personnel in modern history.
Batteries have always been the major limitation for wearable computing devices including defense tactical radio for individual warfighting personnel. Lightweight, long-lasting, fast, and field-rechargeable batteries have been in heavy demand. As Battlefield deployments could last up to 3-4 days, short-lived batteries could be fatal to personnel relying on in-uniform communications and other related devices.
The defense tactical radio market plays a pivotal role in modern military operations, providing essential communication capabilities for troops deployed in various operational environments. These radio systems are specifically designed to facilitate secure, reliable, and resilient communication channels for military personnel, ensuring effective command and control in dynamic and often challenging situations.
As the nature of warfare evolves, with an increasing emphasis on network-centric operations and interoperability among allied forces, the demand for advanced and interoperable tactical radio solutions continues to rise. The defense tactical radio market encompasses a wide range of technologies, including software-defined radios (SDRs), satellite communication (SATCOM) systems, and handheld radios, all tailored to meet the stringent requirements of military communications while adapting to evolving threats and operational scenarios.
In recent years, the defense tactical radio market has witnessed significant technological advancements driven by the need for enhanced situational awareness, data sharing capabilities, and secure communications. Manufacturers are investing heavily in research and development to integrate cutting-edge features such as cognitive radio technologies, spectrum management tools, and encryption mechanisms to safeguard sensitive information transmitted over these networks.
Furthermore, the growing trend towards network-centric warfare and the integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning are reshaping the landscape of defense communication systems, driving innovation and opening new opportunities for market growth. With defense agencies worldwide prioritizing modernization efforts to maintain operational superiority, the defense tactical radio market is poised for sustained expansion in the coming years.
Since 2018, many armies across the globe are looking to capitalize on the Internet of Things(IoT), highly secure networking along with smartphone-like computing to improve their communication. Reduced size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements have become a reality in nearly every Defense program now.
The US Army is now looking to further integrate cloud computing technologies into military micro-cell for front role warriors and software-defined radios to connect cell phones, laptop computers, and tactical radios.
US DARPA wants communication contractors to provide long-range communication through mosaic antennas comprising low-size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) transceiver elements. The mosaic approach could also work with unmodified military tactical radios and waveforms, and still be cost-effective.
Feb 2021- Indian MoD to buy software-defined radio tech from BEL worth over $137M.
Feb 2021- Northrop Secures Australia’s $330M Deal for EW Jammers to Foil Radio-Controlled IEDs.
Dec 2020- Elbit Systems to Provide Additional Digital Soldier and Vehicular Systems under $50M deal to the Royal Netherlands Army.
Nov 2020- South Korean Military to get Samsung Smartphone-Based Combat Information Device.
Oct 2020- The Spanish Army selected Elbit Systems to supply 1000 additional E-LynX software-defined radios in a contract worth ~$7.7M.
May 2020- U.S. Navy awarded ViaSat and Data Link Solutions, a five-year contract worth ~$0.99 Billion to provide digital tactical networking and voice communications capability for U.S. and allied aircraft, land vehicles, and surface warships
May 2020– The U.S. Army awarded a contract for tactical network man-pack radios from L3Harris and Collins Aerospace worth $203.2 Million. the production will begin in Q1-2021
May 2020– US-based Silvus Technologies was awarded a $3.9 million order from the U.S. Army to provide tactical Mobile Ad Hoc (MANET) radios
March 2020- Marine corps officials awarded a $382 Million, 5-year contract to L3Harris for RF-300H-MP manpack radios, RF-300H-MP vehicle-mount radios, and RF-300H-MP radio transit cases. It is to be noted that the RF-300H delivers data 10X faster than the AN/PRC-150(C) it will replace by March 2025
Sep 2019- Collins Aerospace was awarded a contract to provide AN/ARC-210 secure avionics radios for U.S. and allied Military aviation. It will also provide additional AN/ARC-210 avionics radios and related equipment for U.S. and foreign military aircraft. The order is valued at $310 Million. The new equipment is expected to be delivered by Sep 2022
Sep 2019– Northrop Grumman was awarded a $51 Million contract to build Huntsman secure networking radio for aviation and missile-defense applications. The LX-4-SAB radio offers NSA-certified Suite B cryptography and several radio frequencies for anti-jam redundancy. The radio is water-resistant and can withstand temperature extremes, wind, rain, snow and dust.
June 2019- Naval Information Warfare Systems Command in San Diego awarded a $41.5 Million 5-year contract to L-3.HF radio. L-3 will do the work in Camden and should be finished by June 2024
May 2019– Israel-based Elbit Technologies was awarded a $127 Million contract to supply vehicular tactical radio systems. The vehicular tactical radio systems will be delivered in 2022. The radios will include multiple configurations for the integration of a range of armored vehicles and tanks
Feb 2019– New Zealand Army awarded Harris Defence Australia a $40 Million contract for a new tactical communications network. Till Jan 2019, the Australian defence forces had some 20,000 Harris radios across land, sea and air platforms.
US Army is expected to spend $9.6 Billion between 2020-2025 to upgrade communication equipment. The investment will be made for the 2-channel Leader radio, the Manpack radio and the Rifleman radio The critical design review for Capability Set`21 has already been conducted.
The Defense Tactical Radio market is estimated to be worth $ XX billion by 2030, and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of YY%. Another report projects that the market will reach $XX billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of YY% from 2024 to 2030.
The defence tactical radio market has about 15 major suppliers who rely on cutting-edge R&D for new product development. The L3Harris has developed an RF-410 Next Generation Power Amplifier (NGPA) which maximizes mission flexibility and enhances tactical agility by eliminating the need for multiple power amplifiers. It is lightweight and provides radio-agnostic capabilities and multiband support. The radio offers access to networked voice and data, over the frequency range of 30-2600 MHz
Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), South Korea has announced that the South Korean military will receive a Samsung smartphone-based device to view real-time battle information without relying on communications networks, by mid-2021.
US Army has asked new vendors to help them with radios that can integrate with augmented reality system, IVAS (Integrated Visual Augmentation System). The U.S. Army researchers have developed an innovative soldier decision-making system which is based on Cross Reality (XR), an augmented-mixed and virtual reality, that allows warfighters to retrieve relevant information quickly in support of mission-critical decisions.
India’s BEL has developed a software-defined radio-Tac, which is a four Channel Multi-mode, Multi-Band, 19’’ Rack-mountable, ship-borne Software Radio system, that will help the Navy for quick data communications.
L3Harris introduced the RF-300H wideband radio system in Q1- 2017 to enable personnel to use wide-band HF to transmit data files beyond the line of sight. Harris was also among the very first companies to to deploy software-defined radios (SDRs) based on specifications from the now-defunct Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS) program.
Collins cryptography is using Tactical Secure Voice Suite B algorithms to secure the ARC-210 radios. Rohde & Schwarz was awarded a $16 Million- 7-year contract in April 2018 for shipboard and mobile long-range communications. The deliverable included HF radio transceiver systems from the company’s series 2000 and 4100 radio communications families.
In Jan 2020, BAE Systems completed the acquisition of Raytheon Technologies Corporation’s Airborne Tactical Radios business after receiving regulatory and other customary approvals. In the very same month, Northrop Grumman won a contract to develop an open architecture radio for the USAF battle management system. The contract is aimed at providing four radio frequency waveforms: Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL), Link-16 CMN-4, Common Data Link (CDL), and Multi-User Objective System (MUOS).
The defense tactical radio market is experiencing a significant trend towards advanced communication solutions tailored for modern military operations. With the increasing complexity of security threats and the need for seamless interoperability among armed forces, defense organizations worldwide are prioritizing the procurement of cutting-edge tactical radio systems. These systems are characterized by their ability to provide secure, reliable, and resilient communication channels in diverse operational environments, including urban areas, remote regions, and complex battlefield scenarios.
Moreover, there is a growing emphasis on integrating emerging technologies such as software-defined radios (SDR), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) algorithms into tactical radio platforms to enhance situational awareness, spectrum efficiency, and information superiority on the battlefield. As defense agencies continue to invest in modernization initiatives and network-centric warfare capabilities, the defense tactical radio market is expected to witness steady growth, driven by the demand for advanced communication solutions that enable agile and effective command and control operations.
In response to evolving defense requirements, manufacturers in the defense tactical radio market are continually developing innovative products to enhance communication capabilities for military forces worldwide. One notable advancement is the integration of software-defined radio (SDR) technology, which allows for greater flexibility and interoperability across different communication networks. This enables military personnel to seamlessly communicate across various platforms and frequencies, enhancing situational awareness and mission effectiveness.
Additionally, there has been a focus on reducing the size, weight, and power consumption of tactical radios without compromising performance, facilitating easier integration into vehicles, aircraft, and individual soldier kits. Moreover, advancements in encryption and cybersecurity features are being prioritized to ensure secure and reliable communication in the face of emerging threats. Overall, ongoing product development efforts in the defense tactical radio market are geared towards providing military forces with cutting-edge communication solutions tailored to the demands of modern warfare scenarios.
Market Segmentation of the Defense Tactical Radio Market:
By Application:
By End-Use:
By Type:
By Technology:
Geographic Segmentation:
North America
The North American market, particularly the USA, will be one of the prime markets for (Defense Tactical Radio) due to the nature of industrial automation in the region, high consumer spending compared to other regions, and the growth of various industries, mainly AI, along with constant technological advancements. The GDP of the USA is one of the largest in the world, and it is home to various industries such as Pharmaceuticals, Aerospace, and Technology. The average consumer spending in the region was $72K in 2023, and this is set to increase over the forecast period. Industries are focused on industrial automation and increasing efficiency in the region. This will be facilitated by the growth in IoT and AI across the board. Due to tensions in geopolitics, much manufacturing is set to shift towards the USA and Mexico, away from China. This shift will include industries such as semiconductors and automotive.
Europe
The European market, particularly Western Europe, is another prime market for (Defense Tactical Radio) due to the strong economic conditions in the region, bolstered by robust systems that support sustained growth. This includes research and development of new technologies, constant innovation, and developments across various industries that promote regional growth. Investments are being made to develop and improve existing infrastructure, enabling various industries to thrive. In Western Europe, the margins for (Defense Tactical Radio) are higher than in other parts of the world due to regional supply and demand dynamics. Average consumer spending in the region was lower than in the USA in 2023, but it is expected to increase over the forecast period.
Eastern Europe is anticipated to experience a higher growth rate compared to Western Europe, as significant shifts in manufacturing and development are taking place in countries like Poland and Hungary. However, the Russia-Ukraine war is currently disrupting growth in this region, with the lack of an immediate resolution negatively impacting growth and creating instability in neighboring areas. Despite these challenges, technological hubs are emerging in Eastern Europe, driven by lower labor costs and a strong supply of technological capabilities compared to Western Europe.
There is a significant boom in manufacturing within Europe, especially in the semiconductor industry, which is expected to influence other industries. Major improvements in the development of sectors such as renewable energy, industrial automation, automotive manufacturing, battery manufacturing and recycling, and AI are poised to promote the growth of (Defense Tactical Radio) in the region.
Asia
Asia will continue to be the global manufacturing hub for (Defense Tactical Radio) over the forecast period with China dominating the manufacturing. However, there will be a shift in manufacturing towards other Asian countries such as India and Vietnam. The technological developments will come from China, Japan, South Korea, and India for the region. There is a trend to improve the efficiency as well as the quality of goods and services to keep up with the standards that are present internationally as well as win the fight in terms of pricing in this region. The demand in this region will also be driven by infrastructural developments that will take place over the forecast period to improve the output for various industries in different countries.
There will be higher growth in the Middle East as investments fall into place to improve their standing in various industries away from petroleum. Plans such as Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, Qatar Vision 2030, and Abu Dhabi 2030 will cause developments across multiple industries in the region. There is a focus on improving the manufacturing sector as well as the knowledge-based services to cater to the needs of the region and the rest of the world. Due to the shifting nature of fossil fuels, the region will be ready with multiple other revenue sources by the time comes, though fossil fuels are not going away any time soon.
Africa
Africa is expected to see the largest growth in (Defense Tactical Radio Market) over the forecast period, as the region prepares to advance across multiple fronts. This growth aligns with the surge of investments targeting key sectors such as agriculture, mining, financial services, manufacturing, logistics, automotive, and healthcare. These investments are poised to stimulate overall regional growth, creating ripple effects across other industries as consumer spending increases, access to products improves, and product offerings expand. This development is supported by both established companies and startups in the region, with assistance from various charitable organizations. Additionally, the presence of a young workforce will address various existing regional challenges. There has been an improvement in political stability, which has attracted and will continue to attract more foreign investments. Initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are set to facilitate the easier movement of goods and services within the region, further enhancing the economic landscape.
RoW
Latin America and the Oceania region will showcase growth over the forecast period in (Defense Tactical Radio Market). In Latin America, the focus in the forecast period will be to improve their manufacturing capabilities which is supported by foreign investments in the region. This will be across industries mainly automotive and medical devices. There will also be an increase in mining activities over the forecast period in this region. The area is ripe for industrial automation to enable improvements in manufacturing across different industries and efficiency improvements. This will lead to growth of other industries in the region.
