Defense Electronics Market Size, Share, and Trends 2024 to 2033

Defense Electronics Market Size and Forecast

The global defense electronics market size was USD 168.20 billion in 2023, calculated at USD 176.81 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach around USD 277.13 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 5.12% from 2024 to 2033. The defense electronics market is driven by the growing need in military operations for Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) gadgets.

Defense Electronics Market Key Takeaways

• Asia-Pacific dominated the defense electronics market in 2023.
• North America shows a significant growth in the defense electronics market during the forecast period.
• By platform, the airborne segment dominated the market in 2023.
• By platform, the space segment is observed to be the fastest growing in the defense electronics market during the forecast period.
• By vertical, the optronics segment dominated the defense electronics market in 2023.
• By vertical, the communication and display segment is observed to be the fastest growing in the market during the forecast period.

Market Overview

Defense electronics are electronic systems and components intended for technological superiority in national defense. Cybersecurity breaches, low profit margins, and supply chain concerns are just a few of the growing issues facing the defense sector. Production and technological grounds for defense are essentially defense capabilities in and of themselves. To preserve and fortify them, comprehensive actions are required.

The defense electronics market provides products and services for vehicle communications and data systems, surveillance systems, weapon systems, fire control systems, maritime tactical systems, soldier systems, and electronic warfare systems.

Defense Electronics Market Trends

• The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 2023, which provides the Defense Department with $816.7 billion, was signed into law by President Joe Biden. Members of the military and civilian departments will receive pay increases of 4.6 percent under the act. To combat the impacts of inflation and expedite the execution of the National Defense Strategy, it provides $45 billion more than was initially proposed.
• China's yearly defense budget growth will be in the single digits for the eighth consecutive year, with a 7.2 percent increase in 2023.
• Regarding military spending, India ranked fourth globally in 2023, having invested $83.6 billion to update its weaponry and battle systems. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reports that the top three spenders were the United States, China, and Russia, in that order. India increased their military spending by 4.2 percent in 2023 over 2022. India is investing in its modernization efforts in tanks, artillery guns, fighter jets, helicopters, warships, rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other combat systems.
• According to the research, Russia plans to spend over US$140 billion on military expenditures in 2024, which would be 29% higher in real terms than in 2023 and account for 35% of all government spending and 7.1 percent of GDP.

Defense Electronics Market Growth Factors

• Governments are investing more in their defense capabilities due to recurrent conflicts and rising geopolitical tensions, which in turn is increasing demand for sophisticated electronic systems.
• The increasing reliance of the military on information and communication technology exposes it to cyberattacks; thus, defense electronics must invest in strong cybersecurity solutions. This drives the growth of the defense electronics market.
• Incorporating artificial intelligence drives the need for complex electronics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other cutting-edge technology into military equipment.
• Precision weaponry, electronic communication, and surveillance play a major role in modern warfare. This means that new and improved defense electronics are needed all the time.
• There is a constant need for new systems, as aging defensive electronics need to be upgraded or replaced with more contemporary models as they become obsolete.

Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Driver

Increasing defense expenditure

Due to increased defense resources, governments can purchase state-of-the-art radar systems, communication networks, electronic warfare systems, and surveillance equipment. The modernization of military forces and the improvement of their operational capabilities depend heavily on these technologies. As cybersecurity threats increase, defense electronics become essential for protecting military networks and information systems. The development of cyber defense systems, encryption technologies, and secure communication channels is funded by governments, which propels the expansion of the defense electronics industry. This drives the growth of the defense electronics market.

Restraint

Growing cyberattacks on defense related data

Resolving cyberattacks requires large financial resources for improving cybersecurity, restoring systems, and mitigating harm. The cost of cyber insurance is rising along with cyber threats, raising the overall operating costs for defense businesses. Frequent cyberattacks have the potential to damage defense firms' reputations with government agencies, resulting in strained relations and fewer contracts. Stock values may fall, and investment may diminish because of investors losing faith in military electronics businesses. This limits the growth of the defense electronics market.

Opportunity

Increasing demand for defense electronics in border security

Global territorial conflicts and rising geopolitical tensions are the main causes behind the demand for stronger border security. Governments make significant investments in defense electronics to protect their borders from attackers. The security of borders has been completely transformed by advancements in surveillance technologies, including radar, satellite systems, and drones. Improved monitoring and threat identification are made possible by high-resolution cameras, thermal imaging, and night vision capabilities. This opens an opportunity for the growth of the defense electronics market.

Platform Insights

The airborne segment dominated the defense electronics market in 2023. Airborne platforms equipped with cutting-edge electronics make mission-critical functions, including target acquisition, surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strikes, possible. These capabilities are critical to modern defensive plans for both conventional and asymmetric combat scenarios. Airborne electronics are strategically essential for military, national security, and geopolitical stability. Deterrence and preserving military balance in diverse global locations depend heavily on the capacity to sustain air superiority and carry out efficient airborne operations.

The space segment is observed to be the fastest growing in the defense electronics market during the forecast period. The use of military and government satellites for navigation, communication, surveillance, and reconnaissance has increased significantly. Sophisticated electronics are needed for high-resolution imagery, real-time situational awareness, and secure data transfer on these satellites. Globally, governments depend more and more on assets located in space to improve their defense capacities. This covers space-based missile defense systems, satellite-based information gathering, and satellite constellations for international communication networks. Advanced electronics specifically designed for space settings are required for each application.

Vertical Insights

The optronics segment dominated the defense electronics market in 2023. Advanced sensor technologies including electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) systems are used in optics. These sensors offer vital functions like thermal imaging, night vision, and target acquisition for military operations involving surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting. Optronics improve situational awareness by giving real-time visual information even in dimly lit areas or inclement weather. For military operations where visibility may be impaired, this skill is essential.

The communication and display segment is observed to be the fastest growing in the defense electronics market during the forecast period. Communication technology, such as satellite communication, secure communication systems, and cutting-edge encryption methods, have improved significantly. These developments push the need for sophisticated communication devices, which are essential to contemporary defense operations. Defense electronics are in greater need of secure communication solutions due to the increasing cybersecurity threats. The need for secure networks and encryption technologies to maintain data integrity and secrecy motivates investments in communication systems.

Regional Insights

Asia-Pacific dominated the defense electronics market in 2023. Over half of the world's population resides in Asia. Over the past ten years, Asia has contributed 43% of startup investment, 51% of R&D spending, and 52% of the global growth in tech company revenues. Asia has made remarkable advancements in human development, literacy, and innovation during the past ten years, as well as economic progress, thanks to the expansion of its infrastructure and technological capacities. Asia has embraced the digital revolution in several sectors, including banking, manufacturing, e-commerce, transportation, retail, and finance.

Asian businesses are putting a high priority on and investigating cutting edge technologies, such as big data, robots, digital ledger technologies, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cryptography. These technologies have the power to completely transform society and the global economy. The epidemic showed how quickly technology is developing.

North America shows a significant growth in the defense electronics market during the forecast period. Improving military capabilities is becoming increasingly important due to changing geopolitical dynamics and new threats. This involves expenditures on advanced electronic systems to guarantee better communications on the battlefield, command and control, and situational awareness. Defense contractors, IT companies, and academic institutions can form strategic alliances to further speed up innovation and create state-of-the-art defense electronics solutions. These partnerships frequently provide cutting-edge goods that are suited to certain defense requirements.

• In January 2024, the Defence Equipment Sales Authority (DESA) of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Royal Mint collaborated to offer a creative and long-lasting solution for the disposal of electronic military equipment. Electronic garbage is one of the waste streams that is expanding the fastest; it is believed that approximately 7% of the world's gold is contained in it. The Canadian business Excir developed a proprietary technique that the Royal Mint uses to recover valuable metals from circuit boards at room temperature.

Recent Developments

• In June 2024, Honeywell declared that it had completed a $1.9 billion all-cash acquisition of CAES Systems Holdings, a defense electronics manufacturer. The acquisition would broaden Honeywell's portfolio to include work on the SPY-6 naval radar, drone, and counter-drone technologies. It will also strengthen Honeywell's present scope of work on platforms such as the F-35, AMRAAM air-to-air missile, EA-18 Growler, and GMLERS guided missiles.

Defense Electronics Market Companies

• Raytheon Technologies Corporation
• Curtis Wright Corporation
• Boeing
• Aselsan A.S.
• Lockhead Martin Corporation
• Thales Group
• L3 Harris Technologies
• Teledyne Defense Electronics
• BAE Systems
• North Grumman Corporation

Segments Covered in the Report

By Platform

• Airborne
• Space
• Land
• Marine

By Vertical

• Optronics
• Communication and Display
• C4ISR
• Electronic Warfare
• Radar
• Navigation

By Geography

• North America
• Asia Pacific
• Europe
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa