Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar Market Size & Share 2026-2035

Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar Market Size

The global active electronically scanned array radar market was valued at USD 9.9 billion in 2025. The market is expected to grow from USD 10.6 billion in 2026 to USD 14.6 billion in 2031 & USD 19.3 billion in 2035, at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period according to the latest report published by Global Market Insights Inc.

The growth of the market is attributed to increasing procurement of next generation fighter aircrafts and ongoing modernizing operations, increase in the implementation of the AESA based radar system for various naval and air defense systems. Further, growing awareness about multifunction radar system and rising government programs for the indigenous development of radar and advanced electronics have propelled the adoption of these advanced systems.

The active electronically scanned array radar market is significantly driven by modernizing existing combat aircraft fleet for strengthening capabilities like detecting, targeting, positioning, locating, and surveillance and growing government defense acquisition of contemporary fighter radars to improve the military fighting force’s ability against advancing air combat capabilities and enemy's electronic warfare for defense forces. For instance, UK ministry of defense announced investment of over USD 500 million in an additional 40 new ECRS Mk2 radar sets, including 38 new systems and refits to two test systems for the royal air force typhoon fighter jets. The order represents ongoing UK government support for replacing existing radar systems with state-of-the-art electronical scanned radars, to feed demand for airborne AESA radars.^{[1]UK Govt, gov.uk}

Additionally, the market is also driven by rapid rollout of AESA radar to support ship-based air and missile defense, as governments respond to the increased threat of a new generation of small, fast and capable air defense threats. AESA naval radar has become more important capability in new ships providing enhanced sensitivity, enabling simultaneous surveillance and targeting in a fire-and-forget capacity, offering much greater capability against advanced and evasive target sets. For instance, US department of defense ordered to Raytheon USD 536 million for the production and integration support for their AN/SPY-6(V) air and missile defense radar, with the total contract value able to reach about USD 2.9 billion. Besides servicing US requirement, the order will support Germany through their foreign military sales programme, illustrating an increasing overseas penetration of naval AESA radar capability.^{[2]US department of war, war.gov}

The market increased steadily from USD 8.1 billion in 2022 and reached USD 9.2 billion in 2024, is primarily fueled by greater purchase of next generation jet fighter and continuous upgradation of older military aircraft using AESA radars. Growing defense spending to build next generation air and missile defense solutions was of great assistance for expansion during this duration. Apart from these, growing adoption of multifunction radar for a wider array of naval and land applications, substitution of conventional mechanically scanning radars for AESA radars, the development of transmit/receive module using gallium nitride (GaN) technology, and the importance attributed to a higher level of tracking of threats along with threat identification and improved electronic warfare capabilities all led to enhanced market penetration.

Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar Market Trends

• There is growing use of gallium nitride semiconductors to re-ignite radar effectiveness GaN enables the radar systems, including airborne electronic scanned array (AESA) radars, with high power density, efficient power delivery, improved heat dissipation, and extended detection range. During the early-2020s the defense manufacturers have increased its momentum of adopting gallium nitride technology that will further continue until 2032 of offering robust, faster, more efficient transmit/receive (T/R) modules of the new-generation radar systems with higher resolution and extended coverage and superior target detecting capabilities to fight evolving sophisticated threats.
• The multi-function multifunction radar with additional modules will improve modern platforms flexibility of operations. This increase was observed primarily since 2020 with a modernizing phase fighter jets and integrated air defence. This dynamic is likely to be sustained in the course of 2030 with the further emphasis of armed services for the software defined and multifunction solutions with multi-target-tracking, identifying and destroying at the same time, minimizing the usage of different types of sensors, thus maximizing situational and mission capabilities.
• AI, machine learning, and new digital signal processing solutions will increase capability for the automated detection, classification and prioritization of targets and threats. This trend will accelerate between 2022-2032 driven by growing pressure for the use of AI techniques to analyze increasingly large volumes of radar data, handle modern and future threat types such as drones, cruise missiles and stealth aircraft. The more extensive inclusion of AI based signal processing and adaptive beam forming in next generation designs to improve targeting accuracy, increase the capacity of human operators and achieve greater resistance to EW and quicker detection, identification, targeting and prioritization in dense EW environments.

Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar Market Analysis

Based on platform type, the AESA radar market is divided into airborne, naval and ground-based.

• The airborne segment led the market in 2025, holding a 48.8% share. Increasing implementation of AESA system in fighter, airborne early warning & control, unmanned aircraft and other military aircraft have major role to lead this segment. Long range detection, quick electronic beam scanning capability, multi target tracking simultaneously, high resolution mapping as well as less affected by electronic countermeasures are the major advantages of AESA radar. Increasing procurement of new-age fighter aircraft and replacement of existing fighter fleets by advanced AESA equipped fighter jets is continuously enhancing demand for airborne radar.
• The naval segment is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% over the forecast period. Increasing fund for naval fleet modernization program and adoption of multi-function high powered advanced AESA radar system in various destroyers, frigates, aircraft carriers and other surface combatants is enhancing the demand for naval radar. These radars are capable of simultaneously monitoring air and surface, tracking number of targets, fire control assistance and ability to detect various type of upcoming threats such as anti-ship ballistic, anti-ship cruise missile and UAV among others.

Based on application, the active electronically scanned array radar market is divided into surveillance & early warning, tracking & target identification, fire control & engagement, and missile defense & counter-UAS.

• The surveillance & early warning segment dominated the market in 2025 and was valued at USD 3.5 billion. The surge of AESA radars applications across continuous air surveillance, long-range air and missile detection, border security, and airborne and maritime situational awareness applications propelled the segment to capture a largest share in the overall market in 2025. The unique features such as electronic beam steering with unparalleled speed, simultaneously track multitude of targets, accuracy, and capability to perform efficiently under cluttering E-M conditions have aided the AESA radar penetration in airborne early warning aircraft, naval warships, and ground-based air defense systems.
• The missile defense & counter-UAS segment is expected to witness growth at a CAGR of 8.8% during the forecast period. The ever-increasing threats posed by ballistic & cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and unmanned systems drive the growth of the segment. The ability of AESA radars to detect, classify, and track targets at high speeds, as well as to provide fire-control quality information to combat against high speed and stealthy threats is crucial in missile defense and counter-UAS systems. The extensive investment in integrated air and missile defense solutions along with the adoption of counter-UAS for the defense of sensitive infrastructure contribute to the increasing use of AESA radars in these operations.

Based on fit type, the active electronically scanned array radar market is divided into line fit and retrofit.

• The line fit segment dominated the market in 2025 and was valued at USD 5.8 billion as AESA radar is becoming integral in newly-built fighter jets, frigates and destroys, aerially equipped surveillance platforms, and cutting-edge terrestrial defense systems. This growing need for the next-generation military vehicles in concert with AESA systems that offer advanced detection range, tracking abilities for multiple targets, e-warfare functions and heightened battlefield awareness underpins its widespread adoption.
• The retrofit segment is expected to witness growth at a CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period as countries globally endeavor to modernization aged armed personnel, aircraft as well as naval vehicles equipped with AESA radars system. Defense organizations worldwide are phasing out aging mechanical scanner-based systems and electronic based systems with advanced one to extend aircraft serviceability though, simultaneously enhance capability for electronic countermeasures in EW suite, enhanced situation awareness, enhanced tracking ability, and target acquisition.

North America Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar Market

North America held a share of 35.7% of market in 2025.

• In North America, the market is growing due to expenditure on defense modernization initiatives, the acquisition of next generation fighters and the refurbishment of existing air, naval, and ground radar systems drives growth. U.S. defense department investments in AESA equipped platforms and integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) assets and Canada's continued modernization of air defense and surveillance infrastructure through NORAD modernization (N) programs, the growth prospects for longer range, multi-target tracking, fire control, and electronic warfare (EW)-capable systems are enhanced.
• The investment by governments and companies in gallium nitride (GaN) based technologies, multifunction sensor capabilities, digital beam forming, and enhanced signal-processing architectures all contribute to demand. Major regional programs including AN/APG-81 (F-35), AN/APG-83 (F-16) are also supporting regional expansion.

The U.S. market was valued at USD 2.7 billion and USD 2.9 billion in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The market size reached USD 3.2 billion in 2025, growing from USD 3 billion in 2024.

• The growth of the market in the U.S. is particularly strong due to upgradation current fighter aircraft as well as investments in air and missile defense programs. For air platforms, the ongoing upgrades of the AN/APG-81 radar aboard F-35, AN/APG-83 SABR on F-16 and AN/APG-79 for the F/A-18 E/F provide a significant potential for the expansion of airborne applications and retrofits on already operated, aged fighter aircraft fleets.
• For instance, US navy announced the deployment of an AN/SPY-6(V) air and missile defense radar to a new, third flight of Arleigh burke-class destroyers of the US navy. The AN/SPY-6(V) offers enhanced sensitivity over legacy SPY-1 systems, enabling the U.S. navy to effectively detect, track and discriminate between targets-especially at greater range and increasing speed-like larger, slower objects.^{[3]US navy, navy.mil}

Europe Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar Market

Europe market accounted for USD 2.1 billion in 2025 and is anticipated to show lucrative growth over the forecast period.

• The demand for active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar systems in the Europe is growing as countries step-up defense modernization. The growing order intake for 5th generation fighter aircraft and enhanced integrated air and missile defense capabilities are also driving demand. The European nations have been integrating advanced AESA systems on combat aircraft, naval platforms and air-surveillance radars to enable long-range detection, tracking of multiple targets, electronic warfare and situational awareness for combating the emerging air and missile threats.
• Furthermore, the integration of radar upgrade on Eurofighter typhoon fighter aircraft, programs like the future combat air system (FCAS), enhanced naval surveillance radar and ground-based air defense systems are expected to accelerate this demand further. The increasing investments in GaN-based transmit/receive module technologies, digital beamforming, multifunction radar architectures and sovereign European defense-electronics capabilities also predict sustained demand for advanced AESA radar systems in the Europe.

Germany dominates the Europe active electronically scanned array radar market, showcasing strong growth potential.

• Germany dominates the market as result of heavy investment in air defense modernization, Eurofighter defense capabilities, Naval radar, as well as ground-based surveillance ground radar defense facilities. Additional Eurofighter fighter jet procurement in Germany as well as modernization of fighter jets contributes to the utilization of scanned radar technologies, and increasing need for security for air, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicle attacks drives market share.
• For instance, the German armed forces identify the IRIS-T SLM as a key component of Germany's air-defense capabilities and the European sky shield initiative. The system can integrate multifunction radars such as the TRML-4D, an electronically scanned radar used for detecting and tracking aerial threats. Germany's deployment and expansion of modern ground-based air-defense architecture strengthens demand for AESA-class multifunction radar technology, particularly for detecting aircraft, cruise missiles, guided weapons and drones.^{[4]German armed forces, bundeshwehr.de}

Asia Pacific Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar Market

The Asia Pacific market is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period.

• The rapidly increasing market value for Asia Pacific active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar is mostly fueled by accelerating defense modernization, acquiring the next-generation fighter aircraft fleet and enhancing integrated air and missile defense capabilities. Countries like India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, China are enhancing their airborne, naval and ground-based surveillance abilities to overcome rising security threats. Increasing demand for superior long-range detection, simultaneous multi-target tracing ability, accurate fire-control abilities and enhanced resistance against electronic counter-measures are driving the AESA radar usage in the Asia Pacific.
• Furthermore, the respective governments are continuously developing their native fighter aircraft, domestically manufactured radars and a mix of naval upgradation and counter-UAS technologies. Indian LCA Tejas and Uttam AESA radar programs, South Korea's KF-21, Japanese advanced fighter jet programs and ever-expanding naval air-defense system fleet is helping the demand grow regionally.

India active electronically scanned array radar market is estimated to grow with a significant CAGR, in the Asia Pacific market.

• Indian market of AESA radar systems is rapidly increasing with expanding defense indigenization. The procurement and modernization efforts with induction of the LCA Tejas and upgradation of existing combat airframes are fueling the demand for on-board airborne radars. With indigenous development of Uttam AESA Radar, this trend will lead to a decreased reliance on foreign airborne radar systems. Increased indigenous build of LCA Tejas aircraft and retrofitting of existing jet fighters with enhanced electronic systems will create a consistent demand for radars systems and related electronic parts.
• For instance, DRDO stated that it will be developing an array of high-tech indigenous defense technologies including UTTAM AESA radar, airborne early warning and control system, drone detection radar, and Akash-NG. India’s UTTAM being one of the indigenous systems in a high-tech collection signifies India's ambition of self-reliance in the sphere of radar technologies as well as defense electronic indigenization, which will be propelling AESA market with higher focus on indigenous sensors, radar production and decreased defense electronics imports.^{[5]DRDO, drdo.gov}

Middle East and Africa Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar Market

Saudi Arabia market to experience substantial growth in the Middle East and Africa.

• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is experiencing rapid progress in the AESA radar market as the investment in the modernization of air and missile defense capabilities and the requirement to secure its military facilities, energy pipelines and important infrastructure against evolving aerial threats grow in the region. The increasing need to detect and track ballistic and cruise missiles, UAVs, and low altitude threats are propelling the adoption of advanced, multi-function radar systems that are characterized by rapid beam steering, multi-target tracking simultaneously and enhanced situational awareness.
• Continued development of integrated air and missile defense capabilities as well as modernization of combat fighters and investment in counter-UAS and surveillance systems are creating an increasing demand for deployment of AESA radar across airborne and ground-based platforms. Also, expanding partnerships among Saudi defense organizations and foreign technology developers are contributing to facilitate knowledge transfer and development of indigenous radar capabilities.

Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar Market Share

The active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar industry is led by players such as Northrop Grumman, RTX Corporation, Thales, Saab and HENSOLDT. These five companies cumulatively accounted for 53.1% market share in 2025. These companies maintain a strong market position due to established portfolios of airborne, naval, ground-based AESA systems, significant engagement in modernization defense programs and long-lasting relationships with world armed forces. Based on transmit/receive modules, digital beamforming capabilities, advanced signal processing technologies, electronic warfare suites and flexible multifunction AESA radar system architecture, such global defense giants cater need varying from fire controls in fighting jets to airborne & naval based air missile defense to ground surveillance.

These companies maintain a competitive edge through continuous investments in GaN semiconductor technology, software defined architectures of radar, AI driven signals processing solutions and sophisticated EW capabilities give them market advantages and ensures their share in next gen fighter platforms, ongoing naval modernization initiatives, global air and missile defense programs and AESA systems in updating of heritage platforms.

Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar Market Companies

Prominent players operating in the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar industry are as mentioned below:

• ASELSAN
• CEA Technologies
• General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
• Hanwha Systems
• HENSOLDT
• Indra Sistemas
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• LIG Nex1
• Mitsubishi Electric
• Northrop Grumman
• Rheinmetall
• RTX Corporation
• Saab
• SRC Inc.
• Telephonics Corporation
• Thales

• Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is a dominant supplier of modern AESA radar technology to military aircrafts they are utilizing their radar architecture, sensing, and electronic warfare background to deploy sophisticated radars such as the APG-81 onboard F-35 and the F-22 AESA radar. With their presence in advanced fighter jet programs and consistent investment in sensor functions, Northrop Grumman’s market footprint within the modern AESA market is prominent.

• RTX Corporation

RTX Corporation operates and supports advanced airborne and naval AESA radar solutions for a wide range of surveillance, targeting, fire control, and air and missile defense programs, leveraging a number of mature technologies, including the AN/APG-79, AN/APG-82, and AN/APG-83 SABR radars, and AN/SPY-6 family of radars.

• Thales

Thales offers sophisticated electronically scanned radar systems for aircraft, vessels and land vehicles. These systems come from its catalogue, such as the RBE2 AESA radar on the rafale jet and sea fire or ground fire radar multifunction’s. A combination of cutting-edge antenna technology and signal processing to give an edge to detect, follow, counter-combat and this is the basis of an undeniable performance in European and international defense modernization programmes.

• Saab

Saab has particular expertise in radar and surveillance systems that are relevant for airborne early warning, air-borne battle management, ground-based air defense and for naval and for both sea-based and land-based forces. Saab’s Erieye and Erieye extended range (er) technologies, based on electronically scanned array technology, offer long-range surveillance and surveillance-detection capability against airborne and surface threats.

• HENSOLDT

HENSOLDT specializes in the creation of innovative and effective radar and sensor technologies for the air defense, air surveillance and naval and airborne branches of the military. Their product line consists of actively electronically scanned arrays including such powerful solutions as their TRML-4D multifunction radar and the SPEXER radar family which can effectively track and alert of numerous air born missile and unmanned flying hazards.

Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar Industry News

• In June 2026, HENSOLDT reported an order for further TRML-4D radar systems for Ukraine. The radars employ AESA technology and can provide rapid detection and tracking of approx. 1500 targets out to 250 km range, such as cruise missiles, UAVs, as well as other aircraft including helicopters and other low-slow-flares targets (LSFs).
• In May 2026, Northrop Grumman delivered its 1,000th AN/APG-83 scalable agile beam radar (SABR) AESA system. The milestone underscores the growing use of AESA capability as part of the modernization efforts for fourth-generation combat aircraft, boosting detection, tracking, targeting and survivability performance.
• In April 2026, Saab received an order for SEK 550 million for Giraffe 4A radar systems and related services from a customer in Latin America. Giraffe 4A is an agile and mobile multi-function digital radar that increases the land-based air surveillance capability and is possible to upgrade via software for future customer needs.
• In September 2025, RTX Corporation, announced the new APG-82(V)X AESA radar with technology that used gallium nitride, or GaN. Using this new technology had the radar not only increase range when detecting the target as well as increased processing time, which will deliver air to air, air to surface and electronic warfare capabilities.

The active electronically scanned array radar market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast in terms of revenue (USD Million) from 2022 – 2035 for the following segments:

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Market, By Platform Type

• Airborne
  • Fixed-wing aircraft
  • Rotary-wing aircraft
  • Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs/UAS)

• Naval
  • Surface combatants (destroyers, frigates, corvettes)
  • Patrol & maritime security vessels
  • Aircraft carriers & amphibious ships
• Ground-Based
  • Fixed ground installations
  • Mobile ground systems
  • Tactical vehicle-mounted systems

Market, By Application

• Surveillance & early warning
• Tracking & target identification
• Fire control & engagement
• Missile defense & counter-UAS

Market, By Frequency Band

• L-Band
• S-Band
• C-Band
• X-Band
• Ku/Ka-Band
• Others

Market, By Fit Type

• Line fit
• Retrofit

Market, By End User

• Military & defense
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Army
• Homeland security & border control
  • Coast guard & maritime security agencies
  • Border security & customs agencies

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea

• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina

• Middle East and Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE