Electronic Warfare Market

Market Overview

The global electronic warfare market size was valued at USD 16,730 million in 2021 and is estimated to reach an expected value of USD 27,790 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period (2022 - 2030). The global growth of the electronic warfare market is propelled by the increasing adoption and development of advanced defense mechanisms. The surge in demand for missile detection systems further contributes to the market's expansion during the forecast period.

The execution of military operations in a world dependent on information is hampered by the development of superior electromagnetic spectrum technologies. With a surge in electronic threats, there is a more critical requirement for electronic warfare to support unrestricted access to electromagnetic environment defense operations.

The use of electronic warfare in both offensive and defensive counter-information operations makes it a crucial component of information. Electronic warfare (E.W.) theory and policy have been created and accepted worldwide. Electronic masking, counter-countermeasures,c security, and anti-jamming tools are all part of electronic warfare operations. Infrared and radio frequency countermeasures are also included. The worldwide electronic warfare industry is expected to grow during the forecast period due to the rise in innovations and the creation of new warfare.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

The increased political, economic, or social upheaval among countries or regions has led to growing domestic and intercontinental tensions worldwide. The governments have increased defense expenditure to defend against the growing territorial and intercountry instability. For instance, the ever-increasing threat from Precision Guided Missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles [UAVs] produced by Iran has enforced the establishment of an inter-agency working group for the U.S. and Israel to combat the threats by use of advanced electronic warfare techniques.

Emerging economies and developed nations have increased the adoption of advanced defensive systems such as electronic warfare to counter rising regional instability. For instance, the rising number of border conflicts between China and India prompted both nations to build and acquire cutting-edge defensive capabilities. China created an anti-stealth radar in November 2020 that can identify modern stealth fighter jets and direct defense missiles in their direction. The anti-stealth radar will aid China in countermeasures against the fifth-generation aircraft, which pose challenges for conventional air defense systems. The rise in the adoption and development of advanced defense mechanisms worldwide is the driver for the growth of the market.

The Rise in Demand for Missile Defense Detection systems

Developing advanced strategic ballistic missiles with high survivability and superior operational performance to provide safety for its residents has motivated emerging powers to develop advanced missile detection systems. Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) and Air Defense Control & Reporting System (ADC&RS) are being developed by defense agencies to monitor and defend against incoming missiles.

For instance, in March 2021, LIG Nex1, a South Korean Defense company, developed electronic self-protection warfare (E.W.) system for the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF). This electronic warfare system is a self-protection jammer to be installed on future KF-X multirole fighter aircraft, which will be responsible for detecting, analyzing, and jamming signals from incoming missiles and enemy radars. Demand for missile detection systems is anticipated to promote the growth of the electronic warfare industry during the forecast period.

Market Restraints

High Deployment Cost

The rising involvement in strategic and tactical roles played by electronic warfare in modern warfare, such as electronic support, electronic protection, and electronic attack, propels the demand for affordable and effective electronic warfare systems. Electronic warfare systems require performance in electromagnetically congested and high-magnitude signal situations. The system's complexity and performance requirements further increase the cost of electronic warfare's deployment. For instance, the U.S. first estimated that upgrading the electronic warfare equipment on Japan's F-15J aircraft would cost $745 million but later boosted that estimate to $2.2 billion. The F-15 upgrade program is no longer in operation because of the sharp increase in upgrade costs.

Developing electronic warfare systems requires significant investment, making it difficult for emerging nations to adopt them. For example, in 2020, the U.S. Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a $1.16 billion contract for developing and delivering an electronic warfare system with improved electronic assault (E.A.) capability. The high deployment cost of electronic warfare acts as a restraint on the growth of the market for electronic warfare .

Market Opportunities

Implementation of Electronic Protection Systems in Civil Aviation

Civil aviation is a large market with the potential for high capital spending for developing advanced technologies to enhance aircraft operations. The surge in air traffic across developing regions such as Asia has increased the commercial air travel industry.

The rise in the civilian aviation industry has increased threats from terrorist organizations and cybercriminals. Modern warfare systems such as electronic warfare systems present an excellent opportunity for civil aircraft manufacturers and operators to overcome the potential threat of attacks. Electronic warfare systems can improve an aircraft's self-protection capabilities by adding countermeasure systems such as flares and decoys and increasing aircraft situational awareness.

For instance, Self Protection System - SPS-TA offered by Thales Group acts as a switch-on and forget system and performs self-protection against missiles with a meager false alarm rate. The SPS-TA electronic warfare system provides situational awareness in the modern warfare environment and protects aircraft against active and passive threats. Enhanced self-protection capability aids pilots in the smooth operation of aircraft, even in hostile environments. Implementing modern warfare technology in the civilian aviation industry provides growth opportunities for the market.

Regional Analysis

Region-wise, the global market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America was the highest revenue contributor and is estimated to grow a CAGR of 6%. North America is projected to witness an increase in the adoption of electronic warfare by defense agencies, owing to numerous military modernization and enhancement programs underway in North America. An increase in investments by North American countries propels the development of advanced electronic warfare equipment across the region. The presence of premier defense equipment manufacturers in the region increases the contribution of North American countries to the global market. An increase in new electronic warfare product development activities by industry giants in the region further boosts the growth of the market. For instance, Raytheon Intelligence and Space developed a new dual-band decoy electronic warfare system in April 2021 that can operate in a broader range of bands in the electromagnetic spectrum.

European electronic warfare industry share is estimated to reach an expected value of USD 7625 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 5.3%. The rise in the adoption of modern and advanced technologies by first responders to support critical mission operations is expected to accelerate the growth of the electronic warfare market during the forecast period in the region. European nations are increasingly adopting modern warfare systems for increased protection and defense capabilities. For instance, in October 2020, Finland's procurement deal for Boeing FA-18E/F Super Hornet and Lockheed F-35A Lightning II multirole jet fighters with advanced electronic warfare capabilities was authorized by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Moreover, the presence of powerful countries such as Russia and the U.K. propels the expansion of the electronic warfare market in the region. Developments such as procurement and adoption of modern warfare systems such as advanced fighter jets across the region are driving factors for the industry growth.

The Asia Pacific is the third largest region. The rise in defense expenditure across the Asia-Pacific region to tackle growing terrorism, increase in cyber-attacks, and regional disputes in countries such as India, Afghanistan, and China promote growth in the adoption of new defense equipment such as electronic warfare systems, automated drones, surveillance system, and quick response smart weapons across Asia-PacificAsia-Pacific. The rise in defense expenditure across the Asia-Pacific region further boosts the procurement of advanced weapon and protection systems. For instance, in 2020, defense expenditure of major Asia-Pacific countries such as South Korea, India, China, and Japan grew by 4.9%, 2.1%, 1.9%, and 1.2%, respectively. Moreover, the rise in adoption of new defense equipment and increase in defense propels the growth of market.

Segmental Analysis

The global market for electronic warfare is segmented based on capability, equipment, product, platform, and region.

By capability, the global market is divided into electronic protection, support, and attack. The electronic support segment was the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period. The development of modern technologies such as digital active electronically scanned arrays (AESAs) and GaN power amplifiers augments the protection of a system against enemy attacks. Governments worldwide are implementing electronic protection systems in their defense forces to protect their defense systems against enemy attacks. For instance, in April 2021, Lockheed Martin Corporation offered a $138 million contract for upgrading the 144 F-16 A/B Block 20 Fighting Falcon fighter fleet of Taiwan to the configuration of the F-16V jet. The contract comprises an upgrade of the AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missile (HARM), advanced identification friend or foe avionics, and other systems. The rise in dependency on the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) for multiple aspects, such as GNSS navigation and wireless communication, encourages the need for electronic protection systems. The above factors, such as increased demand for protection against electronic attacks, boost the segment's growth during the forecast period.

Depending on the equipment, the global electronic warfare market is fragmented into jammer, countermeasure systems, decoys, directed energy weapons, and others. The countermeasure system segment was the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period. The defense industry and governments are creating and researching countermeasure systems to suppress enemy attacks. The advanced automatic countermeasure system provides defense forces with better defense capabilities. For instance, in April 2021, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the development of electronic warfare (E.W.) network. TK-25E shipborne electronic countermeasure system developed by the Russian Ministry of Defense suppresses airborne and shipborne target acquisition radars, anti-ship missile radar seekers, and weapon control radars. The rise in demand for defense systems with quick response capabilities is a driver for the growth of the countermeasure system segment.

Based on product, the global market is classified into E.W. equipment and operational support. The E.W. equipment segment was the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period. The rise in the acquisition of new defense systems across the globe increases demand for novel warfare equipment, such as electronic warfare equipment. Emerging economies have started modernization of their warfare systems to avoid or tackle any threat against a nation. For instance, in 2021, the F-15EX Eagle II aircraft of the U.S. Air Force was upgraded to the fourth generation. The upgrade consisted of advanced electronic warfare equipment, ultra-high-speed computer processing, electronically scanned array radar, and other additional adaptations to support future combat operations. Moreover, a rise in the installation of advanced warfare equipment by defense forces is anticipated to propel the market growth during the forecast period.

Based on platform, the global market is divided into land, naval, airborne, and space. The airborne segment was the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period. Growth in the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and technologically advanced airborne platforms such as drones promote the expansion of the airborne electronic warfare market. Organizations operating in the aviation industry have increased the adoption of electronic warfare systems to protect their assets in a normal or hostile environment. For instance, Boeing EA-18G Growler is a newly-designed electronic warfare aircraft operated under the U.S. Navy that offers a wide range of defense capabilities against enemy defense suppression missions. In addition, the rise in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and the adoption of advanced warfare solutions by defense agencies boost the segment's growth.

Recent Developments

• September 2022 - Boeing has given BAE Systems a contract to make more Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability Systems (EPAWSS) for American aircraft. The F-15E and F-15EX Eagle aircraft offer modern situational awareness and self-defense capabilities. The overall contract value for the production of EPAWSS now stands at $351 million.
• August 2022 - HMS Anson - the most advanced submarine ever built by BAE Systems - commissioned into the Royal Navy.