PUBLISHER: MarketsandMarkets | PRODUCT CODE: 2129344
PUBLISHER: MarketsandMarkets | PRODUCT CODE: 2129344
The use of radar for all-weather sensing, autonomous flight, persistent surveillance, and counter-UAS protection by defense forces, border agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and UAV manufacturers is driving growth in the UAV radar market.
| Scope of the Report | |
|---|---|
| Years Considered for the Study | 2021-2032 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026-2032 |
| Units Considered | Value (USD Billion) |
| Segments | By Scanning, Frequency, End User and Region |
| Regions covered | North America, Europe, APAC, RoW |
Demand is rising due to a number of factors, including increased acquisition of unmanned systems, the need to detect low-observable and low-flying drones, the growing use of SAR/GMTI payloads, and the trend toward small electronically scanned radars that can be installed on smaller airframes.

Based on the current procurement and integration pipeline, the UAV radar market is projected to reach USD 360.7 million in 2026 and USD 990.2 million by 2031, representing an estimated CAGR of 22.4% over the forecast period. While onboard radar demand is growing across ISR, maritime surveillance, detect-and-avoid, navigation, and mission-safety applications, offboard UAV-detection radar now constitutes the larger revenue stream. This growth is driven by wider radar installations on tactical and MALE platforms, increased military UAV deliveries, expedited counter-UAS acquisition, and expanding use of software-defined, AESA, MIMO, and low-SWaP radar architectures.
"By Scanning Type, Electronically Scanned Array Radar Segment to Hold the Largest Market Share During the Forecast Period"
As manufacturers and system integrators increasingly adopt compact, fast-steering architectures for both mission sensing and drone detection, electronic scanned array radar is expected to capture the largest share of the UAV radar market. By avoiding reliance on mechanical antenna movement, AESA and other electronically steered systems enable rapid beam management, multi-target tracking, fast update rates, and adaptable software-defined modes. Throughout the projection period, this segment is expected to be strengthened by their growing use in detect-and-avoid sensors, multi-function surveillance radars, SAR/GMTI payloads, and counter-UAS systems.
"Defense Segment to Record Significant Growth During the Forecast Period by End User"
Military organizations are expanding counter-drone coverage and incorporating radar payloads into ISR, maritime, tactical, and combat-oriented UAVs. The majority of the additional demand is anticipated to come from defense clients. To support both new-build installations and upgrade programs, procurement is also moving toward networked sensors that can provide persistent tracking, target classification, and cueing across layered air-defense architectures.
"North America to Register Substantial Share During the Forecast Period"
North America is expected to remain a major UAV radar market, supported by a mature radar industrial base, large defense budgets, active counter-UAS programs, and extensive radar integration on unmanned aircraft. The region also benefits from strong development activity in compact AESA, metamaterials, detect-and-avoid, and software-defined radar, along with recurring upgrades to existing unmanned and air-defense fleets.
RTX (US), Leonardo S.p.A (Italy), Saab AB (Sweden), HENSOLDT AG (Germany), and Israel Aerospace Industries (Israel) are among the key companies considered in the UAV radar market assessment.
This market study evaluates the UAV radar market across its principal segments and subsegments and assesses the potential of each market across major regions and countries. The study includes an in-depth assessment of key participants, product portfolios, company positioning, integration programs, contract activity, technological developments, procurement trends, and the strategies adopted to strengthen market presence.
The report is intended to help market leaders, suppliers, integrators, and new entrants develop a grounded view of the UAV Radar revenue opportunity and its competitive environment. It supports portfolio planning, market-entry decisions, partner identification, and go-to-market prioritization by combining demand drivers, restraints, country-level procurement signals, technology shifts, and competitive activity into a single market view.