PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1713381
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1713381
A military satellite is an artificial earth satellite used for military missions such as intelligence gathering, navigation, and military communications. The capabilities of military satellites include secure in-theater communications, weather and navigational data for ground, air, and fleet operations, as well as threat warning.
The main types of military satellites are small satellites and medium-to-heavy satellites. The various types of payloads include communication payload, navigation payload, imaging payload, and others that are used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), communication, and navigation. A satellite payload refers to the components of a spacecraft that are specifically dedicated to producing mission data and relaying that data back to Earth.
The military satellites market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides military satellites market statistics, including global market size, regional shares, competitors with a military satellites market share, detailed military satellites market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the military satellites industry. This military satellite market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the industry.
The military satellites market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $59.82 billion in 2024 to $62.74 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to global surveillance, communication and data transfer, navigation and gps, intelligence gathering, strategic deterrence.
The military satellites market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $75.04 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to anti-satellite threats, resilience and redundancy, laser communication technology, quantum satellite communication, miniaturization and smaller satellites. Major trends in the forecast period include dual-use satellites, rapid deployment and launch, space traffic management, space-based threat warning systems, international collaboration.
The growing concern about terrorism is expected to drive the growth of the military satellite market, as it has prompted military forces worldwide to adopt advanced communication systems. Military satellites play a critical role in modern military communication networks. For instance, in 2023, according to the Vision of Humanity, an Australia-based non-governmental organization, the US accounted for 76% of terrorism-related deaths among Western democracies, despite experiencing a 15-year low in incident rates. Additionally, in 2022, the Islamic State (IS) and its affiliates remained the deadliest terrorist group globally for the eighth consecutive year, conducting attacks in 21 countries. As a result, the increasing concern over terrorism is fueling the demand for military satellites to enhance global security and communication capabilities.
Increased defense expenditure is expected to drive the growth of the military satellite market. Defense expenditure covers all capital and ongoing spending on the armed forces, paramilitary forces, and peacekeeping forces, managed by defense ministries and other government agencies involved in defense programs. Spending on military satellites is directed toward developing, building, launching, and operating satellites that support a variety of military missions, providing secure and reliable communication services for military forces. For instance, in April 2022, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a Sweden-based research institute focused on arms control, reported that Russian military spending increased by an estimated 9.2% in 2022, reaching approximately $86.4 billion, or 4.1% of the country's GDP, up from 3.7% in 2021. As defense expenditure continues to rise, it will further fuel the growth of the military satellite market.
The evolution of technology stands as a defining force in shaping the landscape of the military satellite market. Key enterprises within this sector are diligently engaged in crafting cutting-edge technological solutions tailored specifically for military satellite applications. Notably, SmartSat CRC, an Australian-based space research center, introduced the Compact Hybrid Optical-RF User Segment (CHORUS) prototype terminal for military satellite communications in May 2023. This innovation seamlessly merges radio frequency (RF) communications with optical communication technology, significantly elevating data transmission rates while concurrently reducing the likelihood of interception compared to conventional civilian and military RF satellite communications. CHORUS is engineered to be more portable and compact, facilitating easier deployment in remote and challenging terrains.
Prominent companies operating within the military satellite market are actively focusing on pioneering product development, such as the creation of anti-jam payloads, aimed at furnishing customers with reliable services. An anti-jam payload serves as a safeguard mechanism shielding satellite communications from jamming disruptions. Boeing Co, a US-based corporation renowned for its provision of commercial airplanes, defense, space, and security systems, unveiled the Protected Tactical SATCOM Prototype (PTS-P) payload in April 2023. This pioneering design incorporates automated anti-jamming features, including jammer geolocation, real-time adaptive nulling, frequency hopping, and other sophisticated techniques. Leveraging the potency of the U.S. military's Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW), this innovation ensures seamless connectivity for the warfighter, even within contested environments.
In November 2023, Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., an Israel-based telecom company, acquired DataPath Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to strengthen Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.'s position in the rapidly evolving satellite communication market. The collaboration is expected to enhance the capabilities of both companies in the global defense sector, creating new opportunities for advanced technologies and resources. DataPath Inc., a UK-based company, specializes in providing innovative communication solutions for military satellites and defense operations.
Major companies operating in the military satellites market include The Boeing Company, Israel Aerospace Industries, Northrop Grumman Corporation, ISS-Reshetnev, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon Company, Thales Group, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, GE Aviation, Airbus SE, Indian Space Research Organisation, OHB SE, Elbit System Ltd., AeroVironment Inc., Orbital ATK Inc., Cobham Limited, Viasat Inc., Safran Electronics & Defense, Selex ES Inc., Harris Corporation, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Terma A/S, BAE Systems plc, QinetiQ Group PLC, Reutech Radar Systems, Easat Radar Systems Limited, Indra Company, Bharat Electronics Limited, ZTE Corporation, United Technologies Corporation, Saab AB, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, NEC Corporation, Orbital Sciences Corporation
North America was the largest region in the military satellites market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the military satellites market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the military satellites market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the military satellites market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada
The military satellite market consists of sales of various satellites for military applications such as military reconnaissance satellites, navigation satellites, early warning systems, and military communication satellites. Values in this market are factory gate values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Military Satellites Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on military satellites market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for military satellites ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The military satellites market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.