Global Active Phased Array Radar Market 2025 – 2034

Reports Description

Global Active Phased Array Radar Market was valued at USD 7.81 Billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 14.31 Billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 6.42% during the Forecast period 2025- 2034.

Active Phased Array Radar Market Overview

Active phased array radar (APAR) and related systems utilize active electronically scanned arrays (AESA) for enhanced detection, tracking, and targeting capabilities. APAR systems are gaining popularity in defense, aerospace, and marine applications because of their superior range, precision, and ability to adapt to electronic warfare.

The market is mainly driven by increasing military modernization, growing geopolitical tensions, and the emergence of advanced radar technology. Such systems include land-based, naval, and airborne APAR systems, and the need for such radars for multifunctional purposes is expected to increase significantly.

Active Phased Array Radar Market Growth Factors

Rising Defense Expenditures Propel Active Phased Array Radar Market

The active phased array radar market is expected to exhibit growth during the forecast period, owing to the growing defense budgets of the people of the major economies. As military confrontation increases and war is fought in new ways, states are investing heavily in advanced military technologies to bolster their defense capabilities.

For example, in 2024, the US Department of Defense (DoD) budgeted USD 13B for advanced radar programs that included APAR-type AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radars used for F-35 Lightning II and, probably, aircraft.

China is boosting the cross-platform use of its homegrown radar technologies across next-gen aircraft, naval destroyers, and missile defense systems at breakneck speed, with a 2024 defense budget well over USD 225 billion. At the same time, India is developing its own indigenous radar technologies as part of its “Make in India” initiative.

Also, the APAR system is being incorporated in various fighter jets with all new generations of fighter jets, such as Tejas Mk-2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Additionally, with threats evolving around hypersonic missile technology and electronic warfare, nations are looking at ground-based radar fixes as a way of enhancing early warning and providing a force multiplier to defensive efforts. APAR systems have become a non-positional element of contemporary military operations, and as a result, their use is on the rise.

Advancements in Gallium Nitride (GaN) Technology Enhance Radar Efficiency

The adoption of Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology has enabled higher power efficiencies, greater thermal capacity, and added reliability in APAR systems. GaN-based systems, unlike older Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) radars, offer power density and improved detection range at longer ranges and a capability to track targets significantly faster than the available solutions, making it an ideal candidate for both air defense and missile detection applications.

Major defense firms such as Raytheon Technologies, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin have integrated GaN transistors into their latest-generation active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar architectures, including the AN/SPY-6 radar currently fielded on U.S. Navy destroyers.

GaN technology is also crucial for anti-drone and hypersonic missile defense systems, as it provides faster response times and better electronic countermeasures (ECM). This technology is transforming the APAR market, enabling radars to function at higher frequencies while offering better resilience and affordability through increased adoption of GaN-based radars in naval, airborne, and ground-based applications.

With production costs dropping and semiconductor manufacturing technology improving, GaN-based radars are likely soon to become the industry benchmark, promising at the same time to increase market growth.

Active Phased Array Radar Market Restraints

High Development and Procurement Costs Limit Adoption. 

The technical advantages of T/R arrays come with a substantial cost, which has proven to be an effective barrier against the widespread integration of these systems. The high-frequency semiconductor components, advanced software algorithms, and high-power amplifiers contribute to higher manufacturing and procurement costs.

For instance, the F-35 fighter jet’s AN/APG-81 AESA radar costs around $5 million per unit, and the AN/SPY-6 radar for naval destroyers runs over $100 million per system. Meanwhile, the expense associated with high-cost, high-yield systems compares unfavorably with traditional legacy radar systems that continue to pose a sufficiently existential threat, particularly to developing nations and defense budgets, to power that dependency into obsolescence rather than adoption of the latest against similar electronic warfare systems.

In addition, the total cost of ownership includes the cost of maintenance and upgrades requiring highly skilled people and specialized infrastructures. Countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa have delayed their radar modernization programs for budgetary reasons and are instead going for low-cost legacy radar solutions.

Unless manufacturers develop cost-competitive production methods or governments offer subsidized purchase schemes for the same, the high prices for APAR systems will further limit market penetration in price-sensitive regions.

Active Phased Array Radar Market Opportunities

Expansion of APAR in Civilian and Commercial Applications.

The APAR technology, first commercialized in 2005, long had military applications but has become a significant commercial growth opportunity.

Data from meteorology and climate monitoring agencies, as well as the use of Active Phased Array Radar (APAR)-based Distributed Phased Array Radar (DPAR) systems, lead to progress in existing hurricane tracking and storm forecasting technologies, and Tesla and Waymo with their utilization of miniaturized APAR technology in autonomous cars that utilize the principles of DPAR to aid in the development of collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control systems in their vehicles with data up until October 2023.

More recently, the interest driven by applications to space-based radar systems is increasing, such as the NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite that uses APAR technology for Earth observation and environmental monitoring. But these advancements also demonstrate the increasing commercial potential of APAR technology, as well as its value in non-military and nondefense markets.

Active Phased Array Radar Market Trends

Miniaturization and Development of Portable APAR Systems

One of the major factors that impact the APAR market is the miniaturization of radar systems, which allows for small volume and weight APAR solutions to be employed on drones, armored, and man-portable systems. Conventional APAR technology has only been employed by big military aircraft, naval ships, and fixed-station ground installations due to the high power draw and cooling needs.

Thanks to semiconductor fabrication improvements, GaN (gallium nitride) amplifiers and digital beamforming introduced recently came up with a smaller, high-performance radar. For instance, Leonardo’s Osprey 50 AESA radar for UAVs and helicopters delivers multi-mode surveillance in a low-power, lightweight package.

Similarly, Israel’s Elta Systems launched small-sized AESA radars capable of real-time detection of enemy drones, mortars, and other stealth threats for use by infantry units. Miniaturized APARs will also be used on next-generation fighter jets, including the U.S. Air Force’s NGAD program and the Tempest fighter, for sensor fusion and networked warfare capabilities.

But as military and civilian systems require higher performance in increasingly smaller packages, this miniaturization trend will facilitate APAR proliferation to break out across multiple domains.

Active Phased Array Radar Market Segmentation Analysis

Based on Component The global active phased array radar market is segmented by transmitter receiver, antenna, digital signal processor, and others.  The transmitter segment held the maximum share of the market in the year 2024.

The transmitter plays an important role as it is responsible for generating the radar signal that is transmitted to detect objects. Innovations in semiconductor technologies have propelled the design of new, more efficient, and more powerful transmitters that are critical for advancing the performance of an APAR system. With the rising adoption of advanced radar systems, the demand for high-performance transmitters will be higher in this segment.

The receiver segment is equally important, as it intercepts the radar signals bounced off objects and translates them into actionable data. Advancements in receiver technologies enable different APAR systems to be more sensitive and deliver high signal-to-noise ratios. Immutable collections in Python This offers a fast-expanding marketplace that is hungry for accurate information for military and commercial applications.

Report Scope

Active Phased Array Radar Market Regional Analysis

North America is a prominent contributor to the APAR Market, owing to high defense expenditure and advancements in radar systems. The market in this region is, especially, being driven by the massive presence of the United States.

North America is witnessing a surge in demand due to the increasing emphasis on enhancing military capabilities and the rising development of advanced radar systems for a wide array of applications. The area is set to remain ahead, backed by ongoing investments in defense infrastructure and radar technologies.

Europe held second largest market share in the global active phased array market, with the UK, Germany, and France at the forefront. Growing border security and calls for strengthened military capabilities are expected to drive the demand for advanced radar systems in this region.

Next-generation radar technologies that require substantial investment in research and development activities are being adopted in the European market as well. Steady growth is anticipated in the region underpinned by high defense budgets and sustained technological innovation.

Active Phased Array Radar Market Recent Developments

• Northrop Grumman Corporation, which produces advanced radar systems for military and defense purposes. With it holding a significant position in the radar solutions market and a strong presence in the defense sector in the Americas, the APAR market has a significant contribution from Northrop Grumman.

• Recently, Lockheed Martin Corporation has developed advanced radar technologies, including those used in military and defense applications. The combination of its market-based innovations and its sophisticated radar systems development effort positions the company powerfully in the market space. Lockheed Martin has a bright competition in the APAR market due to its wide range of radar solutions and strong global surface defense market share.

• Thales Group, which provides a wide variety of radar systems for different applications in the APAR market. Trusting high-performance, reliable, and versatile solutions, the advanced radar solutions built by the company. To strengthen its position in the market and increase its product offering, Thales Group emphasizes continual innovation and partnership.

List of the prominent players in the Active Phased Array Radar Market:

• Raytheon Technologies Corporation
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Thales Group
• BAE Systems plc
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• Saab AB
• Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
• Hensoldt AG
• Indra Sistemas S.A.
• Rheinmetall AG
• General Dynamics Corporation
• L3Harris Technologies Inc.
• Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
• Elbit Systems Ltd.
• Airbus Defence and Space
• RADA Electronic Industries Ltd.
• Aselsan A.S.
• China Electronics Application Group Corporation (CETC)
• Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)
• Others

The Active Phased Array Radar Market is segmented as follows:

By Component

• Transmitter
• Receiver
• Antenna
• Digital Signal Processor
• Others

By Platform

• Airborne
• Naval
• Land
• Space

By Application

• Defense
• Commercial
• Others

Regional Coverage:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Russia
• Italy
• Spain
• Netherlands
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America