Electronic Warfare Market

Market Definition

The market encompasses the development, production, and integration of advanced technologies that enable the strategic use of electromagnetic spectrum in defense operations.

This includes electronic attack (EA) systems that disrupt or disable enemy electronic assets and electronic protection (EP) measures that safeguard friendly systems from interference. It also includes electronic support (ES) capabilities that detect and analyze electromagnetic signals to enhance situational awareness and operational decision-making.

The report outlines the primary drivers of market growth, along with an in-depth analysis of emerging trends and evolving regulatory frameworks shaping the market in the coming years.

Electronic Warfare Market Overview

The global electronic warfare market size was valued at USD 17.91 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 19.48 billion in 2024 to USD 36.64 billion by 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.44% during the forecast period.

The growing demand for advanced electronic warfare capabilities is being driven by increasing global defense expenditures and heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly in regions with conflicts and security challenges. Rising government investments to modernize military infrastructure are further accelerating market growth.

Major companies operating in the electronic warfare industry are BAE System, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin Corporation, RTX, Elbit Systems Ltd, Saab AB, Thales, General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc, L3Harris Technologies, Inc, Leonardo S.p.A, Boeing, Hensoldt AG, TEKTRONIX, INC., Tata Advanced Systems Limited, and Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.

The expanding use of electronic warfare (EW) systems for attack, protection, and support functions across air, land, naval, and space platforms is fueling the demand for integrated EW solutions.

These include radar jamming devices, signal intelligence systems, and directed energy weapons designed to disrupt enemy communications and protect friendly assets.

• In April 2025, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) received a USD 275 millionRs 2,385 crore contract from the Indian Ministry of Defence to enhance Mi-17 V5 helicopters with Electronic Warfare (EW) systems. The deal aims to enhance the helicopters' survivability in hostile environments and advance India's indigenous EW capabilities.

Key Highlights

1. The electronic warfare industry size was valued at USD 17.91 billion in 2023.
2. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.44% from 2024 to 2031.
3. North America held a market share of 45.34% in 2023, with a valuation of USD 16.85 billion.
4. The naval segment is expected to reach USD 14.39 billion by 2031.
5. The naval ship segment garnered USD 6.21 billion in revenue in 2023.
6. The electronic attack segment is expected to reach USD 15.57 billion by 2031.
7. The directed energy weapon segment is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR of 11.18% during the forecast period
8. The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 10.52% during the forecast period.

Market Driver

"Rising Global Defense Expenditures"

The electronic warfare market is expanding due to rising global defense expenditures aimed at strengthening national security and enhancing operational capabilities. Heightened geopolitical tensions, regional conflicts, and evolving forms of warfare are prompting countries to prioritize investments in electronic protection, and support systems.

These technologies are essential for disrupting enemy communications, safeguarding friendly assets, and improving battlefield awareness. Governments are increasingly allocating funds toward advanced EW technologies to counter emerging threats across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains, in turn, driving market growth.

• In November 2024, L3Harris Technologies, Inc. announced the successful completion of Safety of Flight (SOF) testing for its Viper Shield all-digital electronic warfare suite, designed for F-16 fighter aircraft.

Market Challenge

"Spectrum Congestion"

Spectrum congestion in the electronic warfare market poses a significant challenge, as the increasing demand for the electromagnetic spectrum by military and civilian systems leads to overcrowded frequency bands.

This congestion disrupts the effectiveness of electronic warfare systems, which rely on clear, uncontested frequencies for operations such as jamming and signal interception. As a result, the ability to target specific frequencies or maintain system integrity is compromised, impacting the performance of electronic warfare technologies.

To address this challenge, companies are investing in the development of more sophisticated signal processing techniques and frequency agility solutions. Dynamic spectrum management technologies are being integrated to allow more efficient and flexible use of available frequencies.

Additionally, manufacturers are focusing on creating adaptive electronic warfare systems that can quickly adjust to changing electromagnetic environments, ensuring continued operational effectiveness in congested spectra.

Market Trend

"Development of Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs)"

The development of Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) such as high-power lasers and microwave-based systems is a key trend in the global electronic warfare market. These systems are gaining preference due to their precision and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional kinetic weapons. The need for advanced, non-kinetic solutions to neutralize enemy threats is driving the shift towards DEWs.

Military forces are investing in the development and procurement of these systems for a wide range of applications, including missile defense, radar disruption, and countering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In addition, DEWs offer advantages such as minimal collateral damage, lower operational costs, and reduced reliance on traditional munitions.

Electronic Warfare Market Report Snapshot

Segmentation	Details
By End User	Land force, Air, Naval
By Platform	Aircraft, Weapon, Naval Ship, Vehicle
By Type	Electronic Support, Electronic Protection, Electronic Attack, Others
By Technology	Antennas, Anti-Jam Electronic Protection System, Directed Energy Weapon, IR Missile Warning System, Optical Attack Solutions, Others
By Region	North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico
	Europe: France, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe
	Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific
	Middle East & Africa: Turkey, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa
	South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America

Market Segmentation

• By End User (Land force, Air, Naval): The land force segment earned USD 6.28 billion in 2023 due to increased demand for ground-based electronic warfare systems to counter evolving threats in terrestrial combat environments.
• By Platform (Aircraft, Weapon, Naval Ship, Vehicle): The aircraft segment held 10.05% of the market in 2023, due to the growing integration of advanced electronic warfare systems in military aircraft for enhanced situational awareness, threat detection, and survivability in contested airspaces.
• By Type (Electronic Support, Electronic Protection, Electronic Attack, Others): The electronic attack segment is projected to reach USD 15.57 billion by 2031, owing to the increasing need for offensive capabilities that can disrupt, deceive, or neutralize enemy radar, communications, and command systems in modern warfare scenarios.
• By Technology (Antennas, Anti-Jam Electronic Protection System, Directed Energy Weapon, IR Missile Warning System, Optical Attack Solutions, Others): The directed energy weapon is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 11.18% during the forecast period, driven by rising investments in precision, non-kinetic warfare solutions capable of disabling enemy electronics with minimal collateral damage.

Electronic Warfare Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.

North America electronic warfare market share stood around 45.34% in 2023, with a valuation of USD 8.12 billion. North America’s dominance in the market is attributed to substantial defense spending, ongoing modernization programs, and the presence of key defense contractors and technology firms.

The region benefits from strong government support for the adoption of advanced military technologies including electronic warfare, which is driving the growth of the market.

Strategic collaborations between defense agencies and private sector firms, along with frequent deployment of EW systems across various military platforms, further reinforce the region’s leadership in the market.

The electronic warfare industry in Asia-Pacific is poised for significant growth at a robust CAGR of 10.52% over the forecast period. Asia-Pacific’s rising focus on defense modernization and regional security is driving significant investment in advanced electronic warfare capabilities.

Countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea are rapidly upgrading their military infrastructures, emphasizing the integration of electronic support, protection, and attack systems to address evolving threats.

Local defense agencies are actively pursuing technology transfer and joint development programs to build indigenous capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. Furthermore, the region is witnessing increased procurement of electronic warfare-equipped platforms, including next-generation fighter aircraft, naval vessels, and ground systems.

This strategic push toward self-reliance and high-tech defense readiness is accelerating the adoption of electronic warfare solutions, bolstering Asia-Pacific's position as a key growth market.

Regulatory Frameworks

• In the European Union, the Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP) regulates the management and allocation of radio frequencies to ensure their efficient use. This policy supports the digital economy and facilitates technological advancements, including electronic warfare.
• In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the allocation and licensing of electromagnetic spectrum for various uses. The FCC ensures that frequencies are distributed efficiently among commercial, government, and defense sectors, preventing interference and ensuring safe operation.
• In the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) ensures the protection of personal data by regulating how businesses collect, store, and process data. It mandates that companies obtain explicit consent from individuals, implement secure data storage practices, and allow individuals to access, correct, or delete their data.

Competitive Landscape

The electronic warfare industry is characterized by several key players that are actively pursuing strategies centered on technological innovation, such as the development of multi-domain electronic warfare systems and next-generation jamming and detection technologies.

These advancements improve system interoperability, adaptability, and real-time threat response, reinforcing their competitive edge. By investing in cutting-edge R&D and forging strategic defense partnerships, companies are addressing the growing demand for agile and integrated electronic warfare solutions across land, air, and naval platforms.  

• In July 2023, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) developed an advanced electronic warfare system for the U.S. Air Force. The system will leverage artificial intelligence to autonomously detect, classify, and counter threats in real-time, significantly enhancing aircraft survivability in complex and contested environments.

List of Key Companies in Electronic Warfare Market:

• BAE Systems
• Northrop Grumman
• Lockheed Martin Corporation.
• RTX
• Elbit Systems Ltd
• Saab AB
• Thales
• General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.
• L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• Boeing
• Hensoldt AG
• TEKTRONIX, INC.
• Tata Advanced Systems Limited
• Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.

Recent Developments (M&A/Partnerships/Agreements/New Product Launch)

• In February 2025, V2X Inc. was awarded a USD 21 million contract by the U.S. Air Force to provide maintenance and support services for avionics and electronic warfare systems, including the AN/ALQ-172 and AN/ALQ-161. The contract is intended to maintain the operational readiness of B-52, B-1B, and C-130 aircraft amid evolving threat environments.
• In February 2025, Saab entered into an MoU with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to jointly produce an advanced laser warning system for the Indian Armed Forces.
• In November 2024, BAE Systems developed advanced electronic warfare countermeasures for U.S. Army combat vehicles. These systems aim to protect ground forces from emerging electronic threats by enhancing situational awareness and providing robust defense mechanisms.
• In April 2024, Sigma Defense acquired EWA Inc. to enhance its capability to support the CJADC2 ecosystem enables fast, integrated data collection and sharing to provide near real-time intelligence for the U.S. military. This acquisition will contribute to faster data collection, analysis, and distribution, advancing Sigma Defense’s offerings to the U.S. Department of Defense and National Security agencies.
• In June 2023, Elbit Systems introduced an advanced electronic warfare solution at the Paris Airshow, part of its Unified EW suite. This system includes a Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) that identifies drone threats while continuing its traditional radar warning functions.
• In April 2023, BAE Systems began production of its upgraded Block 4 electronic warfare systems for the F-35 fighter jet. These systems are designed to address advanced threats by enhancing detection, targeting, and countermeasure capabilities.