Growing Geopolitical Conflicts and AI-Enabled Systems Fuel 12.4% CAGR in Electronic Warfare Market

According to the latest market research study published by P&S Intelligence, the global electronic warfare market is experiencing strong momentum, driven by rising defense modernization efforts and escalating geopolitical tensions worldwide. Valued at USD 12.5 billion in 2024, the market is projected to reach USD 25.3 billion by 2030, expanding at a robust CAGR of 12.4% during 2024–2030. Governments across regions are significantly increasing defense spending to strengthen surveillance, threat detection, and countermeasure capabilities, positioning electronic warfare as a critical component of modern military strategies.

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Electronic warfare technologies leverage the electromagnetic spectrum—including radiofrequency and infrared bands—to disrupt enemy communications, degrade radar performance, and enable stealth operations. The growing emphasis on spectrum dominance has intensified investments in advanced systems that can deny, deceive, and disrupt adversarial signals. The integration of artificial intelligence into modern electronic warfare platforms is further enhancing real-time threat detection and response, reducing reliance on manual intervention and improving operational efficiency.

Rising geopolitical conflicts, ongoing regional wars, and strained cross-border relations are reinforcing the need for advanced electronic warfare capabilities. While regulatory restrictions and budget disclosure norms limit excessive defense investments in certain regions, sustained focus on national security, intelligence superiority, and battlefield dominance continues to propel long-term market growth.

Key Insights

• The market is segmented by application into naval, airborne, ground, and unmanned systems, with airborne platforms accounting for the largest share of 40% in 2024.
• Airborne electronic warfare is also the fastest-growing application, advancing at a CAGR of 12.8% through 2030 due to its role in suppressing enemy air defenses.
• Integration of electronic decoys in combat aircraft and missiles is gaining traction to mislead radar-based defense systems.
• Naval and ground-based electronic warfare systems remain essential for maritime surveillance and land combat signal dominance.
• Unmanned platforms are increasingly adopting electronic warfare payloads to reduce human risk during reconnaissance and combat missions.
• By category, electronic support dominates the market with a 45% share in 2024.
• Electronic support is also the fastest-growing category, registering a CAGR of 12.7% over the forecast period.
• Electronic support systems play a critical role in generating ELINT, SIGINT, and COMINT for strategic and tactical decision-making.
• Other key categories include electronic protection, electronic attack systems, and electronic warfare support platforms.
• Signal jammers lead the product segment with a 20% market share in 2024.
• Signal jammers are the fastest-growing product category, expanding at a CAGR of 13.2% through 2030.
• These systems enable forces to disrupt or block enemy radar and communication networks without triggering counter-defense mechanisms.
• Demand remains strong for advanced products such as DIRCM, ATIRCM, DEWS, RWR/LWR systems, and multi-INT sensors with ML-based processing.
• Directed energy weapons and electromagnetic shielding systems are gaining attention for next-generation battlefield survivability.
• North America dominates the global market with nearly 50% share in 2024, supported by strong U.S. defense spending.
• The U.S. defense budget reached USD 877 billion in 2022, underpinning large-scale investments in electronic warfare R&D and deployment.
• Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing regional market, registering a CAGR of 12.7% during 2024–2030.
• China leads the Asia-Pacific market, while India is the fastest-growing country due to heightened border tensions and modernization programs.
• Europe shows steady demand, led by the U.K., supported by procurement of advanced combat and reconnaissance platforms.
• The Middle East and Africa market is driven by Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E., focusing on advanced air defense and surveillance systems.
• The market structure remains consolidated due to strict regulatory oversight and licensing requirements.
• Governments frequently sign MoUs with electronic warfare manufacturers to secure long-term technology access.
• Collaboration between state-owned and private defense firms sustains moderate competitive intensity.