Tactical Communication Market Analysis | 2022-2028

Market Insights

The tactical communication market was estimated at USD 9.3 billion in 2021 and is likely to grow at a CAGR of 15.1% during 2022-2028 to reach USD 21.1 billion in 2028.

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Market Dynamics

Introduction

Tactical communication refers to the exchange of information, instructions, and intelligence within a military or emergency response context to achieve specific objectives efficiently. It involves concise and rapid transmission of data between units, often in dynamic and high-stakes situations. This form of communication focuses on providing real-time updates, coordinating movements, and adapting strategies based on changing circumstances. Effective tactical communication ensures seamless collaboration, enhances situational awareness, and supports decision-making, thereby contributing to the success of missions and operations.

Market Drivers

The key factors driving the growth of the tactical communication market are:

• Increasing Defense Expenditures: Rising defense budgets around the world are significantly contributing to the expansion of the tactical communication market. Governments are channeling substantial resources into upgrading military communication systems to improve operational efficiency, enhance situational awareness, and streamline mission coordination. These efforts emphasize the need for secure, trustworthy, and real-time communication solutions across all military branches. As global security threats continue to evolve, armed forces are increasingly seeking cutting-edge technologies, including software-defined radios, satellite communications, and network-centric solutions, which in turn drives up the demand for tactical communication equipment and systems.
• Integration of Advanced Technologies: The rapid advancements in technology are significantly boosting the tactical communication market. Cutting-edge tools like artificial intelligence, machine learning, 5G connectivity, and software-defined networking are revolutionizing military communication systems, making them faster, more secure, and incredibly adaptable. These tools facilitate smooth data sharing, enable real-time decision-making, and improve situational awareness on the battlefield. With defense forces increasingly in search of more effective and resilient communication networks, the global demand for advanced tactical communication solutions is on the rise, fueling market expansion.
• Growth in Unmanned Systems: The rapid rise of unmanned systems—like UAVs, UGVs, and USVs—is having a major impact on the tactical communication market. These platforms depend on strong, secure, and real-time communication links to ensure they can effectively command, control, and coordinate in a variety of operational settings. Innovations in technologies such as mesh networking, software-defined radios, and AI-driven communication systems are boosting the capabilities of these unmanned systems, allowing them to function more autonomously and efficiently. As military and defense sectors increasingly turn to unmanned platforms for tasks like surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat missions, the need for advanced tactical communication solutions continues to grow. This demand is further fueled by the necessity for different unmanned systems to work together and be integrated into current military communication frameworks. As a result, the tactical communication market is seeing significant growth, with considerable investments being funneled into creating and deploying communication technologies specifically designed for unmanned systems.

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Several investments/guidelines in the industry have been directed in recent years, which would boost the overall market. Some of them are:

The tactical communication industry is fragmented, with several businesses offering communication solutions on different platforms. It is projected that spending on developing faster, more dependable, and more secure tactical communication systems would aid businesses in growing their market presence. Over time, several regional firms have entered the market due to various nations' emphasis on domestic production. For instance, the "Make in India" programme in India has helped private players in the military industry and enabled businesses like Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Saankhya Labs to design and produce cutting-edge communication systems for the nation's armed forces. Predictably, these changes would assist the businesses in improving their cash flow in the coming years.

Segments Analysis

By Platform Type

The tactical communication market has been divided into airborne, shipborne, land-based, and submerged systems based on the platform. The tactical communication market's underwater tactical communication systems segment is anticipated to see the greatest CAGR growth during the forecasting period.

By Technology Type

Tactical communication systems based on next-generation networks (NGNs) and time-division multiplexing (TDM) have been divided into market segments based on technology. During the projection period, the NGN tactical communication systems sector is anticipated to see the greatest CAGR.

By Type

The tactical communication market has been divided into many types based on type, including soldier radio, manpack radio, high-capacity data radio (HCDR), and vehicle intercommunication radio (VIC). According to market size, the vehicle intercommunication radios (VIC) category now holds a monopoly and is predicted to keep it for the next five years. The manpack radios category, however, is anticipated to see the fastest CAGR growth throughout the projection period.

Regional Insights

In terms of regions, North America will likely maintain its supremacy in the tactical communication market throughout the forecast period. The world's largest military spender is the United States. According to SIPRI, the nation's military spending increased by 4.4 percent in 2020 to reach USD 778 billion, making up 39% of all military spending worldwide. Over the next two years, the nation intends to expand its financial support for electronics, sensors, and communications by around 20%. During the forecast period, there is anticipated to be a significant increase in demand for Leader and Manpack radios as a result of the nation's Handheld, Manpack, and Small Form Fit (HMS) program, which aims to purchase a family of software-reprogrammable radios for tactical voice and data communications.

The Communications (PTS) program is designed to offer jam-resistant, low-probability-of-interception satellite communications for tactical troops operating in highly contested areas. Contrarily, the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) program's successor, the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (ESS) program, is designed to serve strategic tasks including nuclear command and control. Similar to the United States, Canada intends to make large investments in purchasing portable communication equipment in the upcoming years. During the forecast period, these modernization programs to improve the capabilities of the local armed forces are anticipated to fuel market expansion in North America.

Concurrently, Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth in the tactical communication market during the forecast period. The APAC area has seen an increase in defense spending, with a particular focus on enhancing communications capabilities by acquiring cutting-edge tactical communication equipment. Manufacturers of tactical communication systems now have large market potential.

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Key Players

The following are the major players in the tactical communication market:

• BAE Systems PLC.
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• General Dynamics Corporation
• L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.
• Ultra Electronics
• Raytheon Company
• Harris Corporation
• Iridium Communications
• Viasat, Inc.
• Curtiss-Wright (Tactical Communications Group LLC)
• Thales Group

The overall competitive landscape has been affected due to these mergers and acquisitions.

Note: The above list does not necessarily include all the top players in the market.

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Research Methodology

This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s tactical communication market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period of 2022 to 2028. After a continuous interest in our tactical communication market report from the industry stakeholders, we have tried to further accentuate our research scope to the tactical communication market to provide the most crystal-clear picture of the market. The report segments and analyses the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants as well as investors in the identification of the low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as to formulate the growth strategies to expedite their growth process.

This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools. More than 1000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data. We conducted more than 15 detailed primary interviews with the market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

• Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.
• Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.
• Market trend and forecast analysis.
• Market segment trend and forecast.
• Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Service portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
• COVID-19 impact and its recovery curve
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
• Emerging trends.
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
• Key success factors

Market Segmentation

This report studies the market, covering a period of 12 years of trends and forecasts. The report provides detailed insights into the market dynamics to enable informed business decision-making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market.

The tactical communication market is segmented into the following categories:

By Platform Type

• Airborne
• Shipborne
• Land
• Underwater

By Type

• Soldier Radio
• Manpack
• VIC
• HCDR

By Technology Type

• TDM
• NGN

By Application Type

• ISR
• Communications
• Combat
• Command & Control

By Region

• North America (Country Analysis: the USA, Canada, and Mexico)
• Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, the UK, Russia, Spain, and Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: China, Japan, India, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• Rest of the World (Sub-Region Analysis: Latin America, the Middle East, and Others)

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Report Customization Options

With this detailed report, Stratview Research offers one of the following free customization options to our respectable clients:

Company Profiling

• Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to three players)
• SWOT analysis of key players (up to three players)

Competitive Benchmarking

• Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Product portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances

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Recent Mergers & Acquisitions

There is stiff competition in the tactical communication market. The growth of the companies is directly dependent on the industry conditions and government support. These companies differentiate their tactical communication based on their quality and penetration in the target and emerging markets. Also, some major mergers and acquisitions in the industry recently have significantly influenced the competitive dynamics. For example:

• In 2021, In a deal for over 138 million USD, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) agreed to buy Software Defined Radio Tactical (SDR-Tac).
• In a statement, Codan Limited said that it has agreed to buy all outstanding shares of DTC from a private equity firm. DTC is a U.S.-based corporation. Subject to the usual regulatory requirements for transactions of this kind, the acquisition was completed by April 30, 2021.
• In 2020, Two of Europe's top high-tech military firms, Indra and Thales, joined forces to create and provide the Spanish Armed Forces with a next-generation tactical communications system.
• In September 2020, The US Army Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T) awarded PacStar a tactical network communications contract for the delivery of its PacStar 400-Series platform for SCOUT (Scalable Class of Unified Terminals) in support of the US Army Integrated Tactical Network (ITN) program.