Market Insights
“Military Navigation Market value was US$ 12.83 billion in 2024 and is likely to grow at a robust CAGR of 7.0% in the long run to reach US$ 22.04 billion in 2032”.
Market Dynamics
Introduction
The military navigation market is a vital part of modern defense systems, enabling real-time positioning, targeting, and situational awareness across a wide range of military platforms, including aircraft, ships, unmanned systems, missiles, and rockets. It encompasses advanced solutions such as GPS receivers, inertial navigation systems, anti-jamming devices, and integrated intelligence and surveillance platforms. The market is projected to grow steadily, driven by increasing government defense budgets, rising demand for missiles and artillery systems due to geopolitical instabilities, and the development of next-generation air and missile defense systems. Segmented by platform, application, component, grade, and region, the market presents significant opportunities for advancements in precision guidance, threat detection, and force coordination. The need for reliable navigation technologies amid evolving warfare scenarios and operational challenges is anticipated to drive the global expansion of military navigation systems.
Drivers
- The rising demand for missiles and artillery systems due to geopolitical instabilities and the changing nature of warfare is driving the adoption of military navigation technologies. These systems are essential for enhancing precision targeting and improving strike capabilities across evolving conflict scenarios.
- The availability of miniaturized components at affordable prices is boosting the integration of advanced navigation systems across diverse military platforms. Compact and cost-effective solutions are enabling greater deployment flexibility without compromising performance.
- The increasing preference for the use of UAVs in modern warfare is accelerating the need for reliable navigation systems. UAVs rely heavily on accurate and uninterrupted navigation for mission success, especially in GPS-denied or contested environments.
- The growing use of UAVs by defense forces as loitering munitions is further expanding the application of military navigation technologies. These systems support real-time guidance and control, enabling precision engagement and extended operational reach.
Recent Market JVs and Acquisitions:
In the military navigation market, companies are forming strategic contracts and collaborations to strengthen their defense technology portfolios, enhance navigation accuracy, and improve operational resilience in contested environments. These partnerships aim to integrate cutting-edge solutions like anti-jamming GPS systems, inertial navigation systems, and flight management tools to support evolving defense requirements, including unmanned systems and precision munitions.
Recent notable mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and joint ventures (JVs) include:
- July 2017: Cobham plc launched a next-generation Anti-Jam GPS System offering superior jamming immunity, allowing platforms to maintain GPS reception even when operating more than 100 times closer to jammers than conventional systems. This development supports enhanced operational reliability in electronic warfare environments.
- November 2019: Esterline CMC Electronics (Canada) received a contract from the French Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) and Airbus Helicopters (France) to deliver GPS Landing Systems and Flight Management Systems. The systems—CMA-5024 GPS and CMA-9000 FMS—were designated for the Sécurité Civile fleet of EC145 helicopters, enabling precise navigation and coordination.
- July 2015: GE Aviation secured a contract from ViaSat to provide inertial navigation systems for integration into ViaSat’s airborne satellite communication platforms. The systems are intended to support multiple military aircraft programs by ensuring stable and accurate navigation data transmission.
Recent Product Development:
The military navigation market has seen significant innovations aimed at improving situational awareness, navigation accuracy, and operational effectiveness in challenging environments. Defense companies are focusing on enhancing electronic warfare resistance, integrating unmanned systems, and developing advanced navigation solutions to support modern military operations.
- Cobham plc launched a next-generation Anti-Jam GPS System in July 2017, offering superior jamming immunity and enabling platforms to maintain GPS reception even when operating extremely close to jammers, thus enhancing reliability in electronic warfare scenarios.
- Esterline CMC Electronics developed GPS Landing Systems and Flight Management Systems (CMA-5024 GPS and CMA-9000 FMS) for the Sécurité Civile fleet of EC145 helicopters, enabling precise navigation and coordination.
- GE Aviation developed inertial navigation systems integrated into ViaSat’s airborne satellite communication platforms to provide stable and accurate navigation data for multiple military aircraft programs.
- Thales Group developed the Fulmar surveillance drone, a small fixed-wing unmanned aerial system (UAS) with automatic detection and tracking and AIS capabilities, enhancing coastal monitoring for maritime enforcement agencies.
Market Segments' Analysis
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Segmentations
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List of Sub-Segments
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Segments with High Growth Opportunity
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Platform- Type Analysis
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Aviation, Ammunition, Marine, Ground, Space and Unmanned Vehicles
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The ammunition segment is expected to dominate due to rising demand for advanced navigation systems in precision-guided missiles and rockets across key military platforms, supported by expanding defense budgets in various regions.
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Application- Type Analysis
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Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR), Combat & Security, Targeting & Guidance and Search & Rescue (SAR)
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The intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance (ISR) segment is expected to grow significantly, driven by increasing reliance on real-time battlefield data, network-centric warfare, and multi-sensor data fusion technologies enhancing situational awareness and operational decision-making.
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Component- Type Analysis
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Hardware, Software and Service
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The hardware segment is expected to remain the largest and fastest-growing segment, supported by ongoing modernization of defense equipment, increased procurement of navigation and guidance systems, and growing government spending on military technology upgrades globally.
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Grade- Type Analysis
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Navigation Grade, Tactical Grade, Space Grade and Marine Grade
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The tactical grade segment is expected to dominate the market due to its balance of precision, durability, and cost-effectiveness, making it suitable for a wide range of military navigation applications across various platforms.
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Regional Analysis
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North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World
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Europe is expected to maintain a significant market share due to a strong defense manufacturing presence and ongoing missile deliveries.
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By Platform
“The ammunition segment is expected to dominate during the forecast period.”
The military navigation market is segmented into aviation, ammunition, marine, ground, space, and unmanned vehicles. The ammunition segment is expected to dominate due to the rising demand for military navigation systems in precision-guided missiles and rockets used across key platforms such as attack helicopters and fighter jets. This growth is supported by expanding defense budgets in several countries, leading to increased implementation of navigation technologies in missile systems, including examples like Hydra-70 rockets deployed on U.S. Army and Marine Corps aircraft.
By Application
“The intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance (ISR) segment is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.”
The market is segmented into command and control, intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance (ISR), combat & security, targeting & guidance, and search & rescue (SAR). The ISR segment is anticipated to grow strongly, driven by the critical need for real-time battlefield data and advanced situational awareness. Military navigation plays a key role in guiding forces by providing precise locations of personnel and assets. Systems like the U.S. Department of Defense’s Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) integrate multi-source sensor data to give commanders a comprehensive operational picture, enabling faster and more informed decisions.
By Component Type
“The hardware segment is expected to remain the largest and fastest growing during the forecast period.”
The military navigation market is divided into hardware, software, and service segments. The hardware segment is expected to lead growth as global military forces increase procurement of navigation equipment for aircraft, ships, and other platforms. Rising defense budgets and modernization programs fuel investments in advanced navigation and guidance hardware, which are essential for enhancing operational reliability and mission effectiveness.
By Grade Type
“The tactical grade segment is expected to dominate during the forecast period.”
The market includes navigation grade, tactical grade, space grade, and marine grade types. The tactical grade segment is projected to dominate due to its ideal balance of accuracy, durability, and cost-efficiency. Tactical grade navigation systems are widely adopted across various military platforms, offering reliable performance in diverse and challenging operational environments, making them a preferred choice for many defense applications.
Regional Analysis
“Europe region is expected to maintain a significant market share during the forecast period.”
The military navigation market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World. Europe holds a substantial share owing to the presence of major defense manufacturers like Safran, Cobham, Garmin, and Thales. The region also benefits from a high volume of missile deliveries and ongoing defense investments, supporting the sustained demand for military navigation technologies in multiple countries including the UK, France, Germany, and Russia.
Key Players
The military navigation market is highly competitive, with numerous global players actively engaged in advancing navigation and positioning technologies for defense applications. These companies are recognized for their robust portfolios in GPS anti-jamming systems, inertial navigation, and integrated command and control systems. They play a critical role in enabling secure, reliable, and accurate navigation across diverse military platforms, including aircraft, naval vessels, missiles, and unmanned systems. Their strategies often include securing long-term defense contracts, forming strategic collaborations, and investing in cutting-edge R&D to address emerging military needs such as electronic warfare resilience and real-time operational awareness.
Here is the list of the Top Players (Based on Dominance)
- Northrop Grumman (US)
- Raytheon (US)
- Thales (France)
- Honeywell International (US)
- Rockwell Collins (US)
- Safran Electronics & Defense (France)
- GE Aviation (US)
- L3 Technologies (US)
- Israel Aerospace Industries (Israel)
- Cobham (UK)
- Esterline Technologies (US)
- Garmin Ltd. (Switzerland)
- Trimble Navigation (US)
- Intelsat (US)
- Moog (US)
- KVH Industries (US)
- LORD MicroStrain (US)
Note: The above list does not necessarily include all the top players in the market.
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Report Features
This report provides market intelligence most comprehensively. The report structure has been kept so 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.
The global military navigation market is segmented into the following categories.
Military Navigation Market, by Platform
- Aviation (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Ammunition (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Marine (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Ground (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Space (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Unmanned Vehicle (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
Military Navigation Market, by Application
- Command & Control (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Combat & Security (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Targeting & Guidance (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Search & Rescue (SAR) (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
Military Navigation Market, by Component
- Hardware (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Software (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Service (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
Military Navigation Market, by Grade
- Navigation Grade (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Tactical Grade (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Space Grade (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Marine Grade (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
Military Navigation Market, by Region
- North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
- Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, The UK, Russia, and the Rest of Europe)
- Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan, China, India, and the Rest of Asia-Pacific)
- Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Others)
Research Methodology
- This strategic assessment report from Stratview Research provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s military navigation market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period.
- The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner in order to provide a panoramic view of the market.
- The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants and investors in identifying the low-hanging fruit available in the market and formulating 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 1,000 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 market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.
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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: Service portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances
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