South Korea Tactical Communication Market Overview, 2030

In an era where accuracy, speed, and digital security dictate military strategy, South Korea's tactical communication industry emerges as a pivotal entity in the global defense arena. The tactical communication market is designed to provide rapid, secure, and coordinated communication among military troops, facilitating national security and allied operations. It started its evolution during the late Cold War period, since conventional analog radios were inadequate for the increasing necessity of encrypted, interference-free communication in intricate environments. To address this, developments like as Software-Defined Radios (SDRs), battlefield routers, and tactical data lines were implemented. These systems are now employed by military forces, special operations units, coast guards, and peacekeeping contingents, particularly in hilly terrains, maritime regions, and border zones. Tactical communication refers to the safe and uninterrupted transfer of speech, video, and data among combat troops in real-time, utilizing encrypted and durable communication devices. In reality, it addresses challenges like as signal degradation, command latency, and data security breaches, while empowering troops to collaborate instantaneously during high-stress missions. It is exceptionally effective, providing advantages such as operational agility, threat response, interoperability, and mobility. South Korean defense firms such as LIG Nex1, Hanwha, and Huneed Technologies significantly engage in research and development for AI-driven situational awareness, mesh networks, and intelligent soldier systems that facilitate adaptation for field units. Notwithstanding the advancements, obstacles persist. Primarily, over dependence on US defense technology engenders strategic susceptibility. The integration of new technologies with current NATO-linked networks is technically intricate. Third, escalating cybersecurity risks necessitate continual enhancements and employee training. Fourth, constrained exports and regional tensions hinder collaboration and scalability. These obstacles mold South Korea's tactical communication sector into a sophisticated entity that continues to navigate geopolitical and technical limitations, necessitating accuracy in development, deployment, and worldwide coordination.

According to the research report South Korea Tactical Communications Market Overview, 2030, published by Bonafide Research, the South Korea Tactical Communications market was valued at more than USD 484.37 Million in 2025. The market is driven by North Korean border threats, expanding cyber warfare capabilities, and increasing demand for integrated C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) systems across defense units. These drivers push rapid upgrades in battlefield communication and demand for encrypted, real-time information exchange. A major recent development includes South Korea’s deployment of next-generation Tactical Communication Network (TICN) systems, replacing outdated analog systems with IP-based, high-capacity networks designed for frontline units. Leading market players such as LIG Nex1 develop advanced communication equipment including SDRs and secure tactical terminals, while Hanwha s focuses on satellite communication and airborne radio systems. Huneed Technologies offers battlefield network integration tools to support ground and air operations. These companies cater primarily to the South Korean Army, Navy, and Air Force, while also collaborating with government agencies and defense contractors. The suppliers include global tech component firms and regional defense ecosystem partners. Huge opportunities lie in the export of indigenously developed SDRs, AI-based communication gear, and mobile command platforms, especially as allies seek interoperable systems under joint operations. Compliance requirements include military-grade encryption protocols, MIL-STD certifications, and national cybersecurity standards, which solve interoperability and data protection issues and ensure government-approved deployment. South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense and Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) are actively involved in vetting and funding innovation in this sector. Current trends include miniaturized wearable communication devices, drone-to-ground tactical data links, and AI-driven battlefield communication analytics. These are trends because they match the shift toward faster, lightweight, and highly mobile warfare systems that prioritize decentralized command and real-time situational awareness.

Ground platforms dominate the market because to South Korea's robust and technologically sophisticated ground troops. The Republic of Korea Army plays a crucial role in national security, particularly due to the nation's closeness to North Korea. This has led to ongoing investment in resilient, high-speed communication infrastructure for real-time battlefield connectivity, facilitating secure phone, video, and data transmission among people, vehicles, and command centers. Tactical communication systems are vital for enhancing blue-water capabilities and coastal defense in the navy sector. As South Korea augments its naval force, comprising destroyers and submarines, secure ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communications are essential for mission coordination and maritime domain awareness. These systems facilitate cooperative drills and multinational operations in disputed waters. Unmanned technologies, such as UAVs and unmanned ground vehicles, are assuming a growing significance in surveillance and intelligence operations. These systems depend on sophisticated, encrypted communication channels for navigation, mission updates, and real-time ISR data delivery. Airborne platforms constitute the most rapidly expanding category as South Korea persists in modernizing its air force and growing its utilization of sophisticated aircraft and UAVs for reconnaissance and surveillance. Communication systems in this field need low-latency, high-bandwidth capabilities to provide air-to-ground cooperation and real-time data transfer. The increasing focus on network-centric warfare and improved situational awareness is expediting the use of airborne tactical communication systems.

In South Korea's tactical communication sector, primary applications encompass communication, command and control, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and warfare. Communication is the primary application, serving a fundamental function throughout all divisions of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. Due to South Korea's requirement for rapid-response capabilities and stringent coordination along its strongly guarded borders, secure and dependable communication technologies are essential for sustaining operational readiness and joint-force interoperability. These technologies provide real-time data transmission, secure communications, and effortless cooperation in dynamic situations. Command and control (C2) systems represent a significant application domain, engineered to provide an efficient command structure and decision-making across various levels of force. South Korea's C2 systems are progressively connected with sophisticated digital platforms and battlefield management systems, facilitating both defensive and offensive operations. These technologies furnish operational commanders with situational awareness, remote asset control, and efficient execution of mission orders, all of which are vital for sustaining strategic stability in the area. The intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) application is the most rapidly expanding sector in the industry. Given the continuously changing threat picture that South Korea encounters, particularly along its northern border, ISR systems have become essential for early warning and proactive defense plans. These platforms produce substantial amounts of essential data, necessitating robust, secure tactical communication systems to relay intelligence to decision-makers in real time. Combat apps are essential in assisting tactical forces during live operations. Tactical communication systems facilitate real-time coordination among dismounted troops, armored units, and command elements, assuring responsiveness, agility, and mission efficacy even in high-pressure warfare environments.

Soldier radios represent the predominant and most rapidly expanding category, propelled by the nation's focus on modernizing ground troops and improving the digital battlefield. These radios allow individual soldiers to sustain continuous contact with unit leaders, adjacent troops, and command centers, even in volatile or adversarial conditions. Equipped with modern functionalities including frequency hopping, GPS integration, encrypted voice communication, and real-time data transmission, army radios are essential for enhancing tactical efficiency and survival. Manpack radios are extensively utilized for squad-level and long-range communication, providing more power and wider coverage compared to handheld military radios. The varied landscape of South Korea, ranging from bustling urban areas to mountainous frontiers, requires the use of exceptionally dependable mobile communication gadgets. Manpacks are particularly advantageous for forward-deployed forces and reconnaissance teams requiring resilient, secure communications over extended distances without dependence on permanent infrastructure. Vehicular intercommunication radios (VIC) facilitate intra-vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle communication, crucial for South Korea's networked defense vehicles, such as infantry combat vehicles and mobile command posts. These devices enable troops and crew members to maintain communication during rapid or armored maneuvers and are essential for the command and coordination of mechanized operations. High-capacity data radios (HCDR) are essential for sending substantial amounts of tactical data, especially in ISR and command and control applications. These radios provide real-time video, picture, and sensor transmissions, allowing commanders to make prompt and informed judgments.

Single frequency systems continue to play a supporting role, particularly in legacy systems, training exercises, and non-critical operations. These systems offer a simpler and more cost-effective solution for environments where advanced functionality isn’t required. While limited in adaptability and more susceptible to interference, single frequency radios are still used in logistical operations, border patrols, and basic communication roles where secure, high-bandwidth transmission is not essential. On the other hand, multi frequency systems are both the leading and the fastest-growing segment. These systems are designed to operate across multiple frequency bands HF, VHF, UHF, and SATCOM, allowing the Republic of Korea Armed Forces to maintain flexibility, redundancy, and secure communication across a wide variety of operational scenarios and terrain types. Multi frequency systems are increasingly important in joint and multi-domain operations, where seamless interoperability between the Army, Navy, Air Force, and emerging unmanned platforms is critical. These systems enable secure voice, video, and high-speed data transmissions under adverse conditions, such as electronic warfare, jamming, or cyber threats. South Korea’s focus on digitization, network-centric warfare, and interoperability with U.S. and allied forces further accelerates the adoption of multi frequency radios as part of its modern defense communication infrastructure.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Tactical Communication Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Platform
• Ground
• Airborne
• Naval
• Unmanned Systems

By Application
• Command & Control
• Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance
• Communication
• Combat

By Type
• Soldier Radios
• Manpacks
• Vehicular Intercommunication Radio (VIC)
• High Capacity Data Radio (HCDR)

By Frequency
• Single Frequency
• Multi Frequency

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to agriculture industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.