United Kingdom Tactical Communication Market Overview, 2030

The UK tactical communication market is a highly specialized and mission-driven sector, integral to the operational effectiveness of the British Armed Forces and allied defense networks. The UK’s defense strategy places a strong emphasis on network-enabled capabilities, where real-time data exchange, encrypted voice communications, and high-bandwidth data links are critical for maintaining battlefield superiority. The market is shaped by a combination of indigenous innovation and international collaboration, with British defense giants such as BAE Systems, Leonardo, and QinetiQ working alongside global leaders like Thales, L3Harris, and General Dynamics to deliver cutting-edge solutions. The UK’s tactical communication ecosystem is not limited to traditional military applications but extends to homeland security, disaster response, and peacekeeping operations. The increasing reliance on unmanned systems, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud-based command-and-control (C2) architectures is reshaping the market, with a growing focus on multi-domain operations (MDO). The history of the UK’s tactical communication market is a testament to its adaptability and technological leadership, evolving from rudimentary wireless sets in World War II to today’s AI-driven, software-defined networks. Early milestones include the No. 19 Radio, a rugged HF/VHF set used extensively during WWII, and the Clansman system in the Cold War era, which introduced semi-secure voice communications for the British Army. The 1990s saw the introduction of Bowman, a digital communication system that revolutionized UK military communications with encrypted voice and data capabilities, though it faced criticism for delays and technical limitations. The subsequent Skynet satellite program further enhanced strategic and tactical reach, enabling global secure communications for UK forces. Regulatory policies have played a crucial role in shaping the market, ensuring interoperability, security, and compliance with international defense standards. The Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations (DSPCR) govern procurement, promoting fair competition while prioritizing national security.

According to the research report UK Tactical Communication Market Overview, 2030, published by Bonafide Research, the UK tactical communication market is expected to reach a market size of more than USD 777.54 Million by 2030. The UK tactical communication market is undergoing a transformative phase, driven by defense modernization, emerging threats, and technological advancements. One of the most significant trends is the shift from legacy hardware-based systems to software-defined radios (SDRs), which offer unparalleled flexibility, allowing waveforms to be updated remotely without hardware modifications. This transition is epitomized by the Morpheus program, which replaces the aging Bowman system with a modular, open-architecture platform capable of integrating AI-driven spectrum management and cognitive radio functionalities. Another key trend is the growing reliance on multi-domain operations (MDO), where seamless communication between ground, air, naval, and space-based assets is critical. Market drivers include the increasing sophistication of electronic warfare (EW) threats, necessitating advanced anti-jamming and low-probability-of-intercept (LPI) waveforms. The UK’s defence budget allocates substantial resources to tactical communications, with programs like LE TacCIS and E-LANCS (Electronic Warfare-Land and Naval Capability Sustainment) enhancing resilience. Additionally, the rise of unmanned systems such as the Protector RG Mk1 drone demands high-capacity data links for real-time ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) feeds. Trade programs and international collaborations further bolster the market. The UK’s participation in NATO’s TACOMS (Tactical Communications) ensures interoperability with allied forces, while partnerships with Five Eyes nations facilitate joint R&D in secure communications. Export initiatives under UK Export Finance (UKEF) promote British-made tactical radios and SATCOM systems to Middle Eastern and Indo-Pacific markets.

Soldier Radios are the backbone of dismounted operations, providing individual troops with secure, lightweight, and ruggedized communication devices. The Bowman Personal Role Radio (PRR) has been a staple for squad-level comms, but it is being phased out in favor of next-gen SDRs under the Morpheus program, which offer enhanced encryption, GPS tracking, and mesh networking capabilities. These radios are designed to function in extreme environments, from Arctic conditions to urban warfare, ensuring reliable connectivity even in GPS-denied scenarios. Manpack Radios serve as the tactical lifeline for platoon and company-level operations, offering extended range and multi-band functionality. Systems like the Falcon III AN/PRC-117G and L3Harris’ AN/PRC-163 provide HF/VHF/UHF and SATCOM connectivity, enabling beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications for forward-deployed units. These manpacks are increasingly integrating AI-driven spectrum hopping to evade jamming, a critical feature in contested electromagnetic environments. Vehicular Intercommunication Radios (VIC) are essential for armored and mechanized units, ensuring seamless communication within and between vehicles. The Bowman VRC series has been widely used, but modern systems like Thales’ SOTAS (Soldier Radio Waveform) offer enhanced networking, supporting real-time data sharing between tanks, IFVs, and command hubs. These systems often include ECCM (Electronic Counter-Countermeasures) to maintain connectivity under electronic attack. High Capacity Data Radios (HCDR) are the workhorses of brigade and division-level communications, enabling high-bandwidth data transfer for video feeds, drone reconnaissance, and C2 applications. The BAE Systems NetVIPR and L3Harris’ AN/PRC-158 leverage MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology to deliver gigabit-speed data links, critical for modern networked warfare. The UK’s push for Morpheus emphasizes open-architecture HCDRs, ensuring future upgrades and interoperability with NATO systems.

Command & Control (C2) is the cornerstone of military operations, relying on secure, real-time data exchange between headquarters and deployed units. Systems like Bowman and Morpheus enable dynamic battle management, integrating feeds from drones, satellites, and ground sensors into a unified operational picture. The UK’s Land ISTAR program further enhances C2 by fusing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data with AI-driven analytics, enabling predictive decision-making. ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) applications depend on high-bandwidth, low-latency communications to transmit drone footage, SIGINT (Signals Intelligence), and battlefield imagery. The Watchkeeper UAV and Protector RG Mk1 rely on HCDRs to stream high-definition video to analysts, while ground-based systems like Soothsayer provide electronic warfare (EW) situational awareness. Secure SATCOM links, such as those provided by Skynet 6, ensure global ISR reach. Communication encompasses everything from encrypted voice comms for infantry squads to strategic SATCOM for joint operations. The UK’s transition to Morpheus ensures that all echelons from dismounted soldiers to armored brigades have resilient, jam-resistant networks. Mesh networking technologies allow units to maintain connectivity even if traditional infrastructure is compromised. Combat applications focus on real-time coordination during engagements, including fire support coordination, close air support, and electronic warfare. Systems like the NLAW anti-tank missile rely on secure datalinks for target acquisition, while EW suites such as Project THERESA disrupt adversarial communications. The integration of AI into combat networks enables faster decision cycles, giving UK forces a decisive edge in high-intensity conflicts.

Ground platforms dominate the market, with systems like Bowman and Morpheus deployed across the British Army. The Ajax armored fighting vehicle and Boxer IFV rely on vehicular intercoms (VIC) for crew coordination and networked warfare. Future ground systems will incorporate AI-driven spectrum management to counter EW threats in urban and jungle environments. Airborne communications are critical for joint operations, with platforms like the F-35 Lightning II using MADL (Multifunction Advanced Data Link) for stealthy, secure data exchange. The Poseidon MRA1 maritime patrol aircraft leverages Link 16 for real-time ISR sharing, while rotary-wing assets like the Apache AH-64E use SDRs for dynamic mission updates. Naval systems prioritize long-range, anti-jamming communications for blue-water operations. The Type 26 frigate and Queen Elizabeth-class carriers employ SEAHAKE and SATCOM systems for global reach, while submarine fleets use ultra-secure ELF/VLF links for stealthy operations. Unmanned Systems are the fastest-growing segment, with drones like Protector RG Mk1 relying on HCDRs for real-time video feeds. Swarm drone communications are emerging as a game-changer, enabling coordinated strikes and reconnaissance missions. The UK’s LANCA (Lightweight Affordable Novel Combat Aircraft) program will further push the boundaries of unmanned tactical comms.

Single-frequency systems represent the more traditional approach, offering straightforward implementation and reliable performance for well-defined operational scenarios. These systems, exemplified by conventional UHF SATCOM links and certain VHF ground radios, provide stable connectivity for fixed installations, routine patrol communications, and other applications where spectrum availability is predictable. Their simplicity makes them cost-effective to deploy and maintain, with lower training requirements for operators. However, this very simplicity creates vulnerabilities in contested electromagnetic environments - single-frequency transmissions are relatively easy to detect, intercept, and jam using modern electronic warfare systems. Despite these limitations, they remain in service for rear-echelon communications, training exercises, and other situations where the threat of electronic attack is minimal or where spectrum congestion is not a significant concern. In contrast, multi-frequency systems have become the cornerstone of frontline UK military communications, designed specifically to overcome the limitations of single-frequency approaches. Advanced platforms like the AN/PRC-163 employ sophisticated software-defined radio architectures that can dynamically switch between HF, VHF, UHF, and SATCOM bands, often within milliseconds. This capability provides several strategic advantages: it creates a moving target for adversarial electronic warfare systems, enables forces to exploit temporarily available spectrum windows, and allows automatic fallback to alternative frequencies when primary channels are compromised.

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.