Satellite Communications in Defense Sector

Global Satellite Communications in Defense Sector Market to Reach US$7.4 Billion by 2030

The global market for Satellite Communications in Defense Sector estimated at US$5.7 Billion in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$7.4 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.4% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Ground Equipment Offering, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 3.5% CAGR and reach US$4.3 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Services Offering segment is estimated at 5.9% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$1.5 Billion While China is Forecast to Grow at 6.9% CAGR

The Satellite Communications in Defense Sector market in the U.S. is estimated at US$1.5 Billion in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$1.4 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 6.9% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 2.2% and 4.5% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 2.8% CAGR.

Global Satellite Communications In Defense Sector Market - Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

How Are Evolving Combat Requirements Reshaping Satellite Communication Strategies in Defense?
Satellite communications (SATCOM) have become indispensable to modern defense operations, providing secure, reliable, and beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) connectivity across land, air, sea, and space domains. Defense agencies are increasingly prioritizing SATCOM systems that can support multi-domain operations (MDO) and network-centric warfare strategies. Unlike legacy geostationary (GEO) satellite solutions, new military communication architectures are incorporating multi-orbit constellations-including medium Earth orbit (MEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites-to enhance resilience, reduce latency, and enable real-time command and control (C2) in contested and remote environments. These constellations are being fused with advanced satellite ground terminals and software-defined modems to facilitate seamless frequency switching and dynamic bandwidth allocation.

Modern military engagements now demand integrated SATCOM for high-data-rate transmissions such as ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) video feeds, tactical drone communication, blue force tracking, and encrypted battlefield communications. High Throughput Satellites (HTS) and MILSATCOM networks are enabling these requirements by supporting Ka-, Ku-, and X-band frequency operations simultaneously. Moreover, militaries are deploying SATCOM-on-the-move (SOTM) and SATCOM-on-the-pause (SOTP) systems on vehicles, naval platforms, and airborne assets to maintain persistent connectivity while in motion. The strategic role of satellite communications in supporting theater-level logistics, joint force synchronization, and unmanned system coordination is growing with each modernization cycle.

Why Are Defense Ministries Investing in SATCOM Resiliency and Sovereign Capabilities?
Concerns over jamming, spoofing, cyber threats, and kinetic attacks on space assets are prompting militaries to invest heavily in SATCOM resiliency and sovereign space capabilities. The increasing vulnerability of commercial satellites in conflict zones-exemplified by recent space cyberattacks and anti-satellite missile tests-has accelerated efforts to develop hardened military satellite constellations with encrypted payloads, interference mitigation technologies, and autonomous network reconfiguration capabilities. Nations such as the U.S., China, India, and France are boosting budgets for indigenous military SATCOM programs to reduce dependency on foreign constellations and to assert strategic autonomy in defense communications infrastructure.

Additionally, defense space agencies are shifting toward hybrid architectures that integrate commercial and government-owned satellite systems for redundancy. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Protected Tactical Enterprise Service (PTES) and Europe’s GOVSATCOM are examples of initiatives that fuse public-private satellite resources to create scalable, secure communication networks for military missions. To further bolster resiliency, militaries are exploring optical (laser-based) satellite communication as an alternative to radio-frequency (RF) links. Optical SATCOM promises higher data rates, immunity to RF jamming, and enhanced point-to-point confidentiality, positioning it as a critical frontier in next-generation military communication systems.

What Technological Advances Are Expanding the Scope of Defense-Oriented SATCOM Systems?
Technological innovations in satellite manufacturing, antenna design, and software-based signal processing are broadening the defense utility of SATCOM systems. Electronically steered phased array antennas (ESAs) are being integrated into mobile platforms to support agile beamforming, multi-satellite tracking, and dynamic handovers-capabilities essential for maintaining connectivity across congested and contested operational theaters. Modular, flat-panel terminals with reduced size, weight, and power (SWaP) characteristics are enabling high-bandwidth communications on compact unmanned vehicles, dismounted soldiers, and small naval vessels. These terminals can operate across multiple frequency bands and interface with both legacy and next-gen satellite constellations.

AI and machine learning are also playing an increasing role in satellite communications by enabling intelligent routing, interference detection, and autonomous network optimization. Defense SATCOM systems are being equipped with AI-enhanced modulation schemes and cognitive radios that can dynamically adapt waveform parameters to maximize throughput in real-time based on signal conditions. Satellite network management platforms are incorporating edge computing and automated link monitoring to provide predictive diagnostics and cyber threat detection. Additionally, space-based mesh networking and inter-satellite links (ISLs) are under development to facilitate cross-satellite relay without ground station dependence, thereby expanding operational range and reducing latency for front-line units.

What Key Forces Are Accelerating Global Investment in Defense SATCOM Capabilities?
The growth in the satellite communications in defense sector market is driven by several factors, including the increasing complexity of modern warfare, expanding military theater requirements, and the rapid proliferation of multi-domain communication nodes. As armed forces move toward distributed operations and joint-force configurations, the demand for secure, interoperable, and high-throughput satellite links is surging. Defense budgets are reflecting this shift with substantial allocations toward SATCOM terminal upgrades, tactical satellite kits, and satellite launch procurement. Emerging conflict zones, grey-zone warfare, and strategic deterrence initiatives are all contributing to the need for constant, uninterrupted global coverage.

Rising geopolitical tensions and space militarization are prompting countries to accelerate investments in sovereign satellite infrastructure and space-based deterrence capabilities. Programs such as the U.K.’s Skynet 6, India’s GSAT military series, and France’s Syracuse IV are representative of this trend, aiming to deliver hardened, high-capacity military communication satellites with enhanced anti-jamming, anti-cyber, and autonomous reconfiguration capabilities. Meanwhile, NATO’s push toward space domain awareness and joint SATCOM interoperability is leading to multinational SATCOM consortiums and joint venture projects that leverage commercial innovation for military readiness.

Private-sector advancements in small satellite deployment, reusable launch platforms, and flexible payload architectures are also reducing the cost and deployment time of defense SATCOM systems. This has enabled rapid prototyping, constellation refresh, and customized payload development to support specific mission profiles. As the space segment becomes increasingly integrated with battlefield command systems, the SATCOM market in the defense sector is poised for sustained expansion, driven by strategic imperatives and a growing convergence of terrestrial, aerial, and orbital communications domains.

SCOPE OF STUDY:

The report analyzes the Satellite Communications in Defense Sector market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:

Segments:
Offering (Ground Equipment Offering, Services Offering); Application (Surveillance & Tracking Application, Remote Sensing Application, Disaster Recovery Application, Other Applications)

Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.

Select Competitors (Total 44 Featured) -

• Airbus Defence and Space
• BAE Systems plc
• Boeing Defense, Space & Security
• Cobham Limited
• Collins Aerospace (Raytheon)
• EchoStar Corporation
• Elbit Systems Ltd.
• General Dynamics Mission Systems
• Gilat Satellite Networks
• Honeywell Aerospace
• Hughes Network Systems
• Inmarsat Global Ltd.
• Iridium Communications Inc.
• L3Harris Technologies Inc.
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Raytheon Technologies
• SES S.A.
• Thales Group
• Viasat Inc.

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