Surface Radars Market Size, Share and Trends

DRIVER: Need for enhanced drone detection systems at airports

Drones threaten the security of airports, aircraft, and passengers. The use of stealth technology in these drones increases the threat level, as it enables these drones to breach radar coverage at airports. In recent years, many instances of unidentified drones flying over restricted airspaces have been reported, raising security concerns. One such incident was reported at Gatwick Airport (UK) in December 2018. This incident led to a temporary shutdown of the airport, grounding the incoming and outgoing flights for over 24 hours, which led to economic losses for airliners. A total of 760 flights carrying approximately 110,000 passengers were affected during this temporary shutdown. According to the article in ‘The Verge,’ in December 2018, 13 such incidents were reported across the US, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, New Zealand, and the UK. This increased concern regarding the safety and security of airports and passengers has driven countries to adopt enhanced security surveillance systems at airports. In May 2024, International Airport Kortrijk-Wevelgem, Belgium, installed a new drone detection system. Also, in March 2024, The Instituto Dominicano de Aviación Civil (IDAC) awarded a contract to Thales to install a new co-mounted STAR NG Primary Surveillance Radar and RSM NG Secondary Surveillance Radar at Cibao International Airport. Likewise, many small and large players operating in the airspace security sector have undertaken product enhancements covering radars, camera detection systems, radio frequency detection systems, and jamming technologies. Many airports globally have installed new-generation, primary, and secondary radar systems and specialized drone detection technologies, which are crucial in maintaining efficient air traffic control and supporting research and development. The developments and enhancements underscore the urgency of airports to improve surveillance capabilities for the safety of passengers and aircraft.

RESTRAINT: Inadequate R&D funding

The development and deployment of surface radar systems necessitate multiple R&D efforts, which adds to the overall cost of procurement. The production and maintenance of radars and their integration with fire control systems, command centers, missile systems, and anti-aircraft weaponry put a financial strain on the defense budgets of manufacturers. These surface radars require integrated subassemblies that offer multifunctionality, minimum power dissipation, and low weight, which also leads to increased cost and financial strain on the defense budgets of players. The high cost restricts the access of defense establishments to advanced, state-of-the-art surface radar systems.

The need for innovation in military electronics to meet the changing design and performance requirements necessitates upgrading radar systems, which also puts a financial burden on manufacturers that want to incorporate technological advancements in the research, development, and production stages. Defense agencies, especially those in emerging markets, often experience the impact of these budgetary constraints as they limit their scope to modernize weaponry and defense mechanisms. These financial barriers, compounded with the increasing complexity of advanced radar systems, restrict the growth of defense players.