Global Military Transmitter & Receiver (T/R) Module Market Research Report: Forecast (2023-2028)

Market Definition

Military Transmitter & Receiver (T/R) Modules refer to the wireless remote control modules that can receive & transmit radio frequencies. The transmission & receiving of radio frequency signals help in various military applications such as radar homing & jamming, electronic warfare, communication, etc.

Market Insights & Analysis: Global Military Transmitter & Receiver (T/R) Module market (2023-28)

The Global Military Transmitter & Receiver (T/R) Module market is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 6.27% during the forecast period, i.e., 2023-28. Some of the key factors attributing to the growth are the high demand for radar-based systems from all the military platforms as well as the enhanced dependence on installing electronic warfare & counter-warfare capabilities within the various military forces. The wide range of applications of TR modules in radars, communication devices, electronic warfare equipment, etc., have majorly benefitted the development of next-generation air & land-based platforms. These next-generation platforms have been developed in line with the integration of a more robust mechanism of both data gathering as well as countering the enemy defenses.

• In 2023, Northrop Grumman announced the development of a next-generation radar F35 fighter jet (5th generation fighter). In the coming years, the current AN/APG-81 AESA radar would be replaced by the AN/APG-85 AESA radar, which would serve the air force with an advanced fire control suite as well as an advanced electronic warfare suite.
• In 2022, India announced the integration of indigenously developed Uttam AESA radar to be integrated into the Tejas LCA fighter. The Cabinet Committee on Approval India announced the allotment of USD1.4 billion for the upcoming development of Mark 2, which would integrate the upcoming radar systems.

The rising geopolitical tensions in Europe & South China Sea have been some other notable factors that have induced the requirement of new military platforms, urging the need to enhance the production of the respective assets. In 2022, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict led to an increased various land- & air-based assets to be purchased by various European countries, subsequently leading to promote the adoption for several radars & communication systems, including transmitter & receiver modules.

• In 2023, Lithuania National Radio and Television raised the fund of USD14 million to purchase radars for Ukrainian forces. According to the organization, the radars would be crucial in protecting the infrastructure such as power plants, water towers, numerous civil & military installations, etc.

Various other countries, such as Germany, Poland, the UK, France, etc., have also enhanced the production & installation of military hardware in order to ensure the safeguarding of their military & geopolitical interest in the European region. With the long-standing conflict in Europe, the Balkan States & South China region, the military hardware & communication systems would help expand the market during 2023-28.

Market Dynamics

Significant Driver: Growing Demand for Military Upgradation Assisting the Growth of the Market

Major militaries across the globe are in the transition phase with an increased focus on military modernization. This modernization being done by the countries such as India, China, the US, the UK, Israel, etc., has led to a large investment being attracted toward the hardware & software upgrade. Some key upgrades being in focus are the communication devices & targeting devices for enhanced situational awareness among the armed forces. In historical years, the indigenization & building of domestic military-industrial complexes by many emerging countries across the globe has led to an incessant need for investment in various military hardware. For instance,

• In 2022, the Ministry of Defence India announced an investment of around USD10 billion for military upgradation in the coming years. This would include the construction of 8 new corvettes, wheeled armored fighting vehicles, anti-tank guided missiles, weapon locating radar, etc.

With an enhanced focus on joint command & control center as well as upgradation from existing legacy systems, all the platforms are anticipated to include a more capable communication solution which would be conducive to the demand for TR module systems being instrumental to the functions of all types of radars, communication devices, IR sensors, etc. For instance:

• In 2022, China Electronics Technology Group (CETC) exhibited its new SLC-18 radar at Zhuhai Air Show. The radar systems can track a constellation of satellites at any given time, offering an effective shield to the military in any eventual situation.

Hence, considering all the upgradation & advancements in various militaries, the adoption of transmitters & receivers for various military applications is expected to grow in the coming years.

Possible Restraint: High Cost of Deployment and R&D of TR Modules & Allied Hardware

With the growing prevalence of stealth technology in military platforms such as aircraft, tanks, ships, etc., the need or more capable radar & tracking systems has increased. Stealth technologies absorb and/or reflects the radio waves to make the platform less observable through reduced radar signature. With the increasing focus on radar masking, several companies have initiated the focus on developing a more capable radar technology that would be capable of detecting enemy systems.

However, recent requirements of the militaries to improve the radar capabilities would be increasingly expensive, both in terms of research & development and deployment. Once the technology becomes obsolete, the military forces a large-scale deployment of next-generation radars due to enemy assets compromising airspace. Consequently, R&D and integration of new-age radars would be an expensive and time-consuming task, making it difficult for many militaries to easily upgrade their existing hardware, posing a risk to the market over 2023 & 2028.

Growth Opportunity: Enhanced Procurement of Land-based Targeting & Tracking Radars to Assist the Growth of Radar-based TR Modules Market

Radars have become a crucial land-based asset of the armed forces due to their pivotal role in providing the enemy information in the battle environment. However, with the growing ballistic & aerial capabilities, the requirement for a more effective land-based targeting & tracking solution has extensively grown among the armed forces. These targeting systems are equipped with both long & short-range radar systems to simultaneously target & track incoming threats in real-time & help to reduce the response time of the forces. For instance:

• In 2022, the Philippines government announced the purchase of three air surveillance radars from Japan. The procurement, with a total cost of USD103.5 million, Horizon 2 Surveillance radar would help the Philippines achieve real-time situational awareness in its airspace.

Furthermore, the requirement for such systems is also expected to prevail with the induction of various 5th-generation aircraft & small-sized drones that are less observable on the conventional radar with limited range. With the enhanced need to counter the new age air threats & maneuverable projectile targets, the land-based targeting & tracking radars are predicted to grow, which would be pivotal for the market expansion of the market during the forecast years.

 Key Trend: Rising Interest for AESA Radar to Benefit Military TR Module Integration

Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar is a fast-growing technology among the various militaries across the globe. This radar is relatively superior to Passive Electronically Scanned Array Radar (PESA) as it can dynamically scan a wide range of targets within a spectrum without mechanically moving the radar, leading to reduce power requirement. This phenomenon also reduces the moving parts in the radars, effectively enhancing the efficiency of the mounted platform. AESA Radar is also relatively harder to jam as it works simultaneously on multiple frequencies, making it less vulnerable to electronic warfare by enemy engagement.

With the rising need for AESA radars by the majority of the air forces and navies for improving the preparedness for next-generation battle challenges, AESA radar and relative GaN-based TR modules are expected to grow significantly in the coming period.

Market Segmentation

Based on the Type:

• Gallium Nitride (GaN)
• Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)

Of all, Gallium Nitride (GaN) has held a sizeable market share in the Global Military Transmitter & Receiver (T/R) Module market during 2018-2022. With the rising demand for advanced electronically scanned array radar (AESA) by the various air-based & land-based platforms, the adoption of GaN-based radar has significantly grown. GaN is a semiconductor material offering a higher breakdown of voltage & electron mobility. The higher breakdown of voltage offers high electric field strength in the device compared to the Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) TR modules. This also helps in reducing the size of the TR modules, thereby achieving a smaller but effective range for the radars in many of the tightly constructed airframes.       

Based on the Application:

• Radar
• Infrared Communication
• Electronic Warfare

Radar has held a significant market share among the various application types of the Global Military TR Module market in the historical years, i.e., 2018-2022. This is due to the high requirement for radars in all of the military domains for situational awareness & increasingly higher reliance on military platforms on various categories of radars. Furthermore, the demand is also on the higher side with the rising focus of the various militaries to upgrade & expand their air force & navy. The robust advanced air defense systems promulgated the need for installing several short-medium & long-range radars near military & civilian installations for tracking incoming hostile targets. For instance:

• In 2022, Russian Federation announced the initiation of mass production of its S500 Prometheus air defense system. The system is capable of targeting mobile aerial targets from a range of up to 600 km, which is slated to be used for domestic defense capability enhancement & also for export purposes to various countries.

Additionally, countries are also focusing on upgrading the old radars in various legacy aircraft to upgrade air power. For instance, in 2022, Air National Guard’s (ANG) 148th Fighter Wing received new AESA radar for its Block-50 F-16 CM aircraft. The new radars would help in easy target identification in both air & land, according to Lockheed Martin (developer). Considering all the factors, the radar segment, with its high deployment in multiple military assets, is expected to hold a sizeable share in the market in the forecast years, i.e., 2023-2028.

Regional Projection

Geographically, the market expands across:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• The Middle East & Africa
• Asia-Pacific

North America is expected to hold a considerable market share in the Global Military Transmitter & Receiver (T/R) Module market in the forecast years. With the presence of a robust military & defense manufacturing sector in countries such as the US, Canada, etc., the need for military hardware, including the end platforms such as ships, aircraft, and land vehicles, along with the critical components such as radars & other communication hardware has also been promulgated. The US is also the highest defense spender across the globe with a massive defense budget, due to which the region has been one of the highest manufacturers & integrators of such systems.

Additionally, Europe & Asia-Pacific are also envisioned to show rising growth due to the increasing focus on the fast-growing militaries such as Russia, India, China, Japan, South Korea, etc., with the expanding military budget & domestic defense manufacturing industry.

Recent Developments in the Global Market

• 2023:  Indian company Bharat Electronics signed an agreement with Thales Reliance Defence Systems (TRDS), Nagpur for manufacturing & supplying TR (Transmitter & Receiver) Modules.
• 2023: The US announced the upgradation of AESA radars of FA-18 Super hornets and EA-18 Growler aircraft. Raytheon would be the provider for the respective AN/APG-79 for both the aircraft in the coming years.

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