Synthetic Aperture Radar Market Report 2025

The synthetic aperture radar market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $4.87 billion in 2024 to $5.53 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to military and defense applications, earth observation and monitoring, infrastructure development, satellite launches, natural resource management.

The synthetic aperture radar market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $9.16 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to climate change monitoring, smart cities and urban planning, precision agriculture, disaster response and management, GNSS augmentation. Major trends in the forecast period include focus on persistent surveillance and monitoring, application of SAR in environmental monitoring and climate studies, utilization of SAR for disaster management and emergency response, expansion of SAR for maritime surveillance, collaborations for SAR data sharing and global coverage.

The growth of the synthetic aperture radar market is being driven by an increase in investment in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance and attack purposes. UAVs are widely utilized due to their advanced safety features and remote-control capabilities, enabling them to monitor various locations and identify potential hazards, particularly in critical areas such as oil and gas refineries, pipelines, and flare stacks. Drone technology plays a crucial role in military operations, especially during high-risk situations. The MILSAR SAR/MTI Radar is specifically designed for use on airborne platforms, supporting intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, deterrence, and attack missions. For example, in February 2024, the UK Ministry of Defense announced a new drone strategy that involves an investment of at least £4.5 billion ($5.7 billion) in new unmanned aerial systems over the next decade. Therefore, the growing investments in UAVs for surveillance are expected to propel the synthetic aperture radar market.

The anticipated rise in natural disasters is expected to propel the growth of the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) market in the future. Natural disasters are catastrophic events resulting from the Earth's natural processes, leading to extensive destruction, loss of life, and disruption of normal life. SAR technology is vital in managing natural disasters, as it helps in mapping the extent and depth of floodwaters and tracking their movement over time. It can detect ground movements as small as a few centimeters, making it particularly effective for monitoring slope stability and predicting landslides. For example, in January 2023, a report from the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), a US-based government agency, noted that 18 weather-related disasters with a minimum economic impact of $1 billion occurred in the United States in 2022. That year, the US experienced two tornado outbreaks, three tropical cyclones, and nine severe weather or hail events. Hence, the increasing frequency of natural disasters is driving the growth of the synthetic aperture radar market.

Significant players within the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) market are steering towards advanced product development, notably drone-based SAR systems, to capture a wider market, drive sales, and augment revenue. Drone-based SAR amalgamates SAR technology with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones. GalaxEye Space, an India-based space tech startup, in August 2023, introduced an aerial drone-based SAR system delivering high-resolution all-weather imaging under challenging conditions. GalaxEye's innovative system integrates proprietary data fusion technology, marking a significant leap in space-based insights, enabling satellite constellations to conduct all-weather imaging unhindered by atmospheric constraints.

Top contenders in the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) market are focusing on pioneering technologies, such as SAR satellites, to cater to broader customer bases, enhance sales, and augment revenue. SAR satellites, equipped with synthetic aperture radar technology, stand out as Earth observation satellites. In April 2023, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd. debuted TeLEOS-2, a polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) satellite. TeLEOS-2 boasts a Singaporean-developed SAR payload enabling high-resolution day and night imaging under all weather conditions. Incorporating full polarimetry, it diversifies satellite data applications and offers multi-modal capabilities and swift responsiveness. Positioned in a near-equatorial orbit, TeLEOS-2's high-resolution imagery, acquired through approximately 14 daily passes, broadens coverage over crucial regions, facilitating disaster monitoring, environmental surveillance, and more.

In September 2024, Rheinmetall AG, a Germany-based defense and automotive technology company, formed a strategic partnership with ICEYE, a Finland-based microsatellite manufacturer specializing in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology. This collaboration aims to secure exclusive distribution rights for ICEYE's SAR satellites in Germany and Hungary. Through this agreement, Rheinmetall plans to integrate ICEYE's advanced capabilities into its next-generation battlefield systems, significantly enhancing military and government applications in these regions. This partnership reflects the increasing emphasis on leveraging cutting-edge radar technology to improve defense and surveillance operations.

Major companies operating in the synthetic aperture radar market include Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Airbus Defence and Space S.A.S., Lockheed Martin Corporation, German Aerospace Center, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems plc, Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leonardo S.p.A., General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Saab AB, SAR Aero Inc., Cobham plc, Aselsan A.S., OHB SE, MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., ICEYE Oyj, Intellisense Systems Inc., Capella Space Corporation, IMSAR LLC, SRC Inc., MetaSensing B.V., MetaSensing Group.

North America was the largest region in the synthetic aperture radar market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the synthetic aperture radar market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the synthetic aperture radar market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) acts as an active sensor, emitting microwave signals and capturing backscattered signals from the Earth's surface to generate high-resolution images.

The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) market comprises key components: receiver, transmitter, and antenna. The receiver pertains to the radar system responsible for capturing electrical signals. SAR operates across different platforms including airborne and ground-based systems. Modes for SAR encompass single mode and multimode functionalities. Various frequency bands are employed such as X band, L band, S band, C band, K band, Ku band, Ka band, and UHF/VHF band. These SAR systems find application in military and defense sectors, as well as monitoring and exploration purposes.

The synthetic aperture radar market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides synthetic aperture radar market statistics, including synthetic aperture radar industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a synthetic aperture radar market share, detailed synthetic aperture radar market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the synthetic aperture radar industry. This synthetic aperture radar market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The synthetic aperture radar market consists of sales of airborne or spaceborne side looking radar systems. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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