Military Satellite Market Research Report Information By Orbit Type (Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit, Geosynchronous Orbit), By Payload Type (Communication Payload, Navigation Payload, Imaging Payload And Others), By Satellite Type (Small Satellite, Medium-to-Heavy Satellite), By System (Electro-Optic/Infrared Sensor (EO/IS), Radar, SATCOM), By Application (ISR, Communication, Navigation) And By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, And Rest Of The World) –Market Forecast Till 2034

Global Military Satellite Market Overview

Military Satellite Market Size was valued at USD 40.69 billion in 2024. The military satellite market industry is projected to grow from USD 42.44 Billion in 2025 to USD 61.96 billion by 2034, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3 % during the forecast period (2025 - 2034). A growing need for reliable surveillance, an increase in the use of aluminum in satellite manufacturing, and growing security concerns are the key market drivers enhancing the market growth.

Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Military Satellite Market Trends

• Rising Security Concerns and a Requirement for Dependable Surveillance to Drive Market Growth

The market CAGR for military satellites is being driven by the rising worry over terrorism, international wars, and political upheaval. Defense forces around the world must implement tactical communication systems due to growing security concerns. Military troops have access to secure communication platforms through tactical communication systems. A number of defense tasks are aided by the real-time intelligence data, navigation, and communication that these satellites provide.

Additionally, the incorporation of artificial intelligence (Al) has resulted in significant changes in the space sector. Artificial intelligence is used to analyze and sort captured images by newly developed military reconnaissance satellites. Furthermore, Al-enabled automatic learning systems and intelligent ground stations improved CubeSat constellation control.

Furthermore, Interconnectivity in loT-based devices and sir vices is required for interconnectivity in loT-based devices and services, which is critical for optimizing various operations in the aviation sector. Satellite connectivity is required for real-time data sharing between loT devices and components. As a result, satellite communication will play an important role in loT services and the aviation industry, driving market growth over the forecast period.

For instance, In November 2019, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) signed a USD 731.8 million contract with General Dynamics Corporation for the maintenance of the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), a next-generation military satellite communication system. Thus, driving the military satellite market revenue.

Military Satellite Market Segment Insights

• Military Satellite Orbit Type Insights

The military satellite market segmentation, based on orbit type includes low earth orbit, medium earth orbit, geosynchronous orbit. The low earth orbit segment dominated the market. Satellites in low earth orbit provide better resolution and detection, as well as shorter transmission delays between space and Earth. Furthermore, signal transmission to and from LEO requires less power than transmission to and from higher orbits.

Figure1:  Military Satellite Market, by Orbit Type, 2025 & 2035 (USD billion)

Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

• Military Satellite Payload Type Insights

The military satellite market is divided into payload types, which include communication, payload, navigation payload, imaging payload, and others. The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is carrying satellite navigation payloads. IRNSS plans to build a regional navigation system using a mix of GEO and GSO (Geosynchronous Orbit) spacecraft. The IRNSS system is expected to provide position precision greater than 20 meters over India and an area stretching about 1500 kilometers beyond India. The IRNSS technique is now referred to as 'NAVIC,' which stands for Navigation Using Indian Constellation. The navigation payloads given to IRNSS spacecraft are listed below. Furthermore, this market had a substantial market share.

• Military Satellite Type Insights

The military satellite market segmentation, based on satellite type includes small satellite, medium-to-heavy satellite. Small satellites had a substantial market share; moreover, small satellites are ones with a modest mass and size, often less than 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). While all such satellites are classified as "small," several classifications are employed based on mass. Satellites can be created in modest sizes to lower the high economic cost of launch vehicles and construction costs.

• Military Satellite System Insights

The military satellite market segmentation, based on system includes Electro-Optic/Infrared, sensor (EO/IS), radar, SATCOM. SATCOM category is mostly utilized in weather monitoring, military surveillance, navigation, and telecommunications applications. Also, SATCOM held significant shares in the market. During a fight, the device collects real-time data to locate concealed tunnels, track movements, and integrate targets, among other things. Rising demand for high throughput satellite services, as well as the proliferation of cloud-based services in ground mobility platforms, will support SATCOM market growth over the projection period.

• Military Satellite Application Insights

ISR, communication, and navigation are part of the application-based segmentation of the military satellite market. The largest market share belonged to the communication segment. This is because cutting-edge communication systems for the battlefield have been developed. Military communication satellites have found significant use in the development of tactical communication systems, tactical data links, contemporary network-centric battle force capabilities, and advanced SATCOMs.

• Military Satellite Regional Insights

By Region, the study provides the market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. Asia Pacific dominated the market in terms of revenue share, accounting for more than 40.0% of the total. Due to rising demand for satellite communication services, the region is likely to maintain its dominance over the predicted period.  Furthermore, increased investments by corporations such as Boeing and Airbus are expected to promote growth in this region.

Further, the major countries studied n the market report are The U.S., Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure2:  MILITARY SATELLITE MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2025 (%)

Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Europe’s military satellite market accounts for the second-largest market share due to increasing investments from space agencies. Further, the German military satellite market held the largest market share, and the UK military satellite market was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

The North America Military Satellite Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2024 to 2032. This is due to increased military spending in nations such as Afghanistan and Iraq, among others. Moreover, China’s military satellite market held the largest market share, and the Indian military satellite market was the fastest-growing market in the North American region.

Military Satellite Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market players are investing heavily in R&D to expand their product lines, which will help the military satellite market grow even more. Market participants are also undertaking a variety of strategic activities to expand their footprint, with important market developments including new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, higher investments, and collaboration with other organizations. To expand and survive in a more competitive and rising market climate, the military satellite industry must offer cost-effective items.

Manufacturing locally to minimize operational costs is one of the key business tactics used by manufacturers in the military satellite industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. In recent years, the military satellite industry has offered some of the most significant advantages to medicine. Major players in the military satellite market, including The Boeing Company (US), SpaceX (US), Lockheed Martin Corporation (US, GE Aviation (US), Raytheon Company (US) and others, are attempting to increase market demand by investing in R&D operations.

Hanwha Group is a large South Korean commercial group.  Founded in 1952 as Korea Explosives Co., the firm has developed into a big multi-faceted commercial conglomerate with holdings ranging from explosives, its core business, to energy, materials, aerospace, mechatronics, finance, retail, and lifestyle services. In 1992, the corporation changed its name to "Hanwha" from its acronym. In September 2021, Hanwha Systems and LIG Nex1 announced that they had secured contracts worth USD 307 million from South Korea's Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) linked to ANASIS-II, the country's first dedicated military communications satellite.

CERES is a French space-based electronic surveillance network designed to collect electromagnetic intelligence from everywhere on the planet. It was designed by Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space for the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) and consists of three formation-flying satellites. It is a strategic tool for France to gather electromagnetic intelligence. CNES created and introduced the ELISA and Essaim in an effort to master this technology. A functional program known as CERES was established by these demonstrators. In  November 2021,  France announced the launch of three Ceres satellites (military electromagnetic-monitoring satellites) to improve its space surveillance capabilities. To find enemy radars, anti-aircraft defense batteries, or communication hubs, the satellites travel in a triangle pattern.

Key Companies in the military satellite market include

• Viasat Inc. (US).


• AeroVironment (US)


• Thales Group (France


• The Boeing Company (US)


• SpaceX (US)


• Lockheed Martin Corporation (US


• GE Aviation/ (US)


• Raytheon Company (US)


• Northrop Grumman Corporation (US)

Military Satellite Industry Developments

In February 2022, SpaceX launched a US ISR satellite, called the National Reconnaissance Office's (NRO) NROL-87 payload, into orbit on board a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

In October 2021, France announced that it had successfully launched a state-of-the-art satellite into orbit, which according to the country, is designed to allow all of France's armed forces across the globe to communicate swiftly and securely. The satellite is designed to resist military aggression as well as interference from the ground and in space.

In November 2021, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, China launched two Yaogan 32-class military satellites on board a Long March 2C rocket for remote sensing applications.

Military Satellite Market Segmentation

Military Satellite Market Orbit Type Outlook

• Low Earth Orbit


• Medium Earth Orbit Geosynchronous Orbit

Military Satellite Market Payload Type Outlook

• Communication Payload


• Navigation Payload


• Imaging Payload


• Others

Military Satellite Market Satellite Type Outlook

• Small Satellite


• Medium-to-Heavy Satellite

Military Satellite Market System Outlook

• Electro-Optic/Infrared Sensor (EO/IS)


• Radar


• SATCOM

 Military Satellite Market Application Outlook

• ISR


• Communication


• Navigation

Military Satellite Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America