Dublin, Jan. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The “Synthetic Aperture Radar Market Report 2026” has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.
The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) market is experiencing significant growth, with its value rising from $5.49 billion in 2025 to $6.22 billion in 2026, marking a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4%. This historical growth is driven by the increasing demand for high-resolution earth observation through SAR systems, heightened government investment in defense surveillance initiatives, and advancements in microwave signal processing that enhance imaging precision. Additionally, the market has seen expansion among commercial remote-sensing operators who are integrating side-looking radar systems, and there is a rising demand for manufacturer-provided maintenance and support services during warranty periods.
Forecasts indicate the SAR market will continue its robust growth, reaching $9.96 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 12.5%. Several factors contribute to this trajectory, including the enhanced adoption of SAR technology in climate monitoring and disaster management, the deployment of SAR-equipped small satellites that facilitate high revisit rates, increased investment in digital SAR architectures, and rising commercial demand for all-weather, day-and-night imaging capabilities. In support of these trends, SAR systems are advancing in miniaturization for small satellite integration, increased spaceborne deployment for earth observation, and the development of multi-frequency and multi-mode systems, alongside integrations with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
UAVs play a critical role in the SAR market’s expansion, particularly for surveillance and operational purposes, across military and civil applications. Their advanced remote-control capabilities and safety features make UAVs vital for monitoring, hazard detection, and reporting threats in high-risk zones like oil refineries and pipelines. Military applications of UAVs equipped with SAR offer essential intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike functionalities. Recently, the UK Ministry of Defence announced a £4.5 billion investment plan into unmanned aerial systems, highlighting this trend.
Industry players are innovating with advanced SAR solutions, including drone-based SAR systems for high-resolution imaging in adverse conditions. Notably, in August 2023, GalaxEye Space introduced a groundbreaking drone-based SAR system utilizing proprietary data fusion technology, marking a significant milestone for Indian private space enterprises.
Strategic alliances are also shaping the industry, such as the September 2024 collaboration between Rheinmetall AG and ICEYE. This partnership grants Rheinmetall exclusive rights to distribute SAR satellites in Germany and Hungary, enhancing military and government applications by integrating ICEYE’s advanced SAR capabilities.
Major market players include Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Airbus Defence and Space S.A.S., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and others. The market landscape promises continued development, particularly in North America, which was the largest region in 2025. The Asia-Pacific region is projected to lead growth through 2030.
However, the SAR market’s expansion faces challenges from changing global trade relations and tariffs, which have raised costs for importing key components like transmitters and antennas. These economic pressures have particularly impacted manufacturers in Asia-Pacific regions, while encouraging local innovation and component manufacturing in North America and Europe.
The SAR market research reports provide comprehensive insights, including market size, regional shares, competitor analysis, and detailed segments. They address current and future trends and challenges, offering strategic recommendations for navigating the evolving global landscape.
Covered regions include Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa. Critical countries analyzed in the market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, the USA, among others. The market’s value includes related services offered by the creators of SAR goods and reflects revenues from sales within specified geographies.
Scope
Coverage spans various market aspects, such as components (Receiver, Transmitter, Antenna), platforms (Airborne, Ground), modes (Single, Multimode), frequency bands, and applications across sectors like Military & Defense and Monitoring & Exploration.
The regional analysis covers geographies like Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa. Expanded coverage includes emerging hubs in Taiwan and Southeast Asia.
The competitive landscape section highlights the market’s competitive nature, key players like Raytheon, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, and others, along with notable financial deals. A company scoring matrix ranks industry leaders based on multi-parameter frameworks.
Key Attributes:
| Report Attribute | Details |
| No. of Pages | 250 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2030 |
| Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2026 | $6.22 Billion |
| Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 | $9.96 Billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 12.5% |
| Regions Covered | Global |
Companies Featured
- 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
For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kiccjc
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- Synthetic Aperture Radar Market
