Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Rising geopolitical tensions boost EW spend

Defence

Rising geopolitical tensions boost EW spend

An evolving threat landscape and impending modernisation of military aircraft will sustain demand for new, improved Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, according to a new report from Frost & Sullivan.


Courtesy Frost & Sullivan.

The emergence of stealth and low observable aircraft along with Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) systems has made integrated air defence networks very complex and difficult to counter. Also, the development of new missile-seeker technologies for surface-to-air missiles poses a serious threat to aircraft as they bypass existing missile-detection systems.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The presence of these new threats is driving the demand for modern electronic warfare (EW) systems that are sensitive enough to detect and engage targets before they are visually seen. A recent analysis of the global military airborne electronic warfare market forecasts the sector to rake in revenues over $30.8 billion between 2018 and 2028, with $21 billion worth of addressable opportunities arising from the planned and forecasted procurement of EW equipment.

"Many countries will be modernising their aging fleets through upgrade or replacement programmes in the next 10 years," said Ryan Pinto, Research Analyst, Aerospace and Defence at Frost & Sullivan. "With an increased focus on EW systems, this modernisation phase will provide opportunities to replace their existing EW capabilities with modern systems that can counter new threat environments."

Frost & Sullivan's latest research, Global Military Airborne Electronic Warfare Market, Forecast to 2028, investigates the potential of military electronic warfare (EW) equipment in today's volatile geopolitical climate.

The report explores the trends influencing electronic warfare and the factors driving sector growth and offers a segment-wise analysis of the global electronic warfare market. The research also provides detailed revenue forecasts and identifies promising opportunities for growth in the sector.

With Russia demonstrating its advanced electronic warfare capabilities in Ukraine and Syria, China has refocused its efforts toward showcasing similar capabilities in the Pacific.

The two countries see EW as an important force multiplier during a conflict. This has made bridging the EW capability gap a major priority for the US and NATO countries to maintain their advanced capabilities and remain competitive. New threats in the EW domain will drive new research and procurement programmes.

"There is a growing need for indigenisation and collaborative production, especially in emerging markets such as Saudi Arabia and India," noted Pinto. "Defence majors will have to vary their market strategy accordingly to access emerging opportunities in these markets."

Companies operating in this sector can also foster growth by:

Advertisement
ODU RT
  • Offering more robust EW systems that would enable assets to conduct hybrid EW and CW tasks simultaneously.
  • Developing faster signal processing and miniaturisation to increase the sensitivity of jammers.
  • Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and neural networks to enable quicker reactions, faster identification and effective suppression.
  • Reducing the size of EW payload to enable horizontal integration of multiple payloads.

Global Military Airborne Electronic Warfare Market, Forecast to 2028, is a part of Frost & Sullivan's Aerospace & Defense Growth Partnership Service program, which helps organisations identify a continuous flow of growth opportunities to succeed in an unpredictable future.


 

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
LEDsynergy partners with LEDX Technology

Aerospace Defence Security

LEDsynergy partners with LEDX Technology

8 May 2026

Andover based LEDsynergy, a long-established UK manufacturer of LED display solutions, has announced a strategic manufacturing partnership with India’s LED display manufacturer LEDX Technology, marking a significant step forward in its global production strategy.

Vision Engineering to showcase high-tech solutions at Smart Factory Expo

Aerospace Defence Events

Vision Engineering to showcase high-tech solutions at Smart Factory Expo

8 May 2026

UK based designer and manufacturer of high-tech ergonomic optical and digital inspection, metrology systems and bespoke engineering solutions, Vision Engineering Group, has revealed its expansive showcase for the upcoming Smart Factory Expo, taking place next month at the NEC in Birmingham from 3rd-4th June 2026.

ADS supports SMEs reinforcing UK defence capability

Defence Events

ADS supports SMEs reinforcing UK defence capability

8 May 2026

ADS recently hosted 'The Future Starts Small' in partnership with RC Fornax, bringing together SMEs, MoD stakeholders and defence leaders for a focused discussion on the future of UK defence capability.

Belfast boosts FSS programme

Defence

Belfast boosts FSS programme

7 May 2026

Navantia UK today welcomed Commodore Sam Shattock RFA, Commodore Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Rear Admiral Matthew Stratton, Director Naval Acquisition, to its Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast to see progress on the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Royal Navy uses tech for operational edge in Information Warfare

Defence Events

Royal Navy uses tech for operational edge in Information Warfare

7 May 2026

Navy Digital – the Service’s experts in digital capabilities, skills and Information Warfare – and other specialists from across the Royal Navy, teamed up with industry partners to test off-the-shelf cutting-edge technology that, when linked together, creates a ‘mesh network’ which can be deployed to enable front line operations.

MoD awards £6m eLoran concept contract to Team Elaris

Defence

MoD awards £6m eLoran concept contract to Team Elaris

7 May 2026

QinetiQ-led Team Elaris has been awarded a £6 million contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to develop a deployable solution concept for enhanced Long-Range Navigation (eLoran).

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Hexagon leaderboard