Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Market by Type (ELINT and COMINT), Application (Airborne, Ground, Naval, Cyber, and Space), and Regional Analysis (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022–2030

Global Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Market Analysis

The global signals intelligence (SIGINT) market size is predicted to garner a revenue of $20,013.20 million in the 2022–2030 timeframe, growing from $13,297.80 million in 2021, at a healthy CAGR of 4.5%. 

Market Synopsis

The signals intelligence (SIGINT) market is predicted to grow at an exponential rate in coming years as in recent several years, national security has become a vital priority in various countries including India, Australia, Taiwan, the U.S., and many others. These countries require a large budget to build well maintained defense facilities. According to data published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, total global military expenditure increased by $1,822 billion in 2018, representing a rise of 2.6% from 2017. Further, its research states that the 5 biggest spenders in 2019 were China, United States, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and India. Together, these economies made up approximately 60% of global military spending. Also, in August 2020, Taiwan government announced that it has increased defense budget by $1.4 billion, as China announced details of its recent combat drills near the democratic island.

Moreover, massive government investments on the defense sectors, combined with increasing adoption of innovative security solutions particularly in China, India, and South Korea are some of the factors fueling the growth of Asia-Pacific signals intelligence (SIGINT) market, during the analysis period. Furthermore, in July 2020, Australian governments also announced to increase defense spending by 40% over the next 10 years. Above-stated facts and figures showcase that the demand for innovative security tools is astonishingly increasing which may lead to boost the global signals intelligence (SIGINT) market, in the forecast period.

However, high cost associated with the deployment of signal intelligence system is further anticipated to decrease the demand for signal intelligence (SIGINT) system, which may eventually decline the global market growth, during the forecast period. Also, lower product penetration in the middle and low income countries is further anticipated to obstruct the global market growth, in the forecast period.

SIGINT plays a vital role in government and defense authorities. Moreover, in recent years, SIGINT solutions have been proliferating their reach in multiple application areas such as Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum mapping, maritime domain awareness, jamming, eavesdropping, and cyber-surveillance. Multiple industries are adopting SIGINT systems for enhanced security and protection. For instance, in January 2019, Elbit Systems Ltd., a global high-technology organization engaged in homeland security defense, and commercial programs, announced that they have received $15 million contracts from Energean plc in order to provide enhanced security solutions for the Offloading platform of the offshore Karish-Tanin gas fields. Moreover, key and innovative vendors in the SIGINT market are following some effective strategies, such as launching insightful webinars and entering into strategic partnership in order to grow in the international market. For instance, in September 2020, Northrop Grumman announced the delivery of two sensors to improve the capability of its Global Hawk high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aircraft system. The MS-177 multi-spectral camera system has been deployed to give additional high-resolution imaging capacity for operational users. Such developments and innovation of SIGINT in the multiple industries are further expected create enormous opportunities for the global industry, in the coming years.

According to the regional analysis of the market, Asia Pacific signals intelligence (SIGINT) market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.0%, by generating a revenue of $5,245.5 million in 2030. Massive government investments on the defense sectors, combined with increasing adoption of innovative security solutions particularly in China, India, and South Korea are some of the factors fueling the growth of Asia-Pacific signals intelligence (SIGINT) market, during the analysis period.  

Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Overview

Signal intelligence (SIGINT) is information obtained by intercepting signals, whether they are human-to-human conversations (COMINT) or electronic signals that are not directly used in communication (ELINT). Signals intelligence is a subset of intelligence gathering management. Because secret and sensitive material is typically encrypted, signal intelligence demands the use of cryptanalysis to decipher transmissions. Traffic analysis, which is the study of who is signaling whom and in what quantity, is used to re-integrate information. Moreover, signal intelligence (SIGINT) has become a crucial component of command & control systems, public safety & security initiatives, and situational awareness. SIGINT has the capability to provide actionable intelligence in real-time by capturing data such as texts, emails, phone calls and other information. Signal intelligence is the process of getting access to the information by collecting and analyzing electronic signal and communications of the target.

COVID-19 Impact on Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Market

The global market for signal intelligence (SIGINT) is projected to experience a massive rise in growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 epidemic has resulted in a significant increase in government surveillance tactics around the world, primarily through the use of cell phone applications. While innovative applications may have practical implications for public health efforts to combat pandemics, their participatory or voluntary nature obscures the link between health data and conventional government monitoring mechanisms, making effective oversight difficult. Because of the ethical and legal issues that come with surveillance tactics, public health measures have generally been averse to using government-led intelligence techniques like signals intelligence (SIGINT).

Moreover, in July 2020, CRFS, a significant player in RF geolocation solutions, announced to release a new series of webinars for supporting and educating those who are working on electronic warfare. The series focuses mainly on the topics including signal intelligence (SIGINT), counter drone technologies, and military spectrum management. Such positive initiatives are further expected to create favorable conditions for the signal intelligence market, post the COVID-19 pandemic.

Growing Terrorist Attacks Along with Defense Budgets are Expected to Drive the Demand for SIGINT Market

The significantly growing terrorism across countries including China, India, and the U.S. is further proliferating the investment on the defense budget by multiple governments. Also, increasing terrorism activities, an increase in defense budgets of major countries throughout the world, and the modernization or replacement of an ageing defense system will accelerate the SIGINT industry. In addition, the SIGINT industry is growing due to an increase in the deployment of electronic intelligence across a variety of businesses. Moreover, for future generations of signals intelligence, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) revealed in November 2019 that it is researching signal-processing technology to increase microwave signal operating bandwidth and real-time RF detection and recognition capabilities (SIGINT). In addition, in May 2020, U.S. Army announced that they are planning to pick signal intelligence and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) payloads for Africa from Textron AAI. This work will be completed in 2022.

Furthermore, therefore, are many public, private, and government firms investing heavily on the development and innovation on the signal intelligence for defense sector. For instance, BAE Systems Inc. has received money from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to combine machine-learning (ML) technology into platforms that decode radio frequency communications and provide signal intelligence capabilities. On top of that, Thales and Dassault Aviation have been granted a contract for Archange, France's strategic airborne intelligence programme aimed at enhancing the country's signal intelligence capabilities, which may further drive the global market, during the forecast period.

To know more about global signals intelligence (SIGINT) market trends, get in touch with our analysts here.

Government Regulations Might Restrict the Market Growth

Incapability to address multiple threats, along with high cost associated with installation of signal intelligence system is anticipated hamper the global market growth. Moreover, budgetary constraints and a scarcity of trained employees make it difficult for military to adopt modern and innovative technologies and products. The deployment of modern communication systems is frequently hampered by financial constraints. Countries in the European Union that are recovering from economic hardship have expressed a desire to reduce their defense budgets. To cut expenses, countries all over the world are studying and inviting innovative alternatives to military equipment. As a result, the SIGINT industry is transitioning from defense to commercial. For example, diminishing defense budgets in several major economies, such as Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, would impair demand for SIGINT equipment in the near future, posing a barrier to the industry's growth.

The Demand for Cyber Intelligence is Expected Create New Opportunities in the SIGINT Industry

SIGINT plays a vital role in government and defense authorities. Moreover, aerospace & defense industry is gracefully embracing technology breakthroughs such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and Industry 4.0, among other technologies, which are considerably digitizing the defense industry's operations. Moreover, growing digitization of this industry is expected to open new doors for SIGINT industry. In addition, US Army announced that they are looking for electronic warfare, prototypes, and trials in signals intelligence and cyber platform. Therefore, tactical signals intelligence vehicle is expected to be part of the terrestrial layer system (TSIG). The United States Army are using the platform to test technologies for sensing, signals intelligence, electronic warfare, and RF-enabled cyber-attacks.

Furthermore, signals intelligence (SIGINT) market in space or satellites is a critical tool for guard and security operations, especially when planning activities and mission organizations remotely. The satellites are designed to provide critical risk assessments and a new level of strategic assistance to commanders and troops. The signals intelligence (SIGINT) market is gaining traction as demand for satellite-based signal intelligence (SIGINT) grows. On top of that, signal intelligence (SIGINT) satellites aid the warfighter by providing real-time data on a regular basis, if not every day of the year. All such factors in signal intelligence (SIGINT) business and its wide variety of applications might bring new opportunities in the market.

To know more about global signals intelligence (SIGINT) market opportunities, get in touch with our analysts here.

Global Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Market, by Type

Based on type, the signals intelligence (SIGINT) market has been segmented into ELINT and COMINT of which COMINT sub-segment is projected to generate the maximum revenue during the forecast period.

Global Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Market Share, By Type, 2021

Source: Research Dive Analysis

In 2021, the global COMINT signals intelligence (SIGINT) market was worth more than $6,189.10 million. COMINT (Communication intelligence) is one of the significant tools that helps militaries with real-time decision-making along with providing a strategic benefit on the battleground. The system collects the enemy’s data including voice or text messages from their communication system. Also, the system helps in the detection, interception, and the transmissions of opponents. Considering these factors, market players like TriaSys Technologies, an innovation leader in signal processing. solutions, continues to expand its offerings and capabilities. For instance, in May 2018, the company made an announcement that they have completed the incorporation of the Protium product line in order to improve their offerings in wireless networking and communications intelligence (COMINT). Furthermore, adoption of emerging technologies by defense departments throughout the world, such as artificial intelligence in electronic warfare, machine learning, and 5G, is likely to boost demand for COMINT and ultimately drives the global market.

Global Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Market, by Application

Based on application, the market has been divided into airborne, ground, naval, cyber, and space, where naval sub-segment is expected to hold the dominant share during the forecasting.

Global Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Market Share, By Application, 2021

Source: Research Dive Analysis

The naval signals intelligence (SIGINT) is anticipated to garner dominant share during the forecast period and generate a revenue of $4,528.30 million by 2030, growing from $2,936.30 million in 2021, with a CAGR of 4.8%. SIGINT solutions help navy specialists. They use innovative technology to collect as well as scan apprehended foreign communication systems and non-communications. They identify as well as process intercepted signals, then analyze them to determine target identification and operational patterns. They then use this data to create combat, strategic, and tactical intelligence decisions. These factors are fueling the market growth, during the forecast period.  

Global Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Market, Regional Insights:

The signals intelligence (SIGINT) market was inspected across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Global Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Market Size & Forecast, By Region, 2021-2030 (USD Million)

Source: Research Dive Analysis

The Market for Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) in North America to Hold Maximum Revenue

The North America region for signals intelligence (SIGINT) market registered a revenue of $4,333.7 million in 2021 and is further anticipated to generate a revenue of $6,206.1 million by 2030. The market growth in the region is attributed to the heavy investment in the defense sector in countries including the U.S. and Canada. For instance, the U.S. invested over $686 billion in its defense budget in 2019. Moreover, Canada also invested around $22 billion in the same year. Such investments are expected to hike the market growth in the North America region, during the analysis period. In addition to this, the strong presence of innovation leaders including Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon and their heavy spending on research are expected to drive the market in the region.

The president of the United States signed a National Defense Authorization Act measure in fiscal year 2019 that raises military and defense expenditures. Moreover, terrorist attacks have been more common in recent years, forcing the region's administration to establish robust physical security methods. As a result, enterprises in the country are concentrating their efforts on product innovation in order to provide increased security solutions to the defense industry. All such elements will accelerate the North America signals intelligence (SIGINT) market.

Competitive Scenario in the Global Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Market

Product launches and mergers & acquisitions are common strategies followed by major market players.

Source: Research Dive Analysis

Some of the leading signals intelligence (SIGINT) market players are BAE Systems., Thales Group, Northrop Grumman Corporation., Lockheed Martin Corporation., Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Elbit Systems Ltd., General Dynamics Corporation, Rheinmetall AG, L3Harris Technologies, Inc., and Mercury Systems, Inc.