The RF defense device market is expected to reach nearly US$3 billion by 2031, growing at an 11% CAGR between 2025 and 2031.
Two major growth engines are driving the market: o Modernization of radar and electronic warfare systems (EW), o The rapid expansion of drone and counter-UAS applications.
Counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) emerges as one of the fastest-growing segments, with its RF device market expected to exceed US$700 million by 2031.
The competitive landscape is evolving as traditional defense primes are joined by a new generation of drone and counter-UAS specialists
Yole Group announces the release of RF for Defense 2026, its first report dedicated entirely to radio-frequency technologies and devices used in defense applications. As defense spending increases worldwide and geopolitical tensions continue to reshape procurement priorities, RF technologies are becoming increasingly strategic across radar, EW, drones, and C-UAS. Yole Group’s latest report provides a comprehensive analysis of this evolving market, including forecasts by defense system, RF function, technology, unit sales, and revenue. The study reveals that the RF defense device market is expected to approach US$3 billion by 2031, driven by two complementary growth engines: the modernization of legacy defense platforms and the rapid proliferation of drones and counter-UAS systems.
Hassan SalehPrincipal Analyst, Radio Frequency at Yole Group
The RF defense market is entering a new phase where traditional radar and electronic warfare programs continue to generate strong demand, while drone and counter-UAS deployments are creating entirely new volume opportunities. These two growth engines are reshaping both technology requirements and competitive dynamics across the RF ecosystem.
Today, radar and electronic warfare applications represent the majority of the RF defense device market. Ongoing fleet modernization programs, replacement of aging systems, and sovereignty driven procurement strategies continue to support demand for high-performance RF technologies, particularly GaAs and GaN devices. At the same time, the rapid expansion of drone deployments is transforming market dynamics. Having reached million-unit production scale in 2025, drone systems are expected to increase significantly over the coming years, creating RF requirements that increasingly resemble those found in telecom and consumer markets. Within this segment, C-UAS stands out as one of the fastest growing opportunities, with demand accelerating across portable, vehicle-mounted, and fixed-site systems.
The RF for Defense 2026 report also highlights how the competitive landscape is evolving. While the RF defense system market remains largely structured around sovereign procurement and established defense primes across the United States, Europe, and China, drone and counter-UAS applications are creating opportunities for a broader range of specialized players. New entrants focused on RF detection, jamming, and drone technologies are becoming increasingly important contributors to the defense ecosystem.
Beyond market forecasts, RF for Defense 2026 delivers a detailed analysis of the value chain, competitive positioning, technology adoption, and regional dynamics across the United States, Europe, and China. The report examines the roles of defense system integrators, RF subsystem suppliers, and RF device manufacturers, offering valuable insights into one of the fastest-evolving segments of the semiconductor industry.
This report is part of Yole Group’s radio frequency collection and complements the upcoming Status of RF Industry 2026 report, which covers additional applications including automotive, consumer, industrial, and communications markets. For defense contractors, RF component suppliers, semiconductor manufacturers, investors, and policymakers, understanding the evolution of RF technologies in defense has become critical. Yole Group’s latest analysis provides the market intelligence needed to navigate this rapidly changing environment.
