5G in Defense Market Size and Growth Opportunities and Forecast till 2026 - 2035
5G in Defense Market Size, Share & Trends Report, 2026–2035
LAST UPDATED: OCTOBER 2026
The global 5G in Defense Market size was valued at USD 1.9 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 9.5 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 17.5% from 2026 to 2035. Growth is driven by defense modernization programs, private 5G networks at military bases, ports and depots, tactical and deployable 5G for battlefield connectivity, 5G links for drones, sensors and connected vehicles, and the need for secure, low-latency communications for command, control and intelligence.
5G in defense refers to the use of fifth-generation mobile network technology by armed forces and defense agencies. It includes 5G radio access networks, macro and small cells, core network technologies such as software-defined networking (SDN), network functions virtualization (NFV) and mobile edge computing (MEC), and chipsets such as mmWave and RF integrated circuits. Military uses include private networks at bases and logistics hubs, deployable tactical networks, connected sensors and unmanned systems, augmented and virtual reality training, and smart warehouses, across land, naval and airborne platforms.
5G in Defense Market Key Takeaways
Infographic: 5G in Defense Market Size and Growth Opportunities and Forecast till 2026 - 2035 | Ameco Research
5G in Defense Market Report Scope
| Report Attribute | Details |
| 5G in Defense Market Size in 2025 | USD 1.9 Billion |
| 5G in Defense Market Forecast by 2035 | USD 9.5 Billion |
| 5G in Defense Market CAGR (2026–2035) | 17.5% |
| Analysis Period | 2023–2035 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026–2035 |
| Segments Covered | by Communication Infrastructure, by Core Network Technology, by Network Type, by Chipset, by Platform, and By Region |
| Regional Scope | North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa |
| Key Companies Profiled | Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies, RTX (Raytheon), and NEC Corporation |
| Report Coverage | Market Trends, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, Competitive Analysis, Player Profiling, Regulation Analysis |
5G in Defense Market Size Forecast, 2023–2035
The table below shows the year-by-year size of the global 5g in defense market. Revenue is expected to grow about 5.0 times between 2025 and 2035, reaching roughly USD 4.2 billion by 2030.
| Year | Market Size (USD Billion) |
| 2023 (historical) | 1.4 |
| 2024 (historical) | 1.6 |
| 2025 (base year) | 1.9 |
| 2026 (forecast) | 2.2 |
| 2027 (forecast) | 2.6 |
| 2028 (forecast) | 3.1 |
| 2029 (forecast) | 3.6 |
| 2030 (forecast) | 4.2 |
| 2031 (forecast) | 5.0 |
| 2032 (forecast) | 5.9 |
| 2033 (forecast) | 6.9 |
| 2034 (forecast) | 8.1 |
| 2035 (forecast) | 9.5 |
Latest 5G in Defense Market Trends (2026)
Private 5G at military bases
Defense departments are deploying private 5G networks at bases, ports, airfields and depots to support smart warehouses, logistics, maintenance and secure communications.
Tactical and deployable 5G
Portable, ruggedized 5G nodes mounted on vehicles or carried by troops give forward units high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity where fixed infrastructure is unavailable.
Drones and connected sensors
5G links support swarms of drones, sensors and unmanned ground and maritime vehicles, sharing video and data in near real time for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
Open RAN and supply chain security
Militaries favor open, interoperable radio access networks from trusted suppliers to reduce vendor lock-in and security risks.
Zero-trust and network slicing
Network slicing and zero-trust security help separate classified and unclassified traffic and protect networks against cyberattacks and jamming.
Spectrum sharing and 6G research
Defense agencies are working on dynamic spectrum sharing with commercial operators and funding early research into 6G for future military networks.
5G in Defense Market Dynamics
Growth drivers
- Defense modernization and digital transformation programs
- Need for secure, low-latency communications for command and control
- Growth of drones, IoT sensors and connected military systems
- Government support and allocation of spectrum for defense use
- Collaboration between defense contractors and telecom vendors
Restraints and challenges
- Cybersecurity and supply chain security risks
- Spectrum management and interference challenges
- Slower defense procurement compared with commercial technology cycles
- High cost of ruggedized and secure 5G equipment
Opportunities
Key opportunities include tactical 5G kits, private networks for bases and shipyards, 5G-enabled drones and robotics, AR and VR training, edge computing for battlefield analytics, and allied 5G programs in Europe and Asia Pacific.
5G in Defense Market Segment Analysis
By communication infrastructure
The market is segmented into macro cell, small cell and radio access network (RAN). Small cells hold the largest share because they provide dense, high-capacity coverage at bases and in deployable networks, while RAN is growing quickly with open RAN adoption.
By core network technology and network type
Core network technologies include SDN, MEC, fog computing and NFV, with SDN holding a significant share. Network types include URLLC, eMBB and mMTC, with eMBB a significant segment for video and data and URLLC important for mission-critical control.
By chipset and platform
Chipsets include ASIC, mmWave and RFIC, with mmWave widely used for high-bandwidth links. Platforms include naval, land and airborne, with land holding the largest share and airborne growing fast.
5G in Defense Market Regional Analysis
North America holds the largest share, led by U.S. Department of Defense 5G testbeds and base networks, large defense budgets and major defense and telecom companies.
Asia Pacific is expected to grow fast, driven by defense modernization in China, Japan, South Korea, India and Australia. Europe is also growing quickly with NATO and national 5G defense programs.
Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are smaller markets, with interest from Gulf states investing in advanced military communications.
5G in Defense Market Segmentation
5G in Defense Market Leading Companies
The 5G in defense market includes telecom equipment vendors, defense prime contractors and specialist secure communications firms. Companies compete on security, ruggedization, interoperability, spectrum flexibility and experience with military programs and certifications. Key players profiled in this report include Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies, RTX (Raytheon), and NEC Corporation.
EricssonNokiaSamsungHuawei Technologies Co., Ltd.Thales GroupL3Harris TechnologiesRTX (Raytheon)NEC Corporation
Key Questions Answered in This Report
- What is the size of the 5g in defense market in 2025, and how large will it be by 2030 and 2035?
- What are the main growth drivers, restraints and opportunities through 2035?
- Which by communication infrastructure and by core network technology segments will grow the fastest?
- Which regions and countries offer the largest and fastest-growing opportunities?
- How are private base networks, tactical 5G and drone connectivity shaping 5G in defense in 2026?
- Who are the leading companies, and what strategies are they using to compete?
Research Methodology
Our estimates draw on interviews with defense agencies, telecom equipment vendors, defense contractors and published defense budgets, supported by secondary data from annual reports, investor materials, trade and customs data, standards bodies and industry journals. Bottom-up estimates of company revenues and top-down estimates of application demand are reconciled through data triangulation, and the model is updated with 2026 developments to forecast the market through 2035.
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5G in Defense Market: Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the 5g in defense market?
The global 5g in defense market was valued at USD 1.9 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 9.5 billion by 2035.
What is the growth rate of the 5g in defense market?
The 5g in defense market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 17.5% from 2026 to 2035.
What will the 5g in defense market be worth in 2030?
The 5g in defense market is projected to reach about USD 4.2 billion in 2030, growing at a CAGR of 17.5%.
What is driving growth in the 5g in defense market?
Key drivers are defense modernization, the need for secure low-latency communications, growth of drones and connected sensors, and government spectrum allocation.
What is 5g in defense?
5G in defense is the use of 5G networks, equipment and chipsets by armed forces for secure communications, logistics, training and connected military systems.
Which region leads the 5g in defense market?
North America holds the largest share, while Asia Pacific and Europe are growing fast.
Which segment holds the largest share of the 5g in defense market?
Small cells lead communication infrastructure, SDN holds a significant share of core network technology, and land is the largest platform.
What are the latest trends in the 5g in defense market?
The main 2026 trends are private 5G at military bases, tactical and deployable 5G, drones and connected sensors, open RAN and supply chain security, zero-trust and network slicing and spectrum sharing and 6G research.
What are the main challenges in the 5g in defense market?
The main challenges are cybersecurity and supply chain risks, spectrum management, slow defense procurement and the high cost of secure equipment.
What is tactical 5G?
Tactical 5G uses portable, ruggedized 5G equipment that can be set up in the field to give military units high-speed, low-latency connectivity without fixed infrastructure.
Who are the key players in the 5g in defense market?
Leading companies include Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies, RTX (Raytheon), and NEC Corporation.
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