Global Over the Horizon Radars Market to Reach US$1.5 Billion by 2030

The global market for Over the Horizon Radars estimated at US$1.2 Billion in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$1.5 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.6% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Surveillance & Airborne Early Warning Radar, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 3.8% CAGR and reach US$549.2 Million by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Tracking & Fire Control Radar segment is estimated at 3.9% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$320.6 Million While China is Forecast to Grow at 7.1% CAGR

The Over the Horizon Radars market in the U.S. is estimated at US$320.6 Million in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$298.6 Million by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 7.1% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 2.2% and 4.5% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 2.9% CAGR.

Global Over the Horizon Radars Market – Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

Can Over-the-Horizon Radar Technology Revolutionize Long-Range Surveillance and National Security?

Over-the-horizon (OTH) radar systems, which utilize skywave or surface wave propagation to detect targets far beyond the line of sight, have become essential components in strategic military early warning, airspace monitoring, and maritime domain awareness. Unlike conventional radar systems constrained by the Earth’s curvature, OTH radars can track aircraft, missiles, and ships at distances exceeding 3,000 kilometers. This capability is particularly valuable for detecting hypersonic threats, low-flying cruise missiles, and stealth aircraft long before they approach critical defense perimeters.

Strategic investments in OTH radar infrastructure are increasing globally as defense agencies modernize surveillance networks to counter evolving air and sea threats. Notable systems like the U.S. AN/TPS-71 ROTHR, Russia’s Container Radar, and China’s OTH-B arrays are designed for persistent, wide-area coverage. These systems operate using high-frequency (HF) bands and ionospheric reflection principles, which demand advanced signal processing algorithms and dynamic calibration to maintain accuracy in fluctuating atmospheric conditions.

Why Are Geopolitical Tensions and Gray-Zone Threats Accelerating Adoption of OTH Systems?

The resurgence of great-power competition, rising naval activities in contested waters, and the proliferation of low-observable aerial threats have made OTH radar capabilities a strategic priority. Nations with vast maritime borders—such as Australia, India, and the U.S.—are expanding their investments in OTH systems to monitor sea lanes, detect illegal fishing, and prevent encroachment by adversarial submarines or unmanned aerial vehicles. In an era of hybrid warfare, these radars serve as critical tools for ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) missions where early detection and persistent monitoring are essential.

Additionally, the ability of OTH radars to operate in both peacetime and conflict scenarios with minimal exposure risk makes them attractive for coastal and strategic installations. Their passive detection profile and long operational ranges reduce the need for forward-deployed assets, helping nations maintain surveillance without provoking escalation. This strategic utility is expanding their role not only in military settings but also in disaster response, illegal trafficking interdiction, and monitoring of atmospheric disturbances.

How Are Technical Advancements and Multi-Domain Integration Enhancing Performance?

Significant R&D efforts are focused on enhancing signal clarity, resolution, and operational reliability of OTH systems. Adaptive signal processing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are being incorporated to filter ionospheric noise, track fast-moving or maneuvering targets, and distinguish between legitimate signals and background clutter. These improvements are helping mitigate historical challenges related to false positives and low angular resolution.

Integration with satellite intelligence, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and underwater surveillance networks is enabling a holistic, multi-domain threat detection framework. Additionally, the deployment of transportable or semi-mobile OTH platforms is under exploration, allowing flexible coverage over dynamic operational theaters. Research into using OTH radars for space domain awareness and tracking near-earth objects is also underway, extending their utility beyond conventional military scopes.

What’s Driving the Accelerated Growth of the Over-the-Horizon Radars Market?

The growth in the over-the-horizon radars market is driven by several factors including increasing demand for long-range situational awareness, geopolitical instability, and rapid advancements in radar signal processing. A key growth driver is the global need for early threat detection in maritime and aerial domains, especially as hypersonic weapon development and stealth technology proliferate. The strategic relevance of OTH radars is pushing governments to fund modernization programs and domestic capability development, particularly in countries with expansive territorial waters or critical air corridors.

Furthermore, joint defense alliances and multinational ISR cooperation initiatives are generating cross-border demand for interoperable radar systems. Defense primes and specialized radar technology firms are forming consortiums to offer turnkey OTH systems with integrated training and support infrastructure. As public and private sector defense stakeholders prioritize cost-effective, long-range, and real-time surveillance capabilities, the OTH radar segment is poised for steady and strategic growth worldwide.