Coastal Surveillance Radar Market Size

Coastal Surveillance Radar Market Overview

The Coastal Surveillance Radar Market size was valued at USD 740.58 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 999.42 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3% from 2025 to 2033.

The global coastal surveillance radar market is witnessing accelerated deployment, driven by the need for real-time situational awareness in national security, maritime traffic management, anti-smuggling operations, and border control. In 2023, over 8,400 coastal radar units were operational across 70+ maritime nations. These systems are critical for monitoring over 372,000 kilometers of global coastline, with around 65% of this surveillance handled by fixed radar installations and 35% by mobile or shipborne systems.

Modern coastal surveillance radars operate across X-band and S-band frequencies, with detection ranges from 10 km up to 200 km. As of 2023, over 2,300 radars had capabilities for target classification and automatic identification system (AIS) integration. Approximately 52% of new installations now offer AI-enhanced threat detection and real-time video processing. Major ports and naval bases in more than 40 countries have incorporated radar-linked command and control (C2) systems, enhancing response time by over 40%. The increasing focus on littoral security has resulted in more than 110 new radar contracts signed in the past 24 months, reflecting governments' growing reliance on sensor-based coastal monitoring networks.

Key Findings

DRIVER: Escalating threats of maritime intrusions and illegal activities near coastal borders.

COUNTRY/REGION: India has rapidly emerged as a key player, deploying over 160 long-range coastal surveillance radars across its 7,500 km coastline.

SEGMENT: X-Band radar systems dominate due to their high-resolution detection of small and fast-moving targets.

Coastal Surveillance Radar Market Trends

The coastal surveillance radar market is experiencing a shift towards automation, AI-assisted tracking, and radar-electro-optic integration. In 2023, over 620 radar systems were installed with artificial intelligence modules for real-time anomaly detection and pattern recognition. These systems have increased the identification rate of unauthorized vessels by up to 34% in complex traffic zones.

X-band radar systems remain the most commonly used configuration, accounting for 62% of all operational radars, due to their ability to detect small targets like rubber boats and fishing trawlers with precision under 3 meters in cross-sectional area. Meanwhile, S-band radars are gaining momentum for their superior performance in long-range detection and resistance to harsh weather, especially in high-humidity environments. Approximately 2,800 coastal sites globally use dual-frequency (X and S-band) systems for balanced coverage.

Digital signal processing (DSP) advancements have led to a 40% increase in clutter suppression capabilities in next-gen systems, reducing false alarm rates in high wave interference zones. Radar systems with track-while-scan (TWS) technology saw a 23% increase in procurement in 2023, particularly for applications in Asia-Pacific. Over 18 countries are now adopting networked radar systems that link more than 12,000 data points into centralized surveillance platforms.

Integration with unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and aerial drones is a growing trend, with 87 coastal surveillance radars globally connected to drone fleets for live aerial intelligence. As of 2023, more than 15 nations have established radar-data fusion centers integrating coastal radar inputs with satellite imaging and sonar systems. This has improved threat classification accuracy by over 45% during patrol operations. Modular radar units, capable of quick installation on mobile trailers, have expanded deployment flexibility and now make up 17% of all systems used for border surveillance.

Coastal Surveillance Radar Market Dynamics

Coastal surveillance radar market dynamics refer to the key internal and external factors that influence the growth, structure, deployment, and technological advancement of radar systems used for coastal monitoring and maritime security. These dynamics are typically categorized into four core elements: drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges—each impacting the development and performance of the global coastal surveillance radar industry.

DRIVER

Increasing maritime security threats near territorial waters

Global coastal zones face growing threats from piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and unauthorized vessel entry. In 2023, over 27,000 maritime violations were recorded globally, of which 64% occurred within 30 km of shorelines. Nations with extensive coastlines, such as India, Brazil, Indonesia, and the Philippines, are deploying coastal radar arrays for persistent 24/7 surveillance. India’s Coastal Surveillance Network Phase II alone involved the installation of 38 new radar stations with a coverage range exceeding 180 km. These systems can detect vessels with radar cross-sections as small as 2 square meters at 25 nautical miles.

RESTRAINT

Technical limitations in extreme weather conditions

One major restraint is radar performance degradation during cyclones, monsoons, and heavy fog. S-band radars offer better resistance but are often limited by cost and footprint. In high sea-state conditions, X-band radars experience clutter interference from wave reflections, reducing detection accuracy by up to 30%. Arctic surveillance installations reported a 22% drop in radar performance due to ice accumulation and electromagnetic interference from atmospheric conditions. Additionally, maintenance costs in saline environments, especially for exposed antenna arrays, can exceed $12,000 per unit annually, deterring full-scale deployment in budget-constrained nations.

OPPORTUNITY

Integration with autonomous platforms and smart coastal grids

Advanced coastal surveillance radars are increasingly being integrated into AI-powered coastal defense ecosystems. In 2023, over 150 autonomous surface vessels and fixed-wing drones were synchronized with coastal radar feeds for threat validation and interdiction. These multi-sensor platforms enhance detection ranges by 35% and reduce false positives by 28%. Radar manufacturers are developing plug-and-play systems compatible with coastal traffic management centers and maritime fusion centers. Countries like Singapore and Israel are leading deployment of smart coastal surveillance grids linking radar, electro-optical, sonar, and thermal systems to centralized AI analysis engines.

CHALLENGE

Regulatory constraints and cross-border signal interference

Regulatory restrictions in coastal radar operations present operational and diplomatic challenges. Frequency band overlaps can lead to signal interference in shared maritime zones. In 2023, over 420 radar operators reported interference issues near tri-national maritime boundaries. Civil aviation and commercial broadcasting often share similar spectrum allocations, leading to strict regulation and limited bandwidth for military-grade radar. Moreover, in conflict-sensitive regions, such as the South China Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, radar deployment must conform to international maritime law, delaying installations and leading to prolonged procurement timelines.

Coastal Surveillance Radar Market Segmentation

The coastal surveillance radar market is segmented by radar type and application area. These segments determine the specific operational requirements, performance capabilities, and deployment scale for each radar system.

By Type

X-Band Radar: X-band radars are designed for high-resolution detection and are optimal for identifying small, fast-moving maritime targets. They operate within 8–12 GHz and are capable of detecting targets as small as 1.5 meters in length. Over 5,200 systems worldwide are X-band configurations, with dominant usage in fast-reaction naval patrols, fishing zones, and nearshore defense perimeters. Their compact size allows easier deployment on mobile and fixed towers alike.
S-Band Radar: S-band systems operate in the 2–4 GHz frequency range and are known for better weather penetration and long-range detection. These systems are especially common in ports, harbors, and open coastlines facing heavy fog, rain, or sea clutter. Approximately 2,400 coastal sites globally operate S-band radars, with many integrated into harbor traffic management systems and wide-area surveillance programs across Europe and the Middle East.
Others: This segment includes dual-band systems, millimeter-wave radars, and radar/optical fusion systems. Around 800 units fall into this category. These systems are deployed in strategic high-risk locations where both short-range and long-range capabilities are needed on the same platform, such as choke points, estuaries, and offshore installations.

By Application

Coast Guard: Coast guard agencies utilize coastal surveillance radars for border control, search and rescue (SAR), and smuggling prevention. In 2023, over 3,600 radar stations were operated by coast guard entities worldwide. These systems are integrated with VHF communication and AIS databases to support maritime law enforcement missions.
Naval: Naval applications account for over 40% of coastal radar use, with more than 4,200 systems operated by national navies. These include fixed coastal installations, forward operating bases, and mobile radar arrays used for early-warning systems and fleet coordination. Naval radars often feature encrypted data links and are part of layered maritime surveillance.
Others: Other applications include port authorities, maritime safety administrations, environmental monitoring units, and oil rig security. Over 1,000 radars are operated in non-military roles, providing coastal weather monitoring, wave mapping, and marine traffic separation services.

Regional Outlook for the Coastal Surveillance Radar Market

Regional outlook refers to the detailed analysis of how a specific market—such as the coastal surveillance radar market—performs across various geographical regions. It involves evaluating each region's unique market conditions, deployment scale, infrastructure readiness, government policies, technological adoption, and security demands.

North America

North America maintains a leading position in coastal radar deployment, especially in the United States, with over 2,000 systems across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts. The U.S. Coast Guard operates 1,100 radar stations linked to a network of command centers and mobile response units. Canada, with its extensive Arctic and Pacific coasts, uses over 320 radars in its Integrated Marine Surveillance Program.

Europe

Europe is a mature market with over 2,500 operational radar systems across the EU coastal regions. The UK and France lead with a combined 1,400 radars used for naval and border surveillance. Greece and Italy have strengthened their Mediterranean coverage with more than 500 units added since 2021. The EU’s Copernicus Maritime Surveillance program integrates radar data from over 30 coastal nations.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is experiencing rapid growth, with over 2,900 systems active as of 2023. India, China, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia are the top contributors. India alone operates 160+ long-range radar sites under the CSN network. China’s maritime security units manage over 900 coastal radars, while Japan deploys dual-band systems on over 100 islands for maritime domain awareness.

Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa is developing steadily, with 1,200 active installations. UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel are the regional leaders. Israel’s coastline is covered by 95 radar units integrated with aerial drones. South Africa and Egypt have deployed over 200 combined radar systems focused on anti-smuggling and port security. Expansion efforts are underway in Nigeria and Kenya to monitor piracy-prone coastal corridors.

List of Top Coastal Surveillance Radar Companies

Thales
Leonardo
Terma
Raytheon
Airbus
CETC
L3Harris Technologies
Sperry Marine
Northrop Grumman
Tokyo Keiki
IAI ELTA
Hensoldt
Aselsan
Furuno Electric
FLIR Systems
GEM Elettronica

Thales: Thales is a market leader with over 1,700 coastal surveillance radars deployed across 50 countries. Its systems are operational in major programs including the Indian CSN, French Navy bases, and ASEAN maritime networks. The company’s Ground Master and COASTWATCHER lines dominate with long-range detection and encrypted communications.

Leonardo: Leonardo operates more than 1,300 deployed units across Europe, the Middle East, and South America. Leonardo’s RAT 31DL and Kronos systems are used by 18 naval forces and integrated into NATO maritime command structures, offering detection ranges of up to 250 kilometers with 3D surveillance capabilities.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

In 2023, global investments in coastal surveillance radar infrastructure surpassed $2.8 billion, driven by defense modernization programs, maritime law enforcement upgrades, and naval interoperability requirements. Government procurement accounted for 72% of new investments, with over 110 active projects funded across 40 countries. India allocated funding for 38 new radar installations along its eastern seaboard. The EU authorized €440 million for joint coastal surveillance integration under its Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

Private sector investments grew in strategic segments such as smart ports and offshore security. Over 40 port authorities globally upgraded radar installations to dual-frequency systems in 2023 to improve vessel tracking accuracy and enhance docking safety. In the U.S., Department of Homeland Security allocated $115 million to enhance coastal radar coverage in the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Northwest.

Tech companies are increasingly investing in radar-AI fusion. In Israel and South Korea, start-ups secured over $68 million in combined funding to develop machine learning models for radar signal classification and anomaly detection. Modular radar platforms are receiving attention due to their rapid deployability—13 countries launched mobile radar deployment programs in 2023 to cover vulnerable coastlines and estuaries.

Defense contractors are focusing R&D on ruggedized radars for harsh environments and radar-drones integration. Brazil, Argentina, and Chile began joint procurement discussions for radar networks in the South Atlantic Monitoring Zone. New coastal installations in West Africa—funded by the African Union and EU—highlight expanding demand in regions facing piracy and illegal fishing threats.

Opportunities are growing in data integration platforms combining radar, AIS, EO/IR, sonar, and weather sensors. More than 30 countries are expected to launch integrated maritime surveillance centers by 2026, requiring unified radar feeds. Companies offering multi-sensor interoperability and analytics will be strongly positioned in the next procurement cycle.

New Product Development

The coastal surveillance radar industry has seen significant innovation in 2023–2024, with over 75 new systems introduced featuring advanced detection algorithms, AI integration, and environmental resilience. Thales launched its COASTWATCHER 1000 model with a 230 km range, automatic tracking of up to 800 targets, and autonomous threat classification via embedded AI.

Leonardo introduced the Kronos Land Coastal radar system, featuring AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) technology and 3D real-time target imaging. This radar supports multi-role deployment and can operate simultaneously in maritime surveillance and short-range air defense configurations.

Raytheon unveiled its SeaSentinel-X system with dual-frequency operation, cyber-hardened transmission protocols, and mobile-mount architecture, suitable for coastal response vehicles. It integrates directly with command centers and UAVs, with latency below 120 milliseconds for real-time mission updates.

IAI ELTA launched an upgraded version of its EL/M-2226 series with real-time wave spectrum analysis, allowing early detection of stealth vessels using hull wake analysis. This innovation is already in trials across four Middle Eastern coastal zones. L3Harris Technologies developed a 360-degree panoramic radar system capable of simultaneous surface and aerial surveillance with radar fusion algorithms deployed across 22 sites.

In Japan, Furuno Electric launched a compact radar module suitable for small island deployment and rapid relocation, using renewable power sources and offering up to 36 hours of off-grid operation. These innovations highlight the sector’s focus on automation, versatility, and environmental adaptability in both fixed and mobile use cases.

Five Recent Developments

Thales deployed 42 new COASTWATCHER radar units in Southeast Asia under a multi-nation maritime defense pact signed in Q3 2023.
Leonardo completed the integration of 78 Kronos radar systems into NATO’s maritime surveillance grid across six European countries in early 2024.
IAI ELTA supplied an upgraded radar network to the Indian Navy for use on Andaman & Nicobar islands, including 18 EL/M-series units with AI-enhanced analytics.
Raytheon began trials of a radar-digital twin platform in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, aiming to simulate real-time maritime traffic and sensor behavior.
L3Harris Technologies commissioned a $92 million radar manufacturing and R&D facility in Florida to expand coastal and border security system production.

Report Coverage of Coastal Surveillance Radar Market

This report offers comprehensive coverage of the global coastal surveillance radar market, evaluating over 50 countries, 15 military programs, and 120 system models deployed across naval, coast guard, and civilian infrastructure. The scope includes detailed segmentation by radar band, application, deployment platform, and regional performance. The report analyzes over 200 installation projects executed between 2021 and 2024, with technical performance benchmarks, upgrade cycles, and mission profiles.

Data presented includes detection range comparisons, false alarm rates, environmental resistance specifications, signal classification rates, and sensor integration ratios. The report outlines procurement timelines, deployment strategies, and radar network configurations, offering insight into fixed, mobile, and modular system roles in national coastal defense.

The report also investigates cross-sector usage, covering installations in smart ports, energy infrastructure, and fisheries protection. Supply chain evaluation includes hardware component sourcing, radar housing and antenna design, and post-installation service life indicators. Over 80 R&D projects are profiled to track innovation in digital signal processing, spectrum management, and target discrimination algorithms.

Investment and strategic partnership trends are broken down by public and private sector, including multilateral defense cooperation, joint ventures, and export-backed financing for emerging economies. The competitive landscape profiles 16 major manufacturers by radar units shipped, technology portfolio depth, contract wins, and integration capabilities.

This data-rich report enables defense strategists, procurement agencies, radar manufacturers, and coastal security integrators to assess market trajectories, identify procurement opportunities, and develop interoperability strategies across existing and future maritime monitoring infrastructures.