Stealth Technology Market Expected to Reach $79.1 Billion by 2033

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Stealth Technology Market," The stealth technology market was valued at $42.1 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $79.1 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2024 to 2033.

Governments and defense contractors are heavily investing in R&D to create more advanced stealth capabilities. This includes new materials, improved radar-absorbing coatings, and more sophisticated design techniques to reduce radar cross-sections. For instance, in March 2024, The Indian government has approved a significant project to develop the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. This project is a major step towards enhancing India's defense capabilities and promoting indigenous technology development. The estimated cost of the project is approximately $2 billion. 

The DRDO's Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is expected to lead the development efforts. The stealth technology industry is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge solutions that enhance the tactical advantage of military assets through advanced radar-evading technologies. Moreover, stealth technology is expanding beyond aircraft to include naval vessels, ground vehicles, and unmanned systems. Submarines, surface ships, and ground combat vehicles are being designed with stealth features to evade detection. For instance, in August 2021, Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state arms seller expressed its intention to offer India an upgrade for its Talwar-class guided missile frigates, as reported by Tass on August 27, 2021. Alexander Mikheyev, Rosoboronexport Chief, made this announcement at the Army-2021 international military-technical forum. The Talwar-class frigates, also known as Project 11356, are stealth guided-missile frigates designed and constructed by Russia for the Indian Navy.

The stealth technology industry continues to innovate, focusing on creating highly effective solutions that bolster the stealth capabilities of military systems. Moreover, the iIncrease in geopolitical tensions has fostered the demand for advanced military capabilities to deter potential adversaries. Geopolitical tensions prompt nations to prioritize military modernization efforts to address perceived threats and safeguard their interests. Investing in stealth technology allows countries to upgrade their defense capabilities with advanced platforms such as stealth aircraft, submarines, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), enabling them to respond effectively to evolving security challenges. 

Rise in the geopolitical tensions can trigger arms races and competition among rival nations seeking to outmatch each other militarily.  The stealth technology market size is poised to expand significantly in response to heightened global security concerns and increased defense spending. As countries strive to develop and deploy more advanced weapons systems, including stealth technology, there is a corresponding increase in demand for cutting-edge capabilities to maintain or gain superiority in conflict scenarios. Stealth-enhanced naval platforms offer a significant advantage in maritime operations by bolstering survivability, diminishing the risk of detection by hostile entities, and facilitating proficient offensive and defensive capabilities.

In response to these advancements, countries are directing increased investments towards sophisticated antiship missiles, maritime surveillance mechanisms, and integrated air defense frameworks. For instance, in February 2024, Iran conducted a ceremony to commemorate the addition of two stealth new patrol ships, named the Shahid Sayad Shirazi and Shahid Bagheri, to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy. Notably, Iran maintains two separate naval forces: the official navy and the IRGC Navy. These newly introduced ships possess distinctive characteristics as compared to conventional naval vessels. The stealth technology market opportunity is expanding as countries prioritize defense modernization, Such development of stealth warships and frigates are expected to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period. Therefore, the rapid advancements in stealth technology are expected to drive exponential stealth technology market growth over the forecast period.

Stealth aircraft offers a strategic edge in air warfare by facilitating incursions into enemy defenses and executing missions with lowered susceptibility to detection and interception.  The  key players in the industry aim to increase the stealth technology market share through continuous investment in advanced stealth capabilities. As countries strive to secure or attain air dominance in contested regions, there is an escalating need for sophisticated stealth aircraft. As nations increasingly face the challenges posed by sophisticated air defense systems and peer adversaries with advanced military capabilities, there is a growing demand for advanced stealth aircraft to maintain or gain air superiority in contested environments.

The stealth technology market analysis underscores a shift towards integrated defense systems that incorporate advanced stealth capabilities to mitigate emerging threats. Modern adversaries possess sophisticated detection capabilities, including advanced radar and infrared sensors. To counter these threats, there is a rise in demand for stealthy land platforms that can evade detection and minimize the risk of being targeted. The integration of electronic warfare (EW) systems further enhances the stealth capabilities of these land platforms by providing active countermeasures against enemy detection systems. EW systems can jam or deceive enemy sensors, significantly lowering the chances of detection. The stealth technology market forecast indicates strong growth prospects, driven by increasing global defense expenditures and advancements in radar-evading technologies.

The stealth technology market trends highlight a shift towards multifunctional stealth platforms that enhance operational effectiveness and survivability. Land-based military platforms, such as tanks, armored vehicles, and mobile missile launchers, are increasingly being equipped with stealth technology to enhance their survivability and operational effectiveness on the battlefield. By reducing their radar, infrared, and acoustic signatures, these platforms become harder to detect and target, providing a significant tactical advantage. This makes them more effective in both offensive and defensive operations, driving demand for stealth technologies. The radar stealth is achieved by the use of special materials such as radar absorbent materials applied to the surface of the object that absorb radar waves instead of reflecting them. The stealth technology market size has seen steady growth, driven by increasing global demand for sophisticated military and defense systems that incorporate advanced radar-evading capabilities.

Leading companies dominate the stealth technology market share, leveraging their expertise in developing state-of-the-art radar-evading systems. Stealth fighters and bombers, such as the F-22 Raptor and B-2 Spirit, are designed to evade enemy radar to conduct missions undetected. Rise in the R&D of the radar absorbent material to reduce radar cross section is expected to drive the growth of the market. For instance, in November 2023, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India developed a radar-absorbing paint designed to enhance the stealth capabilities of military aircraft. This paint helps to reduce the radar signature of aircraft, making them less detectable by enemy radar systems. The radar-absorbing paint, developed by the Defence Laboratory of DRDO, will be applied to DRDO's own aircraft and potentially other military platforms.

KEY FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

• By platform, the land segment is anticipated to exhibit significant growth in the near future.
• By technology, the plasma cloud segment is anticipated to exhibit significant growth in the near future.
• By material, the non-metallic/metallic coating segment is anticipated to exhibit significant growth in the near future.
• By region, North America is anticipated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Key players operating in the global stealth technology market include BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Saab AB, Boeing, General Dynamics Corporation, Raytheon Company, Leonardo S.p.A, Thales Group, FACC AG., Lockheed Martin, Krartos, Baykar, and Sukhoi.