Global 5G in Defense Market By Communication Infrastructure (Small Cell, Macro Cell, Radio Access Network (RAN)), By Core Network Technology (SDN, FC, MEC, NFV), By Network Type (eMBB, URLLC, MMTC), By End-Use (Military, Homeland Security), By Region and Key Companies - Industry Segment Outlook, Market Assessment, Competition Scenario, Trends and Forecast 2021–2031

5G technology holds great promise for future defense networks as this technology is expected to immensely improve connectivity and other capabilities that will have a profound influence on the way individuals/systems interact.

In conjunction with AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, advancing the capabilities of command, control, and communications systems is one of four major pillars of the Defense Department’s 2019 Digital Modernization Strategy.

With its support for wireless and wired access, 5G can provide a ubiquitous access layer for defense operations. Its dynamic network slicing capabilities will play a key role in increasing the efficiency and security of the future defense network architecture. To achieve end-to-end slicing will require the modernization of the Defense Department’s transport network, with automation playing a crucial role in supporting key 5G features.

One of the most important aspects of 5G is providing “slices” for specific users and their applications with particular network requirements. For instance, video surveillance cameras need a guaranteed level of high bandwidth, while drone control requires a very short response time.

Each slice can be built to deliver a specific network performance that is required by each application. Typically, a defense network has several classification levels, and slices can provide virtual network partitions that ultimately secure services with various classifications, even though all partitions share the same physical infrastructure.

As defense transport networks grow; the operational management issues that are concerned with these networks are also expected to subsequently increase. Digital services that will run on a distributed cloud infrastructure will multiply, generating a huge amount of traffic, and requires the number and capacity of network nodes to grow significantly as well.

This will increase network complexity, creating operational challenges to guarantee the performance and reliability required by all these applications, making manual configuration setups an even more difficult task.

In short, the setting up of an end-to-end slice across various transport layers must be done in an automated way to communicate the various performance requirements for a given slice to all different nodes at each network layer and to ensure that initial intent is realized end-to-end.

Detailed Segmentation

The Market is Segmented by Communication Infrastructure, Core Network Technology, Network Type, End-Use, and Region.

Based on Communication Infrastructure

• Small Cell
• Macro Cell
• Radio Access Network (RAN)

Based on Core Network Technology

• Software-Defined Networking (SDN)
• Fog Computing (FC)
• Mobile Edge Computing (MEC)
• Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)

Based on Network Type

• Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB)
• Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC)
• Massive Machine-Type Communications (MMTC)

Based on End-Use

• Military
• Homeland Security

Based on Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Market Dynamics

The increasing use of autonomous systems and connected devices are expected to further propel the revenue growth for the 5G in the defense market over the forecast period. According to a report on artificial intelligence and national security published by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) in November 2020, the US Army intended to deploy various Robotic Combat Vehicles (RCVs) with different autonomous capabilities, such as navigation, surveillance, and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) removal.

These devices would accompany an optionally manned fighting vehicle. The navy has also established a Rapid Autonomy Integration Lab (RAIL) to design, evaluate, certify, and deploy new and upgraded autonomous systems.

5G networks have increased the efficiency of autonomous systems by providing faster speeds and greater bandwidth levels. Therefore, a surge in the use of autonomous systems and connected devices attributing to their better and enhanced performance using 5G networks are expected to boost revenue growth opportunities for the global 5G in defense market in the process.

The COVID-19 outbreak had forced governments across the globe to divert their investments and other activities from 5G technology initiatives to strengthen their respective healthcare services in order to manage further contagion.

COVID-19 has led to significant delays in the deployment of 5G services across several nations. Moreover, nationwide lockdowns disrupted supply chains as several 5G component manufacturers partially or completely shut down their given operations. This pandemic has had adverse impacts on this industry, such as the delay in activities and initiatives concerned with developing innovative 5G technologies.

Key players:

• Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Huawei Investment & Holding Co. Ltd.
• Nokia Corporation
• Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• NEC Corporation
• Thales Group
• L3Harris Technologies Inc.
• Raytheon Technologies Corporation
• Ligado Networks
• Wind River Systems Inc.

Recent Developments

• Ericsson fully supports the US Federal Communications Commission’ action to promote a more efficient use of this spectrum, and to adopt policies that limit regulatory constraints on broadband connectivity, while simultaneously protecting adjacent services.
• Ericsson is promoting the deployment of 5G Open Radio Access Networks
• Nokia (NOK) Inks Deal with LG Uplus to Deploy Indoor 5G Solution
• L3Harris to develop wideband software-defined radio technology that resists Electronic Warfare (EW) jamming
• Raytheon and GF partner on 5G wireless connectivity.
• Biden’s Defense Pick, Rt. Gen. Lloyd Austin to receive up to $1.7 Million in payments from Raytheon Technologies Co. for giving up his seat on their board.

For the 5G in Defense Market research study, the following years have been considered to estimate the market size: