Infrared Search and Track (IRST) System Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

The infrared search and track (IRST) system market share is expected to increase to USD 879.44 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 3.15%.

This IRST system market research report provides valuable insights on the post COVID-19 impact on the market, which will help companies evaluate their business approaches. Furthermore, this report extensively covers infrared search and track system market segmentation by end-user (aerospace and defense and civil) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The infrared search and track (IRST) system market report also offers information on several market vendors, including ASELSAN AS, Excelitas Technologies Corp., HGH Systemes Infrarouges SAS, Leonardo Spa, Lockheed Martin Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., Raytheon Technologies Corp., Rheinmetall AG, Safran SA, Thales Group, and Tonbo Imaging India Pvt Ltd. among others.

What will the Infrared Search and Track (IRST) System Market Size be During the Forecast Period?

Download the Free Report Sample to Unlock the Infrared Search and Track (IRST) System Market Size for the Forecast Period and Other Important Statistics

Infrared Search and Track (IRST) System Market: Key Drivers, Trends, and Challenges

The development of new-generation air and missile defense systems is notably driving the infrared search and track (IRST) system market growth, although factors such as high R&D costs and successive project cancellations may impede market growth. Our research analysts have studied the historical data and deduced the key market drivers and the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the infrared search and track (IRST) system industry. The holistic analysis of the drivers will help in deducing end goals and refining marketing strategies to gain a competitive edge.

Key Infrared Search and Track (IRST) System Market Driver

One of the key factors driving the global infrared search and track industry growth is the development of new-generation air and missile defense systems. A few of these new developments include high-speed cruise missiles and nuclear-capable ballistic missiles. Various countries are developing advanced weapons that can defeat high-end air defense systems, including:

• The Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
• Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS)

The S-400. Countries such as China, India, and Russia have developed hypersonic missiles that are difficult to intercept for missile shields. Such developments have led to the requirement for new-generation high-speed air defense electronic warfare systems, which will augment the application of infrared search and track IRST systems during the forecast period. For instance, in August 2021, US Air Force (USAF) Boeing F-15C Eagle downed a QF-16 target drone using a Raytheon AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) guided by an IRST system. 

Key Infrared Search and Track (IRST) System Market Trend

Growing preference for infrared search and track IRST systems over radar is one of the key IRST market trends that is expected to impact the industry positively in the forecast period. The infrared search and track IRST systems are gaining prominence in air defense applications due to increased reluctance to use radar sensors owing to the threat of anti-radiation missiles and a dramatic increase in IR sensor performance. For instance;

• In April 2022, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signed a contract for the joint development and production of a new infrared search and track system. The company informed that the development of the system will be under the MAKE-II procedure of Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020.
• In April 2022, The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)'s Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE) completed the design work on the Infrared Search and Track System (IRST) for the Tejas Mark-II program. 

Key Infrared Search and Track (IRST) System Market Challenge

One of the key challenges to the global infrared search and track market growth is the high R&D costs and successive project cancellations. The development of a new design for a missile may cost billions of dollars, which has resulted in favoring the adaptation of existing defense technologies in a budget-constrained, suboptimal manner, usually by sacrificing both performance and reliability. The cost of defense equipment can be segmented into associative development costs and production costs. An increase in either of the segments can contribute to an unforeseen escalation in costs and elongation of the delivery period. In addition, to deliver the best results, R&D activities are carried out for an extended period and include several hours of rigorous testing and documentation before commercially releasing a new variant of an armored vehicle. Hence, the cost of new technology, especially new concepts, is expected to be as high and economically unfeasible and ineffective unless mass adoption of such technologies, which may hinder the market growth.

This infrared search and track (IRST) system market analysis report also provides detailed information on other upcoming trends and challenges that will have a far-reaching effect on the market growth. The actionable insights on the trends and challenges will help companies evaluate and develop growth strategies for 2022-2026.

Parent Market Analysis

Technavio categorizes the global infrared search and tracks system market as a part of the global electronic components market. Our research report has extensively covered external factors influencing the parent market growth potential in the coming years, which will determine the levels of growth of the infrared search and track (IRST) system market during the forecast period.

Who are the Major Infrared Search and Track (IRST) System Market Vendors?

The report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors, including:

• ASELSAN AS
• Excelitas Technologies Corp.
• HGH Systemes Infrarouges SAS
• Leonardo Spa
• Lockheed Martin Corp.
• Northrop Grumman Corp.
• Raytheon Technologies Corp.
• Rheinmetall AG
• Safran SA
• Thales Group
• Tonbo Imaging India Pvt Ltd.

This statistical study of the infrared search and track (IRST) system market encompasses successful business strategies deployed by the key vendors. The infrared search and track (IRST) system market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as technological innovation to compete in the market.

Product Insights and News

• ASELSAN AS - The company offers an infrared search and track IRST system that is designed for maritime platforms in order to passively detect and track multiple air and surface vehicles and missiles with its staring sensors.
• HGH Systemes Infrarouges SAS - The company offers an infrared search and track IRST system that is required by worldwide navies where the technology is based on the SPYNEL wide-area surveillance technology that acts as a passive early warning system embedded on ships for 360-degree protection against asymmetrical threats.

To make the most of the opportunities and recover from post COVID-19 impact, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

The infrared search and track (IRST) system market forecast report offers in-depth insights into key vendor profiles. The profiles include information on the production, sustainability, and prospects of the leading companies.

Infrared Search and Track (IRST) System Market Value Chain Analysis

Our report provides extensive information on the value chain analysis for the infrared search and track (IRST) system market, which vendors can leverage to gain a competitive advantage during the forecast period. The end-to-end understanding of the value chain is essential in profit margin optimization and evaluation of business strategies. The data available in our value chain analysis segment can help vendors drive costs and enhance customer services during the forecast period.

Which are the Key Regions for Infrared Search and Track (IRST) System Market?

For more insights on the market share of various regions Request for a FREE sample now!

38% of the market's growth will originate from North America during the forecast period. The US is the key market for infrared search and track (IRST) systems in North America. Market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in other regions.

The significant increase in R&D spending in countries such as the US will facilitate the infrared search and track (IRST) system market growth in North America over the forecast period. This market research report entails detailed information on the competitive intelligence, marketing gaps, and regional opportunities in store for vendors, which will assist in creating efficient business plans.

COVID Impact and Recovery Analysis

In 2020, despite the challenges faced by several industries in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the market for aerospace and defense remained resilient in the region, owing to continued developments across the aerospace and defense sector, which resulted in the deployment of infrared search and track IRST systems in the region in 2020. Such initiatives by the US government are expected to drive the growth of the market in focus in the region during the forecast period.

What are the Revenue-generating End-user Segments in the Infrared Search and Track (IRST) System Market?

To gain further insights on the market contribution of various segments Request for a FREE sample

The infrared search and track (IRST) system market share growth by the aerospace and defense segment will be significant during the forecast period. Aerospace and defense comprise two major components, namely mobile devices in the air and composite installations on the ground. Composite installations that are on the ground are part of battle emergency management control systems (BEMCS) that detect any intruders into the airspace or threat remotely. Infrared search and track IRST systems are being adopted by the aerospace and defense organization. For instance, in late 2019, Boeing Co. and the US Navy flew a F/A-18 Super Hornet equipped with an IRST Block II pod, which is a critical component of the Block III Super Hornet. Thus, the increase in the adoption of the infrared search and track IRST systems will propel the market in focus in the forecast years.

This report provides an accurate prediction of the contribution of all the segments to the growth of the infrared search and track (IRST) system market size and actionable market insights on post COVID-19 impact on each segment.

Request for a FREE sample

What are the Key Data Covered in this Infrared Search and Track (IRST) System Market Report?

• CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2022-2026
• Detailed information on factors that will drive infrared search and track system market growth during the next five years
• Precise estimation of the infrared search and track (IRST) system market size and its contribution to the parent market
• Accurate predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior
• The growth of the infrared search and track (IRST) system industry across North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa
• A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors
• Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of infrared search and track (IRST) system market vendors

We can help! Our analysts can customize this report to meet your requirements. Get in touch