5G in defense market seen hitting $11.92B by 2035

The global 5G in defense market is projected to grow from $1.68 billion in 2025 to $11.92 billion by 2035 as militaries invest in secure, low-latency networks for command, control and battlefield awareness. The forecast points to rising demand for private 5G, edge computing and AI-enabled systems across land, air and naval operations. Why it matters: - Militaries are moving toward faster, more secure communications that can support real-time intelligence, autonomous systems and multi-domain operations. - The shift matters because defense organizations are replacing legacy networks with 5G-enabled systems to improve resilience, control and battlefield coordination. - The market’s projected growth underscores how central connectivity has become to modern defense modernization programs. What happened: - Market Research Future said the global 5G in defense market was valued at $1.68 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $11.92 billion by 2035. - The report puts the market on a 21.6% compound annual growth rate through 2035. - The forecast was published June 19, 2026. - The report highlighted rising adoption across military platforms, defense bases and tactical networks. The details: - 5G in defense is being used for ultra-low-latency connectivity, secure command-and-control systems and real-time intelligence sharing. - Defense organizations are investing in private 5G networks, virtualized architectures and sovereign communication systems. - The report identifies multi-domain operations as a major driver, with 5G supporting coordination across land, sea, air, cyber and space. - Private military 5G networks are expanding inside installations and strategic facilities to improve security and reduce reliance on commercial telecom infrastructure. - Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems are increasingly using 5G to move high-volume sensor data from drones, autonomous vehicles and surveillance platforms. - Artificial intelligence and edge computing are becoming core to military communications because they reduce latency and support local processing. - The report says sovereign 5G core networks, non-terrestrial networks, tactical edge AI and smart military bases are emerging opportunities. - The report includes a sample PDF request . Between the lines: - The report suggests defense buyers are prioritizing control as much as speed, with sovereign and private networks viewed as strategic assets. - The strongest growth areas appear to be the layers that sit closest to the battlefield, including edge computing, network slicing and connected sensors. - Regional demand is likely to follow defense budgets and modernization cycles, with North America holding the largest share and Europe growing fastest. - The competitive field mixes telecom vendors, defense contractors and networking firms, which points to more partnerships and contract-led expansion. What’s next: - North America is expected to remain the largest regional market at 38.4% of global revenue. - Europe is projected to grow fastest, at a 23.8% CAGR. - Asia-Pacific held 27.1% of the market, with China, Japan, South Korea and India driving demand. - The report expects continued investment in private military networks, tactical connectivity and AI-enabled edge systems. - Recent deals and deployments, including Lockheed Martin, Verizon, Nokia, Samsung, Ericsson and Thales, suggest the market is moving from pilots toward larger rollouts. The bottom line: - Defense 5G is shifting from experimental technology to core military infrastructure, and the market is on track for rapid expansion over the next decade.