Overview of the Civilian Radar Industry: Definition, Classification, and Market Development Trends

I. Overview of the Civilian Radar Industry

1. What Is Civilian Radar? Definition and Classification Analysis

Radar (RAdio Detection And Ranging) is a critical device that uses electromagnetic waves to detect targets and obtain information about their position, velocity, and form. Depending on the application, radar can be divided into two main categories: military radar and civilian radar. Civilian radar primarily serves non-military purposes and is widely used in meteorological monitoring, aviation management, road traffic, automotive electronics, and other fields.

(1) Classification by Antenna Scanning Method

  • Mechanically Scanned Radar: Achieves beam scanning through physical rotation of the antenna. It has a simple structure but lower efficiency, making it suitable for limited-area and target detection.
  • Phased-Array Radar: Utilizes electronic phase shifters for beam control, offering faster response times, higher data update rates, superior multi-target tracking capabilities, and resolution. It has become the mainstream direction of radar technology development.

(2) Classification by Frequency Band

Common civilian radar frequency bands include S-band, C-band, and X-band. They can also be categorized as over-the-horizon radar, microwave radar, millimeter-wave radar, and lidar. Generally, longer wavelengths provide a larger detection range but relatively lower accuracy. For example:

  • S/C/X bands are commonly used in meteorological monitoring;
  • Millimeter-wave and lidar are often used in automotive driver assistance and perception systems.
2. Key Characteristics of the Civilian Radar Industry

The civilian radar industry is a typical technology- and innovation-driven sector, with the following notable characteristics:

  • High Added Value: Integrates technologies from multiple fields such as electronics, computer science, and signal processing. It requires substantial R&D investment and highly specialized talent, resulting in products with significant technical barriers and added value.
  • High Economic Benefits: Plays a key role in improving operational efficiency, reducing safety risks, and preventing natural disasters, delivering substantial economic and social returns to users.
  • Broad Social Benefits: Its deep application in critical areas such as meteorology, aviation, transportation, and automotive significantly enhances public safety, environmental protection, and societal operational quality.

II. Analysis of the Global and Chinese Civilian Radar Industry Status

1. Overview of the Global Civilian Radar Market

After decades of development, the global civilian radar industry has matured, forming a large market scale. In 2021, the global civilian radar industry reached a scale of 94.256 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.3%. It is projected to grow to 108.734 billion yuan by the end of 2023, with an annual growth rate of 7.6%.

Currently, the industry is highly concentrated in regions with both technological and market leadership, such as the United States, Europe, and Japan:

  • United States: Holds a leading position in global meteorological radar, air traffic control radar, and automotive radar technologies and markets.
  • Europe: Demonstrates strong competitiveness in meteorological radar and automotive radar, with representative companies including Thales and Bosch.
  • Japan: Has achieved multiple technological breakthroughs and commercial applications in advanced areas such as phased-array meteorological radar and millimeter-wave automotive radar.

Major Global Civilian Radar Companies Include:

  • Honeywell (USA): A key supplier in avionics, air traffic control systems, and automotive sensors.
  • Thales (France): A leader in avionics, air traffic control systems, and traffic management systems.
  • Raytheon (USA): Prominent in missile defense, space exploration, and avionics.
  • Bosch (Germany): A global leader in automotive components and sensors.
  • Mitsubishi Electric (Japan): Possesses comprehensive advantages in power equipment, transportation systems, and industrial automation.
2. Development Status of China’s Civilian Radar Industry

Although China’s civilian radar industry started later, it has developed rapidly and is gradually becoming a key player in the global market. In 2021, the scale of China’s civilian radar market reached 23.814 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.8%. It is projected to exceed 28.737 billion yuan by 2023, with an estimated annual growth rate of 10.3%.

Currently, China’s civilian radar industry focuses on the following key areas:

  • Meteorological Radar: Plays a core role in disaster prevention and mitigation, climate monitoring, and ecological environmental protection, making it a nationally prioritized field.
  • Air Traffic Control Radar: With the rapid development of civil aviation, the demand for air traffic control equipment continues to grow, becoming a major driver of industry growth.
  • Automotive Radar: Accelerated trends in automotive intelligence, connectivity, and electrification are driving demand for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), spurring rapid innovation in millimeter-wave and lidar technologies.

China has achieved a critical transition from technology introduction to independent innovation, mastering core technologies such as S/C/X-band meteorological radar, primary and secondary air traffic control radar, and millimeter-wave radar. Breakthroughs are continually being made in advanced areas like phased-array meteorological radar and lidar. At the same time, Chinese companies are actively engaging in international technical cooperation and exchanges to enhance their innovation capabilities and global market competitiveness.

Further Reading