Infrared Countermeasures System Market Size, Share and Trends 2026 to 2035
Infrared Countermeasures System Market (By Type: Active Infrared Countermeasures, Passive Infrared Countermeasures, Hybrid Infrared Countermeasures; By Platform: Land, Air, Naval; By Component: Laser Systems, Decoy Systems, Electronics and Control Systems, Software; By Application: Aerospace, Military, Commercial Aviation, Homeland Security, Automotive) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Trends, Leading Companies, Regional Outlook, and Forecast 2026 to 2035
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Table Of Content
What is the Infrared Countermeasures System Market Size?
The global infrared countermeasures system market size was calculated at USD 9.59 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 10.05 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 15.36 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 4.82% from 2026 to 2035.The smart features, such as AI-driven threat detection, miniaturized turret designs, and more, are enabling shifts in security and technologies.
Market Highlights
- North America accounted for the largest market share in 2025.
- Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2026 to 2035.
- By type, the active infrared countermeasures segment dominated the market in 2025.
- By type, the passive infrared countermeasures segment in the market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2026 to 2035.
- By platform, the air segment dominated the market in 2025.
- By platform, the land segment is expected to grow at a notable rate from 2026 to 2035.
- By component, the laser systems segment dominated the market in 2025.
- By component, the decoy systems segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2026 to 2035.
- By application, the military segment dominated the infrared countermeasures system market in 2025.
- By application, the aerospace segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2026 to 2035.
Infrared Countermeasures System: Offering Precise and Multi-Function Solutions
The infrared countermeasures system market is accelerating due to its strong position as a multi-function system, world-beating performance, maximized platform protection, and cutting-edge technology. It has an immense potential for accurate threat detection, tracking, and minimal false alarms. The major market players, like Thales Group, are committed to delivering defensive aid systems across the globe that enable full integration with countermeasure effectors. These systems encompass smart features such as enhanced survivability, a field-ready open system, and more.
- In September 2025, Thales and HII partners announced their plan to develop advanced autonomous undersea mine countermeasure capabilities, aiming to deliver advanced autonomous mine detection, classification, and imaging. Electronic Warfare (EW) solutions aid in the detection, interpretation, control, or disruption of signals in the electromagnetic spectrum, like radar, radio, or infrared transmissions, to protect military assets from threats.
What are the benefits of AI in the Infrared Countermeasures System Market?
AI is greatly contributing to the aerospace industry, which is used across various functions, including aircraft design and development, aircraft testing and optimization, in-flight assistance, co-piloting, and more. AI is expanding the infrared countermeasures system market by playing a pivotal role in predictive maintenance, fuel efficiency, customer experiences, training, and factory automation. Furthermore, AI and ML impact aerospace and defense by impacting the increased safety and compliance, autonomous air traffic control, aircraft modeling and testing, generative AI, and coding.
Infrared Countermeasures System Market Trends
- Supply Chain Resilience: It is rising due to government regulations and measures to promote domestic production and the rising demand for thorough tracing of parts. The governments prioritize supply chains as tools for political and economic stability.
- Robust Collaborations: The leading industries are committed to making successful collaborations among suppliers, investors, governments, stakeholders, research institutions, and industry organizations. The organizations stay committed to maintaining sustainability, changing regulations, rising costs, and more through these collaborations.
Market Scope
| Report Coverage | Details |
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 9.59 Billion |
| Market Size in 2026 | USD 10.05 Billion |
| Market Size by 2035 | USD 15.36Billion |
| Market Growth Rate from 2026 to 2035 | CAGR of 4.82% |
| Dominating Region | North America |
| Fastest Growing Region | Asia Pacific |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 to 2035 |
| Segments Covered | Type, Platform, Component, Application and Region |
| Regions Covered | North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa |
Segmental Insights
Type Insights
How Does the Active Infrared Countermeasures Segment Dominate the Infrared Countermeasures System Market in 2025?
The active infrared countermeasures segment dominated the market in 2025, owing to the increased demand for active systems like Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM), laser-based systems, and airborne platforms. These systems are integrated with Missile Warning Systems (MWS) to enable detection, tracking, and jamming of a missile in a few seconds. These active systems, including common infrared countermeasures, create complex jam codes to reveal the advanced tracking algorithms.
The passive infrared countermeasures segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the infrared countermeasures system market during the forecast period due to the various applications of passive infrared sensors in home security systems, automatic lighting, smart-home automation, pet monitoring systems, and more. They are less cost-effective devices with wide applications for indoor and outdoor purposes. These devices can work better even in light and dark conditions.
Platform Insights
What Made Air the Dominant Segment in the Infrared Countermeasures System Market in 2025?
The air segment dominated the market in 2025, owing to the rapid automated response, multi-domain situational awareness, operational flexibility, and the integration of advanced defensive technologies. The aerial platforms are a safer and more efficient alternative to ladders and scaffolding, which are widely used by contractors. They have wide applications in construction, maintenance, electrical systems, lighting installation, and other industries.
The land segment is estimated to grow at the fastest rate in the infrared countermeasures system market during the predicted timeframe due to strategic and cost-effective mobility and support for multi-domain operations. The land platforms are important due to the urgent need for protecting personnel and ground vehicles from evolving threats like precision-guided missiles and drones. They are expanded due to major market players like BAE Systems, L3Harris Technologies, Elbit Systems, and Northrop Grumman, who are leading innovation in air defense systems and land-based infrared countermeasures.
Component Insights
How Did the Laser Systems Segment Dominate the Infrared Countermeasures System Market in 2025?
The laser systems segment dominated the market in 2025, owing to AI integration, quantum cascade lasers, and the growing trend of installing Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM). There is an increased utilization of AI-assisted targeting by systems to automate faster response and threat detection better than human pilots. The quantum cascade laser technology is crucial in industries due to low power consumption, compact size, and multi-wavelength capabilities.
The decoy systems segment is anticipated to grow at a notable rate in the infrared countermeasures system market during the upcoming period due to a shift towards towed decoys, AI-powered deployment, and the increased use of fiber-optic towed decoys. There is a notable increase in the use of AI in new electronic warfare to analyze missile vectors in real-time. Decoy flares are bundled with radar jammers and Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) to create soft-kill suites.
Application Insights
Why Did the Military Segment Dominate the Infrared Countermeasures System Market in 2025?
The military segment dominated the market in 2025, owing to the major applications of Infrared Countermeasure (IRCM) systems in airborne survival for high-value assets, protection for ground combat vehicles, maritime fleet security, and the expansion into unmanned systems. Moreover, the emerging technology trends like AI-driven autonomous response, miniaturization, and multi-spectral capabilities allow IRCM systems to perform real-time threat analysis. They also allow these systems to deploy countermeasures without pilot intervention.
The aerospace segment is predicted to grow at a rapid rate in the infrared countermeasures system market during the studied period due to the expansion of Infrared Countermeasure (IRCM) systems to multiple platforms, including military helicopters, large transport, refueling, and unmanned systems. The laser-based Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) are adopted to protect aircraft from heat-seeking missiles. There is a rapid deployment of Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) on over 1,500 platforms by the U.S. Army.
Regional Insights
How Big is the North America Infrared Countermeasures System Market Size?
The North America infrared countermeasures system market size is estimated at USD 4.03 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach approximately USD 6.53 billion by 2035, with a 4.94% CAGR from 2026 to 2035.
How Did North America Dominate the Infrared Countermeasures System Market in 2025?
North America dominated the market in 2025, owing to technological advancements in AI and ML for real-time threat analysis, a rapid shift towards high-precision Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) solutions, and military modernization. The aerospace and defense companies that are driving the infrared countermeasures system market are prioritizing workforce specialization, speed, and strategic proximity. This regional market is also driven by major government programs like the Navy's Dual Band Decoy and the U.S. Army's Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM).
What is the Size of the U.S. Infrared Countermeasures System Market?
The U.S. infrared countermeasures system market size is calculated at USD 3.02 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach nearly USD 4.93 billion in 2035, accelerating at a strong CAGR of 5.02% between 2026 and 2035.
U.S. Infrared Countermeasures System Market Analysis
The U.S. aerospace industry is modernizing due to space commercialization, defense modernization, and next-generation aviation technologies. According to the Aerospace Industries Association, the major export destinations for the U.S. aerospace and defense products are China, France, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Germany. These exports impact the global demand for American innovation and technology.
What Is the Potential of the Infrared Countermeasures System Market in the Asia Pacific?
Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period due to military modernization programs, advancements in threat technology, and the development of high-energy laser platforms. This region is expanding in the infrared countermeasures system market due to indigenous integration, the development of high-tech products, counter-drone innovation, and next-generation avionics. The Asian Pacific countries like Taiwan, China, India, and South Korea are increasingly investing in air defense systems, which are driven by technological advancements, regional security dynamics, and strategic considerations.
India Infrared Countermeasures System Market Trends
The Indian market is witnessing the modernization of airborne platforms and a shift towards indigenous development. India advances with a strong focus on developing domestic Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) solutions. India's air and missile defense has planned to develop an integrated air and missile defense system for the country, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the launch of Mission Sudarshan Chakra.
How Did Europe Hold a Noticeable Position in the Infrared Countermeasures System Market?
Europe is expected to grow at a notable rate in the market, owing to collaborative initiatives under the European Defense Fund (EDF) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to boost the development of multi-spectral Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM) solutions. Aerospace and defense industries of Europe have expanded in 2024, followed by their strong urge for long-term policy support, further expanding the infrared countermeasures system market. In December 2025, the European Commission signed a new series of grant agreements to support R&D projects that will target strategic priorities for the defense sector.
Germany Infrared Countermeasures System Market Analysis
The German market for infrared countermeasures systems is experiencing noteworthy progress due to the expansion of local industries, increased defense budgets, and technological integration of AI that enables faster threat detection. In July 2025, Germany planned to buy aircraft self-defense systems from Elbit Systems for a $260 million deal.
Who are the Major Players in the Global Infrared Countermeasures System Market?
The major players in the infrared countermeasures system market include Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Leonardo S.p.A., Elbit Systems, RTX Corporation, Thales Group, Saab AB, Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, Hensoldt
Recent Developments
- In January 2025, Thales planned to introduce advanced defense and aerospace innovations at Aero India 2025, which highlights its commitment towards the ‘Make in India' initiative.(Source: https://www.thalesgroup.com)
- In August 2025, L3HARRIS launched a counter-unmanned systems initiative to develop reliable and affordable best-of-breed solutions to rapidly fight against the growing threat of unmanned systems globally.(Source: https://www.l3harris.com)
Segments Covered in the Report
By Type
- Active Infrared Countermeasures
- Passive Infrared Countermeasures
- Hybrid Infrared Countermeasures
By Platform
- Land
- Air
- Naval
By Component
- Laser Systems
- Decoy Systems
- Electronics and Control Systems
- Software
By Application
- Aerospace
- Military
- Commercial Aviation
- Homeland Security
- Automotive
By Region
- North America
- Europe
- Asia-Pacific
- Latin America
- Middle East & Africa