Paris, France | September 2026 — The global defense satellite communications (Satcom) market is entering a period of unprecedented transformation and rapid expansion, according to the newly released Satellite Communications for Defense and Security, 2nd Edition report from market intelligence firm Novaspace. As modern armed forces increasingly prioritize tactical mobility, enhanced situational awareness, and robust network resilience in an increasingly contested geopolitical landscape, commercial satellite services are cementing their role as a fundamental backbone of contemporary military architectures.
Market projections detailed in the comprehensive Novaspace study indicate that commercial satellite service revenues dedicated to defense applications are poised to exceed $22.6 billion globally by the year 2035. Concurrently, worldwide defense Satcom demand is forecast to skyrocket, surpassing a remarkable 7.5 terabits per second (Tbps). This massive upward trajectory in both capacity requirements and financial investment is being actively spearheaded by the widespread military adoption and integration of next-generation non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite constellations.
In today’s rapidly evolving operational environments, defense organizations worldwide are fundamentally rethinking how they communicate, share intelligence, and coordinate forces. Traditional military communication networks, which historically relied heavily on single-orbit or heavily centralized architectures, are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated electronic warfare, jamming, kinetic attacks, and cyber disruptions. As a result, military planners are aggressively shifting toward distributed, multi-orbit connectivity strategies designed to ensure uninterrupted mission-critical communications even under severe operational duress.
"The growing adoption of distributed satcom architectures is rapidly enhancing military satcom resilience against disruption, jamming, and kinetic attacks," notes Santiago Perez, Senior Manager at Novaspace. "As defense users increasingly adopt multi-orbit connectivity strategies, NGSO constellations will play a pivotal role in delivering the capacity, low latency, and resilience required for future military operations."
The shift toward non-geostationary orbits represents a dramatic evolution in how defense forces consume space-based bandwidth. According to Novaspace’s data, NGSO service revenues alone are expected to surge to an impressive $21.3 billion by 2035, underpinned by a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34%. This explosive growth reflects the unique operational advantages that low-Earth orbit (LEO) and medium-Earth orbit (MEO) systems provide, including ultra-low latency, high data throughput, and spatial diversity that makes targeted disruption significantly more difficult for adversaries.
However, the rapid ascent of NGSO systems does not spell the immediate obsolescence of traditional geostationary orbit (GEO) capabilities. While GEO defense service revenues are projected to experience a steady decline from $2.3 billion in 2025 to $1.3 billion in 2035, the actual demand for GEO capacity is forecast to triple over the same timeframe. This counterintuitive trend underscores the enduring strategic importance of GEO assets within sophisticated, hybrid, multi-orbit networks. Military forces are not abandoning GEO entirely; rather, they are leveraging GEO for wide-beam, high-availability baseline coverage while utilizing NGSO networks for high-capacity, low-latency tactical data transfers, creating a complementary and mutually reinforcing communications ecosystem.
Geographically, the United States is expected to maintain its position as the dominant force in the global defense Satcom landscape through 2035. American military procurement and demand are projected to account for more than 50% of worldwide demand and approximately 48% of total global revenues. Following the United States, China is projected to secure the second position, representing roughly 30% of global defense Satcom demand and revenues. These figures highlight the central, indispensable role that advanced satellite communications play in the broader military modernization, command-and-control enhancement, and power-projection efforts of the world’s leading military superpowers.
This heavy reliance by major global powers reflects a broader, philosophical shift in defense procurement and strategic planning. Satellite communications are no longer viewed merely as a supportive utility or an afterthought for deployed forces; they are the nervous system of modern net-centric warfare.
"What we’re witnessing is not simply a shift in satellite capacity demand. This is a fundamental evolution in military communications," adds Perez. "Multi-orbit connectivity is becoming the foundation of modern defense networks and will shape procurement, operations, and strategic planning for years to come."
About the Report
Novaspace’s Satellite Communications for Defense and Security, 2nd Edition delivers a comprehensive analysis of the military Satcom market, examining key industry trends and the evolving balance between supply and demand for broadband satellite communications. The report provides detailed qualitative and quantitative insights by region, military force, orbit, and frequency band, alongside profiles of the leading commercial satellite systems supporting defense and security operations.
About Novaspace
Novaspace is the leading independent consulting and market intelligence firm dedicated to the global space sector. Leveraging over 40 years of industry expertise, the company supports public and private stakeholders across the entire space value chain with high-impact, data-driven advisory services, combining management and technology consulting, market intelligence, and executive summits to help organizations navigate complexity, manage risk, and capture growth opportunities.
Trusted by more than 1,200 clients in over 60 countries, Novaspace operates globally with offices in Bangalore, Brussels, London, Montreal, Munich, Paris, São Paulo, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toulouse, and Washington, D.C.
Visit nova.space for more information.
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