Despite pressure on defence spending worldwide, military communications look set to remain central to defence procurement and investment in the coming years. Military communications are a vital part of all armed forces, and have grown in scope as technology has continued to advance.

Maintaining superior communications capability is paramount for both conventional and limited warfare operations, with an increased demand for real time information and interconnected troops. A new study available on ASDReports.com has determined that the size of the global military communications market in 2010 amounted to $15.91bn.

Military communications products range from satellites and space programmes, to hand held radios and smart phones. Utilising technology such as communications on the move, over the horizon, or beyond line of sight, communications products enable armed forces to remainboth cohesive and responsive during all stages of military campaigns and throughout varying environments.

Communications systems are installed on nearly all military hardware, and can be operated either manually, such as in the form of radios, or remotely, through unmanned platforms.

The emergence of COTS products is a reflection of the continued crossover between commercial and military research and development. COTS also serve reduce costs and to lessen the strain ongovernment defence budgets, as commercial solutions to military problems are sought.

The permeation of military communications throughout all defence operations and budgets means that although the US constitutes asubstantial proportion of the military communications market at present, there is a significant place within the market for both established European nations such as the UK, France, Germany and Italy; as well as other emerging nations such as China, India, and Middle Eastern and East Asian states.