+67 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 85261000 were up 67% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€596.1 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat2.40 EUR billion
EU exports of CN 85261000 to countries outside the EU were worth €2.40 billion in 2025.
Eurostat1.16 EUR billion
Trade between EU member states in CN 85261000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.16 billion in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +67% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
- US employment in the core industry shifted -9% since 2020.
What this market covers
Radar sets fitted to aircraft for weather detection, surveillance, ground mapping and target tracking. Buyers are airlines, air forces and aircraft makers.
Typical segments
- Weather radar
- Surveillance radar
- Synthetic aperture radar
- Early warning radar
Who buys
- Air forces
- Airlines
- Aircraft manufacturers
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 434.2 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 178.0 EUR million |
| Israel | 88.8 EUR million |
| China | 85.1 EUR million |
| Taiwan | 36.0 EUR million |
| Korea, Republic of | 31.0 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €995.8 million of products under CN code 85261000 (Radar apparatus) from outside the EU in 2025. | 995.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 85261000 were up 67% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€596.1 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +67 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 85261000 to countries outside the EU were worth €2.40 billion in 2025. | 2.40 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 85261000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.16 billion in 2025. | 1.16 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 85261000 to the EU in 2025, with €434.2 million, or 44% of extra-EU imports. | 434.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 85261000 to the United States were €651.2 million in 2025. | 651.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 85261000 was €491.94 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 491.94 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 85261000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €1.10 billion. | 1.10 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 8,828 enterprises in NACE class C2651 (Manufacture of instruments and appliances for measuring, testing and navigation) in 2023. | 8,828 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2651 had net turnover of €95.40 billion in 2023. | 95.40 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2651 employed 390,399 people across the EU in 2023. | 390,399 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,487 private establishments in NAICS 334511 (Search, detection, navigation, guidance, aeronautical, and nautical system and instrument manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,487 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 334511 employed an average of 122,914 people in US private industry in 2025. | 122,914 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 334511 changed by -9% between 2020 (134,740 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -9 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 334511 was $135,164 in 2025. | 135,164 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
What the full report covers
- 1
Executive summary
The answer on two pages: size, growth and what drives it.
- 2
Market size and outlook
History, the current year and a five-year view with base, low and high cases.
- 3
Segments and regions
Splits by product, buyer and geography across the US, Europe and MEA.
- 4
Company profiles
The main players, how they compete and where they are investing.
- 5
Data and method
Every figure in Excel, with the sources and assumptions behind it.
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU airborne radar market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €995.8 million of goods under CN 85261000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €2.40 billion.
Where does the EU import airborne radar from?
United States from 1995 -> 2000) was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were United Kingdom, Israel, China.
What is the average import price of airborne radar in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €491.94 per kilogram for CN 85261000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most airborne radar?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Czechia.
How many US companies are in the airborne radar industry?
BLS counts 1,487 private establishments in NAICS 334511 (Search, detection, navigation, guidance, aeronautical, and nautical system and instrument manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the airborne radar industry?
Eurostat counts 8,828 enterprises in NACE class C2651 (Manufacture of instruments and appliances for measuring, testing and navigation).
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85261000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 995813148
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85261000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 596092379; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 995813148
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85261000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2399762367
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85261000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1156134468
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85261000, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 434165244
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85261000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 651230591
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85261000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 995813148, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 20243
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 85261000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1099104311
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2651, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 8828
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2651, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 95400
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2651, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 390399
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 334511, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334511, annual_avg_estabs 1487
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 334511, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334511, annual_avg_emplvl 122914
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 334511, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 134740; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 122914
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 334511, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334511, avg_annual_pay 135164
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