Effective, secure and reliable communication systems constitute the backbone for controlling and connecting various naval platforms in routine intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, as well as during intense military engagements at sea.

With network-centric operations becoming increasingly important, navies require advanced and more robust communication systems to ensure stable, interoperable, jam-resistant and encrypted information exchange between military platforms in different physical environments, from submarine to surface, land, air and space, and between joint and coalition forces.

Finding the best military communication equipment and systems for the naval industry Naval Technology has listed some of the leading naval communication systems and equipment suppliers based on its intel, insights, and decades-long experience in the sector.

The list includes companies providing cost-efficient integrated communication systems (ICS) for vessels ranging from small patrol boats to large warships and aircraft carriers, as well as those specialised in communications systems engineering, equipment development, integration, configuration, control and monitoring solutions for naval applications.

The information contained within the download document is useful for naval warfare strategists, mission commanders, senior procurement executives, naval defence planners, system integrators, maintenance supervisors, and any other individual involved in the acquisition, operation and maintenance of naval communication systems and equipment.

The download contains detailed information on the contractors and their product and service lines, alongside contact details to aid your purchasing or hiring decision. Related Buyer’s Guides covering an extensive range of the latest naval technology can also be found here.

Types of naval communication systems and equipment

Military communication systems and equipment used by navies include, but are not limited to:

  • High-frequency (HF), very high frequency (VHF) and ultra-high frequency (UHF) tactical communications systems
  • Underwater acoustic and optical communication systems
  • HF, VHF and UHF satellite communications (SATCOM) radios, modems and encryption devices
  • HF transceivers, transmitters, receivers and antenna tuning units (ATUs)
  • Wideband receiving multi-couplers and narrowband tuner digitisers
  • Digital modular radios (DMRs)
  • Software-defined radios (SDRs) and laser transmitters
  • Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switching for data, voice, and video communication
  • Digital audio and data distribution systems for internal and external communications
  • Fibre-optic cables, telephone, and public address systems
  • Digital communication switches and wireless subscriber stations
  • Shipboard radio station equipment and signal generation, processing and display hardware including rugged military-grade LCD monitors, and
  • Cloud-enabled communication systems

With armed forces increasingly adopting asymmetric warfare strategies and modern networking capabilities, the global tactical communication market is expected to grow by more than 3% a year between 2022 and 2031, according to GlobalData’s estimates.

Meanwhile, the integration of advanced technologies such as digital sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) networking, quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics, in the face of the growing threats of cyber and electronic warfare attacks, could have a transformative impact on military communications.