Demand for counter-IED technology expected to decline

Global demand for aerospace and defense systems able to detect, map, and destroy improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is expected to decline over the next decade after hitting a peak of $7.7 billion in 2009, although the counter-IED market still will retain a high value because of the importance of dealing with roadside bombs and other kinds of IEDs, say analysts at market researcher Visiongain in London.

Demand for IEDs over the next decade will decline from the high levels of 2009 U.S. and allied withdrawal from Iraq and the imminent drawdown in Afghanistan, Visiongain analysts predict in the report, The Counter-IED Market 2010-2020: Systems and Technologies for Force Protection.

The U.S. has by far spent the most in counter-IED systems, and major Western-allied powers like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia have followed suit in investing heavily in counter-IED systems, Visiongain analysts say. Countries like India, which faces its own terrorist groups who are using increasing numbers of IEDs, also are likely to become key markets in the future, analysts say.

IEDs are responsible for thousands of deaths of military personnel and civilians. The U.S. and its allies have responded to the IED threat by spending billions of dollars on vehicles, equipment, personnel and training for counter-IED and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) missions.

Visiongain's report analyzes the global market for mine-resistant vehicles, electronic countermeasures mainly in jammers, IED detection equipment, and unmanned systems designed for counter-IED, as well as examines corporate announcements and news accounts, policy documents, reports of relevant contracts and original expert views from industry.