Barret Communications provides the PRC-2080+ VHF radio system used by a number of militaries. Credit: Barret Communications

Motorola Solutions has moved to acquire Barrett Communications, a provider of specialised and tactical radio communications operated by users in the security, coast guard, government, and private sectors, with the terms of the deal not disclosed.

Announcing the move on 15 August, Motorola said that the deal “reaffirms [the company’s] commitment” to expanding its portfolio in mission-critical communications, further extending into the Asia-Pacific sector with the acquisition of Australia-based Barrett Communications.

Barrett Communications designs high frequency (HF) and very high frequency (VHF) radio systems, intended to provide immediate communications capability without the need for infrastructure, lending it to support roles in security and peacekeeping operations, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster recovery, so-called HADR, operations.

“Barrett brings us a new portfolio of communications capabilities beyond traditional land mobile radio, allowing us to support highly specialised operations,” said Mark Schmidl, senior vice president, International Sales, Motorola Solutions.

Andrew Burt, CEO of Barrett Communications, said the deal would help extend “critical voice communications to support essential operations, humanitarian work and disaster response and recovery”.

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Man-portable tactical communications growth positive

According to a GlobalData report into the global tactical communications market, which was valued at $16.7bn in 2023, the sector was projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% from 2023-2033. The sector was expected to reach a value of $25.2bn by 2033 and cumulatively value $221.0bn over the forecast period.

The tactical communications market consists of three categories: man-portable, platform-based, and stationary. GlobalData analysis states that the market is expected to be dominated by the platform-based segment, which accounts for 74.2% of the market, followed by man-portable segment with 16.7% share.

Among geographic segments, North America is projected to dominate the sector with a share of 40.9%, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific, with shares of 28.9% and 22.5%, respectively.