Private 5G and 4G LTE cellular networks – also referred to as NPNs (Non-Public Networks) in 3GPP terminology – are rapidly gaining popularity across a diverse range of vertical industries. The defense industry is no exception to this trend and will see global spending on dedicated cellular networks grow at a CAGR of 21% over the next three years. Estimated to account for nearly $1.5 Billion in cumulative infrastructure spending between 2024 and 2027, private cellular networks in the defense sector extend from permanent 5G networks at military bases and training facilities to satellite-backhauled portable cellular systems for warfighters at the tactical edge. Some notable examples of operational deployments and ongoing projects are listed below:

- The U.S. DOD (Department of Defense) has recently published its strategy for deploying Open RAN-compliant private 5G networks at military installations in the United States and overseas territories. Several U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force bases already host on-premise 5G infrastructure for both experimental and operational use. 

- The Spanish Army and Navy have awarded multiple contracts – collectively worth $15 Million – to mobile operator Telefónica to supply standalone private 5G networks for army brigades on the move, armored systems and helicopter maintenance parks, naval bases, ships and marine infantry units.

- As part of the ZNV (Deployable Cellular Networks) program, the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) have adopted a rapidly deployable cellular network solution to replace their legacy Tetrapol trunked radio system.

- The Norwegian Armed Forces are utilizing a combination of defense-specific 5G network slices sourced as a managed service from commercial mobile operators and tactical private 5G networks to support their future mobile communications needs.

- The Jordanian Armed Forces and Ministry of Interior are jointly investing over $10 Million to deploy a hybrid TETRA-LTE communications system to support both narrowband voice and broadband data applications. 

- As part of the Qatar MoD's (Ministry of Defense) LTE-5G program, the Signals Corps of the Gulf country's armed forces has deployed a nationwide wireless network for mission-critical communications.

- The ADF (Australian Defence Force) relies on private LTE and 5G-ready networks to support wireless broadband communications for live and synthetic military training environments.

- The South Korean military is leveraging private 5G installations for smart naval base operations, runway safety management and XR (Extended Reality)-based training, including small unit tactics and firearm disassembly/assembly-related education.

- The Japanese Ministry of Defense plans to deploy local 5G networks across JSDF (Japan Self-Defense Forces) military installations to digitize rear-area operations, such as base security, and reduce the burden on personnel.

- The Brazilian Army and state-level military police forces have installed private LTE infrastructure in strategic locations to facilitate high-availability and reliable broadband communications.  

The "Private 5G/4G Cellular Networks for Defense: 2024 – 2030" research package provides detailed market analysis and forecasts for private 5G and LTE networks across 16 vertical industries, including defense. The package includes the full edition of SNS Telecom & IT's "Private LTE & 5G Network Ecosystem: 2024 – 2030 – Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies, Industry Verticals & Forecasts" report and a datasheet with additional private 5G/4G infrastructure investment forecasts for the defense sector.