Evolving Technologies for Detecting, Monitoring, and Neutralizing IEDs

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) remain a major threat in modern conflicts, terrorism, and irregular warfare. They are often made from easily available materials and have caused heavy casualties and infrastructure damage worldwide. To address this danger, governments, defense forces, and private companies are investing heavily in counter-IED technologies. The global counter-IED market is valued at approximately USD 2.29 billion in 2026 and is projected to grow to USD 2.75 billion by 2031, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.73%. This growth is driven by rising defense budgets, global security tensions, and technological advancements that enhance surveillance, detection, and safe disposal of IEDs. Recent developments from 2023 to 2026 focus on AI and robotic systems that reduce risk to personnel while improving operational efficiency.

Advancements in IED Surveillance

Surveillance technologies are the first line of defense against IED threats, enabling proactive monitoring and threat identification in high-risk areas such as borders, urban environments, and critical infrastructure. There has been a clear shift toward AI-driven and integrated systems that provide real-time intelligence with minimal false positives.

Key trends include AI-based video systems that automatically detect suspicious behaviour and unusual activities. By 2026, these systems are widely used to identify unauthorized entry, loitering, and perimeter breaches while distinguishing normal activity from real threats. Edge computing processes data directly at the camera, reducing delays and enabling faster alerts. Tools such as motion sensors and environmental change detectors are now integrated into larger systems to identify potential IED placements, such as disturbed ground or abnormal vehicle movements.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ground systems have also evolved. Drones equipped with high-resolution imaging and AI navigation can scout hazardous areas, providing overhead views that complement ground-based sensors. In military operations, manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) combines platforms such as Apache helicopters with drones for comprehensive route clearance. NATO’s emphasis on open architectures has facilitated rapid technology refreshes, drawing lessons from conflicts like Ukraine to improve surveillance in dynamic environments.

Market-wise, unmanned systems accounted for 38% of surveillance tasks in 2025. Regions like Asia-Pacific, with a projected 5.05% CAGR through 2031, are investing heavily in Israeli radars and drone-based monitoring for border security.

Innovations in IED Detection

IED detection has advanced via multi-sensor fusion and AI, boosting accuracy and cutting false alarms. Traditional tools like ground-penetrating radar now merge with electro-optical, infrared cameras, and electromagnetic sensors. AI fusion can reduce false alarms by up to 30% (per DHS trials) and creates real-time threat maps for quicker, safer route clearance.

In 2024, the U.S. Navy advanced the JCREW system with AI to better detect radio-controlled IEDs and enable modular upgrades.

Portable and vehicle-mounted systems are widespread; sensor tech holds about 59% of the counter-IED market share in 2025. AI-powered screening portals handle up to 3,000 people hourly without staff intervention, analysing multi-sensor data to lift efficiency and lower errors. Tools like the Vidisco Guardian 12 X-ray system let teams safely check suspicious packages fast, with ongoing upgrades improving performance.

Electronic countermeasures, especially RF jammers, stay vital for blocking IED trigger signals. Gallium nitride tech boosts their power and range, though costs remain high. These integrate more with counter-drone systems to counter rising drone-delivered IED threats, as noted in UNMAS reports. Leaders like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon drive AI-based solutions and win major global defense contracts.

The IED detection segment shows strong growth, though overall counter-IED market estimates range from USD 1.4–2.4 billion in 2025 (various reports), with projections varying by scope.

The full counter-IED market—encompassing detection, countermeasures like jamming, neutralization tools such as robotics, training, and related systems—is valued at around USD 1.4–2.4 billion in 2025, with reports varying by scope (e.g., Mordor Intelligence at USD 2.21 billion, Global Market Insights near USD 2.35 billion, Future Market Insights at USD 2.4 billion, and lower estimates from IMARC or Business Research Company around USD 1.4–1.6 billion).

Differences arise from what each includes, like broader countermine or homeland security overlaps. The IED detection segment—focused on sensors, radars, AI fusion, and location tech—forms the largest portion, holding about 59.1% share per Mordor Intelligence, equating to roughly USD 1.3–1.4 billion within broader totals. Detection drives most spending due to preventive focus, while full counter-IED covers active defeat too; distinguishing these ensures accurate market interpretation amid evolving threats and tech investments.

Progress in IED Disposal and Neutralization

IED disposal technologies focus on minimizing human exposure through robotics and autonomous systems. The explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) equipment market is projected to reach USD 9.51 billion by 2032, growing at a 5.8% CAGR from 2024. Robotic platforms, with a 5.55% CAGR through 2031, are now central to neutralization tasks. Examples include Northrop Grumman’s AI-enabled EOD robots and L3Harris’ T7 systems, widely adopted in hazardous environments. Autonomous platforms such as the IAI RobDozer and Rheinmetall UGVs enable remote neutralization with high precision and integrate high-resolution imaging for safe operations.

Underwater disposal capabilities have also advanced, with robotic systems clearing legacy explosives in maritime environments, including WWII-era ordnance. UNMAS programs report neutralizing thousands of IEDs using rapid-response robotics, demonstrating the effectiveness of technology-assisted disposal. International events such as the 2025 EOD/IED & Countermine Symposium highlight autonomous neutralization from safe distances. Military guidance emphasizes caution when uploading sensitive EOD data to AI systems, reinforcing the need for secure technology integration.

UNMAS stands for the United Nations Mine Action Service. Established in 1997 within the UN Department of Peace Operations, it leads, coordinates, and implements efforts to reduce threats from landmines, explosive remnants of war (ERW), and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) worldwide. UNMAS supports peacekeeping, humanitarian access, and civilian safety in over 20 countries, focusing on clearance, risk education, standards development, and IED threat mitigation. Its 2024 Annual Report highlights rising concerns like armed groups’ use of vehicle-borne IEDs and drone-delivered devices in conflict zones (e.g., eastern DRC), stressing the need for integrated counter-drone and IED defenses to protect civilians, aid workers, and peacekeepers. Official site: unmas.org.

Key Disposal Technologies

 Future Outlook and Challenges

The counter-IED field is advancing quickly, fuelled by AI, robotics, and smart sensors. These innovations enhance early detection, real-time monitoring, and safe neutralization of threats.

However, adoption faces hurdles like high costs, data security risks, and challenges in managing radio frequencies in dense urban environments.

Drone-delivered IEDs are an escalating danger. Recent UNMAS reports note armed groups’ growing use of drone-delivered devices—alongside vehicle-borne IEDs—in conflict zones such as eastern DRC, targeting military and IDP camps. This trend, also documented in humanitarian contexts with hundreds of incidents affecting aid and health operations, underscores the urgent need to integrate counter-drone measures into broader IED defense strategies.

International collaboration remains essential. NATO leads through its Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Centre of Excellence (C-IED COE) in Madrid, offering multinational training, doctrine development, and courses to build capabilities, attack networks, defeat devices, and prepare forces.

To stay ahead of evolving threats, agencies should prioritize investment in integrated, predictive, AI-driven systems. Long-term success depends on sustained innovation, secure tech integration, and strong global partnerships to safeguard security forces and civilians.

Conclusion

Recent developments in surveillance, detection, and disposal of IEDs demonstrate a clear shift toward safer, smarter, and technology-driven countermeasures. AI, multi-sensor fusion, unmanned systems, and robotics have improved early threat detection, reduced false alarms, and minimized human risk during disposal operations. Rising defense budgets, global security challenges, and continuous innovation drive market growth.

Challenges remain, including high costs, data security, and operational complexity in urban areas. Moving forward, international cooperation, secure technology integration, and continued investment in predictive and integrated systems will be essential to stay ahead of evolving IED threats and ensure the protection of both security personnel and civilians.

References

• Mordor Intelligence. (2026). Counter-IED Market Size & Share Analysis – Growth Trends and Forecast (2026–2031). https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/counter-ied-market
• Consegic Business Intelligence. (2025). Explosive Ordnance Disposal Equipment Market Size & Trends Insights – 2032.
• L3Harris Technologies. (2023, May 30). L3Harris robots selected by Australian Defence Force to defeat IED threats [Press release].
• (2024, January 10). Navy sees IED and drone jamming as important use case for AI.
• S. Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). (2023–2024). Joint Counter Radio-Controlled IED Electronic Warfare (JCREW) program updates.
• United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). (2024). UNMAS 2024 Annual Report. Published 18 June 2025. Available at: https://www.unmas.org/en/unmas-2024-annual-report (PDF: https://www.unmas.org/sites/default/files/publications/unmas_2024_annual_report_fin_1.pdf).
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). (2025). Counter-IED training, open architecture initiatives, and EOD symposium proceedings. (See also C-IED COE site: https://www.ciedcoe.org/).
• Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). (2025, April 28). Unprecedented rise in global military expenditure as European and Middle East spending surges. https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2025/unprecedented-rise-global-military-expenditure-european-and-middle-east-spending-surges