LONDON -- The man portable military electronics market will reach $3.1 billion in 2014, a new research report says. Visiongain says significant investment in the sector in recent decades has led to a boom, particularly due to US and allied forces in operations in the Middle East and Central Asia.

"Man portable military electronics are now viewed as crucial military equipment," the firm said. "Their role is as a force multiplier, providing direct link communications and advanced situational awareness to armed forces. Technological advances in both miniaturisation and telecommunications mean that in recent years the possibility of providing advanced battlefield awareness and connectivity to the dismounted warfighter has dramatically increased."