PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1675152
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1675152
Defense drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, carry sensors, electronics, and weaponry for observation and tactical planning in defense scenarios.
Defense drones encompass various products, including fixed-wing systems, multirotor systems, and other specialized types. Fixed-wing systems, known as airplanes or planes, utilize wings to generate lift through forward airspeed, allowing sustained flight. These drones come in various ranges categorized as short, medium, and high-range models, each equipped with different payloads such as small, medium, and large drones. These defense drones serve multiple purposes including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (ISRT), as well as engagement in combat operations and various other applications within defense and security domains.
The defense drone market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides defense drone market statistics, including defense drone industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a defense drone market share, detailed defense drone market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the defense drone industry. This defense drone market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The defense drone market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $11.9 billion in 2024 to $12.83 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising security concerns, military modernization programs, border security and surveillance, counterterrorism operations, advancements in unmanned systems.
The defense drone market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $17.03 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to geopolitical tensions and threats, focus on maritime domain awareness, counter-drone technology development, military procurement programs, integration with command and control systems. Major trends in the forecast period include counter-drone technologies, dual-use applications, collaborations and alliances, regulatory framework development, environmental sustainability.
The increasing defense expenditure is anticipated to drive the growth of the defense drone market in the future. Defense expenditure encompasses all current and capital spending related to armed forces, including peacekeeping troops, defense ministries, and other government entities involved in defense initiatives, paramilitary forces, and military activities. Defense drones are widely utilized in military operations due to their flexibility, minimal crew requirements, and lower manufacturing and maintenance costs. For example, a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a Sweden-based independent organization focused on research in conflict, armaments, and disarmament, revealed that global defense expenditure rose by 0.7% in 2021, reaching $2,113 billion. Thus, the increase in defense expenditure is expected to drive demand for the defense drone market.
The growing commercial drone industry is projected to fuel the expansion of the defense drone market in the future. The commercial drone industry encompasses the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for business purposes, as opposed to personal or recreational use. The growth of the commercial drone market attracts significant investments, which in turn drive research and development that benefits advancements in defense drone technology. For instance, in May 2023, a survey conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), a UK government agency responsible for overseeing aviation safety and regulatory compliance, revealed that the percentage of drone users in the UK rose to 5% in 2023, up from 3% in 2021. Additionally, commercial deliveries using drones are anticipated to grow by 30% over the next ten years, compared to a 13% increase projected over the next five years. Consequently, the increasing commercial drone industry is expected to drive demand for the defense drone market.
The defense drone market witnesses intense focus on innovative technologies for enhanced capabilities. AquaAirX's launch of India's first AI-enabled amphibious drone in December 2023 and the Indian Navy's development of an Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV) showcase the market's inclination towards pioneering drone solutions for diverse defense applications.
Strategic collaborations in the defense drone market accelerate innovation, optimize resources, mitigate risks, and enhance capabilities, fostering industry growth and competitiveness. In November 2022, Dedrone and Johnson Controls PLC collaborated to deliver AI/ML-powered airspace security worldwide. Dedrone's software integrated into Johnson Controls' security offerings creates a comprehensive airspace security solution, safeguarding diverse environments globally.
In September 2023, Anduril Industries, a US-based defense company that specializes in autonomous systems, acquired Blue Force Technologies, for an undisclosed amount. Anduril's acquisition of Blue Force Technologies accelerates its expansion into autonomous systems for national security. The integration of Anduril's AI software, Lattice, into Blue Force's Fury autonomous air vehicle aligns with Anduril's strategy to enhance its suite of autonomous solutions for national security customers. blue force technologies is a US-based aerospace design and manufacturing company.
Major companies operating in the defense drone market include Raytheon Company, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus SE, General Dynamics Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems Plc., Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies, Inc., Leonardo S.p.A., Elbit System Ltd., Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Teledyne FLIR LLC, Saab Group, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., QinetiQ Group plc, FLIR Systems, Inc., Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc., Textron Systems, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., Insitu Inc., AeroVironment Inc.
North America was the largest region in the defense drone market share in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global defense drone market analysis during the forecast period. The regions covered in the defense drone market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the defense drone market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The defense drone market consists of sales of defense drones with components such as sensors, RF communications, antennas, control stations, imaging cameras, propulsion systems, altimeters and controllers. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Defense Drone Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on defense drone market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for defense drone ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The defense drone market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.