Global Military Drones Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2030

Global Military Drones Market, By Platform (Strategic, Tactical, Small), Speed (Subsonic, Supersonic), Service Type (Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, Hybrid/Transitional), Propulsion Type (Hybrid Fuel Cell, Battery Powered,  Others), Launching Mode (Catapult Launcher, Automatic Take-Off and Landing, Hand Launched, Vertical Take-Off), Range (Beyond Line Of Sight (BLOS), Extended Visual Line Of Sight (EVLOS), Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS)), Application (Reconnaissance, Surveillance & Target Acquisition (ISRT), Intelligence, Combat Operations, Delivery and Transportation, and Battle Damage Management), Endurance (>6 Hours, 2–6 Hours, and 150 Kilograms, 25–150 Kilograms, and

Military Drones Market Analysis and Insights

The global military drones market is a significant and dynamic segment of the semiconductor industry. Military drones play a crucial role in modern warfare by providing strategic, tactical advantage with subsonic speed, and are used in a wide range of applications like reconnaissance, surveillance & target acquisition (ISRT), intelligence gathering, combat operations, and delivery and transportation.

Data Bridge Market Research analyzes that the the global military drones market is expected to reach USD 34,457.24 million by 2030 from USD 11,933.75 million in 2022 growing with a substantial CAGR of 14.3% in the forecast period of 2023 to 2030.

Market Definition

The global market for military drones encompasses the production, distribution, and utilization of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones specifically designed and employed by military and defense organizations worldwide. These advanced technological systems play a critical role in enhancing national security, safeguarding borders, and addressing various security and terrorism-related challenges. Military drones are characterized by their autonomous or remotely piloted operation, and they serve as force multipliers for modern armed forces.

Global Military Drones Market Dynamics

This section deals with understanding the market drivers, advantages, opportunities, restraints, and challenges. All of this is discussed in detail below:    

Driver

• Increasing Government Spending in Defense and Military Sector

Increasing government spending in the defense and military sector plays a pivotal role in driving the global military drones market. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, have evolved into indispensable tools in modern warfare, serving a wide array of critical military functions. Here's how the rise in government defense spending is expected to drive the global military drones market.

Restraint

• High cost associated with advanced military drones

The global military drones market has witnessed remarkable growth and innovation over the past decade. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, have become indispensable tools for modern armed forces, offering a wide range of capabilities, from surveillance and reconnaissance to precision strikes. However, while the potential benefits of military drones are undeniable, the high costs associated with advanced models have emerged as a significant restraint

Opportunity

• Increasing Collaboration and Partnership among Market Players

The global military drone market has witnessed exponential growth in recent years, driven by the increasing need for advanced surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike capabilities. One significant trend that is shaping the industry's landscape is the rise in collaboration and partnerships among market players. This evolving dynamic presents a promising opportunity for the military drone market to further expand its reach and capabilities.

Challenge

• Lack Of Highly Skilled Drone Operators

The global military drones market has experienced substantial growth in recent years, fueled by the increasing demand for unmanned aerial systems in various defense and security applications. However, this growing industry is not without its challenges. One significant challenge faced by the global military drones market is the shortage of highly skilled drone operators.

Recent Developments

• In February 2023, Boeing announced that its MQ-28 drone could be a promising addition to the U.S. Air Force's arsenal. This development marks a significant stride for the aerospace giant, opening up new avenues for growth and collaboration in the defense sector. Boeing's MQ-28 drone is well-positioned to meet the Air Force's evolving needs, showcasing the company's commitment to innovation and its ability to adapt to changing military requirements. This announcement has boosted Boeing's profile in the defense industry, potentially leading to lucrative contracts and further cementing its status as a key player in military technology.
• In March 2023, Northrop Grumman Corporation teamed up with Shield AI and secured a significant opportunity as they were selected by the U.S. Army to partake in the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) competition, Increment 2. This collaboration positions them as contenders to replace the RQ-7B Shadow tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS). This launch marks a pivotal moment for Northrop Grumman and Shield AI, offering them a chance to demonstrate their cutting-edge technology and expertise in the defense sector, potentially leading to lucrative contracts and advancements in unmanned aerial systems, strengthening their foothold in the defense industry.

Global Military Drones Market Scope

The global military drones market is segmented into nine notable segments which are on the basis of platform, speed, service type, propulsion type, launching mode, range, application, endurance, and MTOW. The growth among segments helps you analyze niche pockets of growth and strategies to approach the market and determine your core application areas and the difference in your target markets.

Platform

• Small
• Tactical
• Strategic

On the basis of platform, the market is segmented into strategic, tactical, and small.

Speed

• Subsonic
• Supersonic

On the basis of speed, the market is segmented into subsonic and supersonic.

Service Type

• Rotary Wing
• Fixed Wing
• Hybrid/Transitional

On the basis of service type, the market is segmented into fixed wing, rotary wing, and hybrid/transitional.

Propulsion Type

• Fuel Cell
• Hybrid Cell
• Battery Powered

On the basis of propulsion type, the market is segmented into hybrid fuel cell, battery powered, and others.

Launching Mode

• Automatic Take-Off And Landing
• Catapult Launcher
• Hand Launched
• Vertical Take-Off

On the basis of launching mode, the market is segmented into catapult launcher, automatic take-off and landing, hand launched, and vertical take-off.

Range

• Extended Visual Line Of Sight (EVLOS)
• Beyond Line Of Sight (BLOS)
• Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS)

On the basis of range, the market has been segmented into beyond line of sight (BLOS), extended visual line of sight (EVLOS), and visual line of sight (VLOS).

Application

• Combat Operations
• Intelligence
• Reconnaissanc, Surveillance & Target Acquisition (ISRT)
• Battle Damage Management
• Delivery And Transportation

On the basis of application, the market has been segmented into reconnaissance, surveillance & target acquisition (ISRT), intelligence, combat operations, delivery and transportation, and battle damage management.

Endurance

• <1–2 Hours
• 2–6 Hours
• >6 Hours

On the basis of endurance, the market has been segmented into >6 hours, 2–6 hours, and <1–2 hours.

MTOW

• <25 Kilograms
• 25–150 Kilograms
• >150 Kilograms

On the basis of MTOW, the market has been segmented into >150 Kilograms, 25–150 Kilograms, and <25 Kilograms.

Global Military Drones Market  Region Analysis/Insights

The global military drones market is segmented into nine notable segments which are on the basis of platform, speed, service type, propulsion type, launching mode, range, application, endurance, and MTOW.   

The countries covered in this market report are U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, U.K., Russia, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Turkey, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Rest of Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia & New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Israel, South Africa, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Rest of Middle East and Africa.

U.S. is dominating in North America, as the dominant force in the global military drone market, primarily due to its robust technological infrastructure, a thriving ecosystem of drone manufacturers, and favorable regulatory frameworks. U.K is dominating in Europe due to strong presence in both the commercia and defense drone sectors, along with extensive research and development activities, positions Europe at the forefront of drone innovation and adoption. China is dominating in Asia-Pacific due to increasing demand for UAVS for combat missions.    

The country section of the report also provides individual market-impacting factors and changes in regulation in the market domestically that impact the current and future trends of the market. Data points such as new sales, replacement sales, country demographics, regulatory acts, and import-export tariffs are some of the major pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, and the impact of sales channels are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.

Competitive Landscape and Global Military Drones Market Share Analysis

The global military drones market competitive landscape provides details of competitors. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in R&D, new market initiatives, production sites and facilities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product approvals, product width and breadth, application dominance, and product type lifeline curve. The above data points provided are only related to the company’s focus on the market.

Some of the major market players operating in the global military drones market are SAFRAN, General Atomics, IAI, LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION, AeroVironment Inc., Textron Inc., Teledyne FLIR LLC, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, AERONAUTICS, Boeing, Thales, Leonardo S.p.A., Elbit Systems Ltd, SAAB and among others.