Drone Warfare Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2024-2032)
Emphasis on Capability (Platform, Services, Software, Ground Control Stations, and Drone Launch and Recovery System); Mode of Transportation (Semi-autonomous and Autonomous); Application (Combat, Delivery and Transportation, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, and Others); and Region/Country
Drone Warfare Market Size & Forecast
The Drone Warfare Market was valued at USD 11,292.83 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a robust CAGR of around 13.47% during the forecast period (2024-2032). Owing to increased use of drones in security & surveillance and the growing geopolitical tensions.
Drone Warfare Market Analysis
The drone warfare market has emerged rapidly in the last couple of years due to technological innovations and the increasing use of military drones in different fields. The market is highly unsaturated with drones that range from small inconspicuous drones to heavily engineered, large drones for military uses. Due to technological advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sensors, the capability of drones has improved in terms of efficiency, self-execution, and application. Further growth in this market is projected to remain steady due to a rising focus on research and development initiatives, together with expanding drone penetration into standard operations. The widespread adoption of drone technology has profound implications for various sectors. In the defense sector, drones provide critical capabilities for surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeted operations, enhancing national security. For instance, in March 2024, Taiwan acquired four additional MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones from the US to bolster its surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. General Atomics was awarded around USD 250 million to deliver the unmanned systems, along with two certifiable ground control stations, spare parts, and necessary support equipment.
Drone Warfare Market Trends
Swarm Technology and Collaborative Drone Operations
Swarm technology and collaborative drone operations are an emerging trend in drone warfare, involving multiple drones working together as a coordinated unit. This approach offers increased mission effectiveness, resilience against countermeasures, and potential to overwhelm defenses, often at a lower cost than individual high-end drones. Several countries such as China, United States, Turkey, Russia, and Israel have demonstrated swarm capabilities. For instance, in 2024, Chinese researchers have announced the creation of an innovative combat drone, presenting a new paradigm in warfare technology. Additionally, the United States, through DARPA’s OFFSET program, has been working on swarms of 250 or more drones for urban combat scenarios since 2017, and Turkey’s Kargu-2 drones, reportedly used in Libya in 2020, can operate in swarms to attack targets. As this technology matures, it’s likely to play an increasingly significant role in future conflicts.
North America Dominated the Drone Warfare Market
The North America drone warfare market currently dominates and is expected to dominate in the forecasted period. The drone warfare industry in North America especially the United States and Canada is growing rapidly due to the growing technological advancements in the drone. North America is the home to the world’s biggest drone manufacturers specializing in making military drones. Companies such as Northrop Grumman, General Atomics, BAE systems, and others have heavily invested in military drones. Moreover, governments in the region are flourishing favorable policies for the deployment of military drones to safeguard their borders. Moreover, collaboration between companies and governments is accelerating innovation in the military drone market in the region. Furthermore, the increasing defense budget in the region has grown which leads to allocating substantial funds in the drone space that enhances surveillance and reconnaissance.
For instance, in September 2022, Lockheed Martin invested USD 100 million of its own money to develop a sophisticated manned-unmanned teaming capability involving F-35 fighter jets and combat drones.
With the collaboration of Scaled Composites, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman, Northrop Grumman has unveiled a hybrid electric drone for military aviation missions. The drone is marked as a step for more sustainable aviation technologies in defense. The hybrid electric drones aim to deliver enhanced endurance and operational flexibility for the Department of Defense.
Drone Warfare Industry Overview
The drone warfare market is competitive and concentrated, with few global and international players. The key players are adopting different growth strategies to enhance their market presence, such as partnerships, agreements, collaborations, new product launches, geographical expansions, and mergers and acquisitions. Some major players operating in the market are Northrop Grumman Corporation, Boeing, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., General Atomics, Teledyne FLIR LLC, Airbus SE, Lockheed Martin Corporation, BAE Systems, and Elbit Systems Ltd.
Drone Warfare Market News
In June 2023, General Atomics unveiled the MQ-9B SkyGuardian, equipped with advanced combat capabilities, including precision-guided munitions and AI-powered targeting systems for enhanced operational effectiveness.
In 2023, Northrop Grumman managed to showcase the functions of the new X-47B unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) with smart AI-powered targeting systems and AI smart-enabled flight control. This demonstration proved that unmanned systems could effectively conduct dangerous operations with limited interference from humans.
In 2024, the Telangana police will deploy high-end surveillance drones in the state’s border regions as part of their effort to ramp up security in areas affected by insurgencies. These advanced drones were used mostly in the Line of Control (LOC) and the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The drones can cover an area with a radius of 25 km and are equipped with night-vision capabilities.
In May 2023, Airbus Defense and Space successfully conducted the flight tests of Eurodrone, a MALE UAV developed for performing ISR operations. This development is a pioneering achievement in Europe in terms of defense technology and can demonstrate the capabilities of domestic military UAVs.
Drone Warfare Market Report Coverage
Report Attribute | Details |
Base year | 2023 |
Forecast period | 2024-2032 |
Growth momentum | Accelerate at a CAGR of 13.47% |
Market size 2023 | USD 11,292.83 million |
Regional analysis | North America, Europe, APAC, Rest of the World |
Major contributing region | North America dominated the market in 2023 |
Key countries covered | The US, Canada, Germany, The UK, Spain, Italy, France, China, Japan, and India |
Companies profiled | Northrop Grumman Corporation, Boeing, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., General Atomics, Teledyne FLIR LLC, Airbus SE, Lockheed Martin Corporation, BAE Systems, and Elbit Systems Ltd. |
Report Scope | Market Trends, Drivers, and Restraints; Revenue Estimation and Forecast; Segmentation Analysis; Demand and Supply Side Analysis; Competitive Landscape; Company Profiling |
Segments Covered | By Capability, By Mode of Transportation, By Application, and By Region/Country |
Reasons to buy this report:
- The study includes market sizing and forecasting analysis validated by authenticated key industry experts.
- The report presents a quick review of overall industry performance at one glance.
- The report covers an in-depth analysis of prominent industry peers with a primary focus on key business financials, product portfolios, expansion strategies, and recent developments.
- Detailed examination of drivers, restraints, key trends, and opportunities prevailing in the industry.
The study comprehensively covers the market across different segments.
- Deep dive regional level analysis of the industry.
Customization Options:
The global drone warfare market can further be customized as per the requirement or any other market segment. Besides this, UMI understands that you may have your own business needs, hence feel free to contact us to get a report that completely suits your requirements.
Table of Contents
Research Methodology for the Drone Warfare Market Analysis (2024-2032)
Analyzing the historical market, estimating the current market, and forecasting the future market of the global drone warfare market were the three major steps undertaken to create and analyze the adoption of drone warfare in major regions globally. Exhaustive secondary research was conducted to collect the historical market numbers and estimate the current market size. Secondly, to validate these insights, numerous findings and assumptions were taken into consideration. Moreover, exhaustive primary interviews were also conducted, with industry experts across the value chain of the global drone warfare market. Post assumption and validation of market numbers through primary interviews, we employed a top-down/bottom-up approach to forecasting the complete market size. Thereafter, market breakdown and data triangulation methods were adopted to estimate and analyze the market size of segments and sub-segments of the industry pertains to. Detailed methodology is explained below:
Analysis of Historical Market Size
Step 1: In-Depth Study of Secondary Sources:
Detail secondary study was conducted to obtain the historical market size of the drone warfare market through company internal sources such as annual reports & financial statements, performance presentations, press releases, etc., and external sources including journals, news & articles, government publications, competitor publications, sector reports, third-party database, and other credible publications.
Step 2: Market Segmentation:
After obtaining the historical market size of the drone warfare market, we conducted a detailed secondary analysis to gather historical market insights and share for different segments & sub-segments for major regions. Major segments included in the report are capability, mode of transportation, and application. Further country-level analyses were conducted to evaluate the overall adoption of testing models in that region.
Step 3: Factor Analysis:
After acquiring the historical market size of different segments and sub-segments, we conducted a detailed factor analysis to estimate the current market size of the drone warfare market. Further, we conducted factor analysis using dependent and independent variables such as the capability, mode of transportation, and application of the drone warfare market. A thorough analysis was conducted for demand and supply-side scenarios considering top partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, business expansion, and product launches in the drone warfare market sector across the globe.
Current Market Size Estimate & Forecast
Current Market Sizing: Based on actionable insights from the above 3 steps, we arrived at the current market size, key players in the global drone warfare market, and market shares of the segments. All the required percentage shares split, and market breakdowns were determined using the above-mentioned secondary approach and were verified through primary interviews.
Estimation & Forecasting: For market estimation and forecast, weights were assigned to different factors including drivers & trends, restraints, and opportunities available for the stakeholders. After analyzing these factors, relevant forecasting techniques i.e., the top-down/bottom-up approach were applied to arrive at the market forecast for 2032 for different segments and sub-segments across the major markets globally. The research methodology adopted to estimate the market size encompasses:
- The industry’s market size, in terms of revenue (USD) and the adoption rate of the drone warfare market across the major markets domestically
- All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns of market segments and sub-segments
- Key players in the global drone warfare market in terms of products offered. Also, the growth strategies adopted by these players to compete in the fast-growing market.
Market Size and Share Validation
Primary Research: In-depth interviews were conducted with the Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) including Top Level Executives (CXO/VPs, Sales Head, Marketing Head, Operational Head, Regional Head, Country Head, etc.) across major regions. Primary research findings were then summarized, and statistical analysis was performed to prove the stated hypothesis. Inputs from primary research were consolidated with secondary findings, hence turning information into actionable insights.
Split of Primary Participants in Different Regions
Market Engineering
The data triangulation technique was employed to complete the overall market estimation and to arrive at precise statistical numbers for each segment and sub-segment of the global drone warfare market. Data was split into several segments & sub-segments post studying various parameters and trends in the areas of the capability, mode of transportation, and application in the global drone warfare market.
The main objective of the Global Drone Warfare Market Study
The current & future market trends of the global drone warfare market were pinpointed in the study. Investors can gain strategic insights to base their discretion for investments on the qualitative and quantitative analysis performed in the study. Current and future market trends determined the overall attractiveness of the market at a regional level, providing a platform for the industrial participant to exploit the untapped market to benefit from a first-mover advantage. Other quantitative goals of the studies include:
- Analyze the current and forecast market size of the drone warfare market in terms of value (USD). Also, analyze the current and forecast market size of different segments and sub-segments.
- Segments in the study include areas of capability, mode of transportation, and application.
- Define and analysis of the regulatory framework for the drone warfare
- Analyze the value chain involved with the presence of various intermediaries, along with analyzing customer and competitor behaviors of the industry.
- Analyze the current and forecast market size of the drone warfare market for the major region.
- Major countries of regions studied in the report include Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Rest of the World
- Company profiles of the drone warfare market and the growth strategies adopted by the market players to sustain in the fast-growing market.
- Deep dive regional level analysis of the industry
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
Q1: What is the current market size and growth potential of the drone warfare market?
Q2: What are the driving factors for the growth of the drone warfare market?
Q3: Which segment has the largest drone warfare market share by Capability?
Q4: What are the emerging technologies and trends in the drone warfare market?
Q5: Which region will dominate the drone warfare market?
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