The global Small UAV Market was valued at USD 25.01 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 54.93 billion by 2029, with an annual rate of 17.04% during the forecast period.
Small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are portable drones that are operated remotely by a pilot or onboard computer or controlled autonomously from a ground control station without transporting people. UAVs are made of lightweight composite materials that increase mobility and reduce weight during flight. It can be equipped with a variety of additional equipment, such as cameras, a global positioning system (GPS), GPS-guided missiles, navigation systems, sensors, etc.
Small drones are no longer considered advanced military tools for basic surveillance or hobby photography tools so that they can be accommodated in numerous industries. Drones are used in a variety of applications, including search and rescue operations, law enforcement, crop monitoring, and evaluating damaged assets. In addition, drone delivery services for retail stores and air taxis for travelers are one of the other facilities expected to be explored in the coming years.
One of the primary growth factors for the small UAV industry is the high return on investment due to a wide range of applications. As technology advances, this vehicle is modified according to the requirements and is used to perform various works. The market is booming in a relatively short time, as government policies on the adoption of drones increase in several areas. It is a robust device that can support your business profitably with a variety of applications, from firefighting to agriculture.
Due to the variety of useful applications such as monitoring, mapping, and remote surveillance worldwide, many capital investments and the creation of a beneficial environment for the organization to take advantage of drones have become a means of innovation increasing the usage. In addition, the low operating costs and the information collected through the UAV are some of the notable factors that are expected to promote market growth during the forecast period. The increase in the acquisition of small drones by global defense forces is one of the most important factors expected to boost the growth of the small UAV market.
While anticipating and integrating technological advances, organizations are expected to face the challenge of extensive regulatory compliance while maintaining the same level of security, privacy and noise as drone operations. It is also necessary to close the relevant knowledge gap that will serve as a bridge between manufacturers and potential users to operate UAVs in the coming years. These factors are supposed to hamper market growth during the forecast period.
REPORT METRIC |
DETAILS |
Market Size Available |
2023 to 2029 |
Base Year |
2023 |
Forecast Period |
2024 to 2029 |
CAGR |
17.04% |
Segments Covered |
By Size, Type, Power Source, Application, and Region |
Various Analyses Covered |
Global, Regional & Country Level Analysis, Segment-Level Analysis, DROC, PESTLE Analysis, Porter’s Five Forces Analysis, Competitive Landscape, Analyst Overview on Investment Opportunities |
Regions Covered |
North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, Middle East & Africa |
Market Leaders Profiled |
Boeing, 3D Robotics, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd, Airbus Group, Elbit Systems, EHang, DJI, Parrot, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, AeroVironment Inc, and Textron Inc. |
Based on the type, the rotating wing segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, attributing to high demand from the defense sector for surveillance and reconnaissance applications.
Depending on the application, the civil and commercial sector of the market is anticipated to grow at the most substantial CAGR. The increasing demands in end-user verticals like agriculture, logistics, retail, and others are likely to promote the commercial segment in the coming years in the small UAV business.
Globally, the North America small UAV market holds a prominent position in the global trade and is foreseen to grow even more due to the largest drone exporters in the United States. Also, it is estimated that increased spending on war-to-war surveillance missions in US military applications and the integration of technology and other mission applications will increase market share in North America.
The Asia-Pacific small UAV market is expected to be the second-largest market in the worldwide marketplace and will expand with the highest annual growth rate during the forecast period. This may be due to the increasing popularity of these vehicles, the more significant development of technology and changes in UAV regulations in the area.
The European small UAV market is expected to show high adoption rates in various industries, complying with the strict regulations related to the commercial use of these drones in the area. The United Kingdom is projected to register the highest CAGR in the European industry in the foreseen period.
Key players in the market are Boeing, 3D Robotics, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd, Airbus Group, Elbit Systems, EHang, DJI, Parrot, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, AeroVironment Inc and Textron Inc.
DJI has announced a completely new smart controller for popular drones with integrated displays. The controller runs the interface based on the Android platform, which supports DJI GO 4 and Pilot applications, as well as several third-party video editing programs.
June 2019: Virginia-based aerospace and defense technology company Northrop Grumman Corporation announced that it has successfully signed a contract with the US Navy with the Australian Defense Force (ADF).
Northrop will be able to manufacture and supply three UAV LRIP Lot 5 MQ-4C Triton to the United States Navy. The MQ-4C Triton UAV is based on the United States Air Force RQ-4B Global Hawk and continues to use multiple sensors to provide maritime ISR functionality.
By Size
By Type
By Power Source
By Application
By Region
Frequently Asked Questions
Small UAVs are used in various applications including aerial photography and videography, agriculture (precision farming), surveillance and security, disaster management, environmental monitoring, and delivery services.
Key factors include technological advancements in UAV systems, increasing adoption in commercial sectors, growing use in military and defense applications, and regulatory support for UAV operations in many countries.
The regulatory environment is crucial as it dictates where and how UAVs can be used. In regions like the US and Europe, regulations by the FAA and EASA respectively have been pivotal in shaping market growth. However, stringent regulations can also hinder market expansion.
Technological trends include advancements in battery life and propulsion systems, integration of AI and machine learning for autonomous operations, development of BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) capabilities, and improvements in sensor and camera technologies.
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