Global Drone Market Overview, 2023-28

In the 21st century, the world has witnessed a technological revolution that has reshaped industries across the board. Among the most transformative innovations is the advent of drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Initially developed for military applications, drones have transcended their origins and are now an integral part of various sectors, driving the global drone industry to new heights. The concept of unmanned flight dates back to the mid-19th century, but it wasn't until the 20th century that drones as we know them today started to take shape. During World War I, the development of radio-controlled aircraft for target practice marked an early milestone. Subsequently, World War II saw significant advancements in drone technology, with the use of remotely piloted aircraft for reconnaissance and even combat operations. The real turning point for drones came with the advent of digital technology, which led to the creation of sophisticated and versatile UAVs. In the 21st century, drones have evolved rapidly, becoming more accessible and affordable for various applications, and transitioning from military to civilian use. The global drone industry is now in full bloom, with rapid growth and adoption across numerous sectors. Drone technology has leaped forward, with improvements in battery life, automation, obstacle avoidance, and data collection capabilities. This has made drones more versatile and user-friendly. Drones are being employed in a wide range of industries, including agriculture, construction, logistics, surveillance, and entertainment. They are streamlining operations, improving safety, and reducing costs for businesses. Consumer drones have gained popularity as recreational devices, enabling enthusiasts to capture breathtaking aerial imagery and explore the world from new perspectives. Governments around the world are working on regulatory frameworks to ensure safe and responsible drone usage. These regulations are critical to the industry's sustainable growth.

According to the research report, “Global Drone Market Overview, 2028” the market is anticipated to cross USD 185 Billion by 2028, increasing from USD 45.63 Billion in 2022. The market is expected to grow with 28.05% CAGR by 2023-28. Drones have found applications across a wide range of industries, from agriculture and construction to healthcare and entertainment. As more sectors discover how drones can streamline operations, improve safety, and reduce costs, the demand for these devices continues to rise. Ongoing advancements in drone technology are expanding their capabilities. Improved battery life, more robust automation features, enhanced obstacle avoidance systems, and the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning are making drones more versatile and efficient, opening up new use cases and markets. Drones are becoming increasingly affordable, both for consumers and businesses. This cost-effectiveness is driving adoption in various sectors, where they can replace expensive and time-consuming manual processes. Also, they have the potential to reduce environmental impacts in sectors like agriculture and logistics. By optimizing resource use and reducing the need for large, fuel-consuming vehicles, drones contribute to sustainability efforts. Drones equipped with advanced sensors and cameras can collect precise data for various applications, from crop monitoring to infrastructure inspection. This data-driven decision-making is highly valuable and contributes to their growing use. The commercial drone market is expanding rapidly as companies realize the benefits of integrating drones into their operations. Industries like e-commerce are exploring drone delivery services, while construction and mining firms use them for site surveys and monitoring. Recent global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted the value of drones for tasks like contactless delivery and monitoring compliance with health measures. These events have accelerated the adoption of drones in response to new challenges.

The North America region is expected to witness significant market growth over the forecast period, owing to the ongoing advancements in drone technology, favorable government initiatives, and growing demand from enterprises across numerous industries. For instance, in the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued new regulations to create more coherent and consistent standards for the legal and safe operation of UAVs in commercial spaces. These rules and regulations are anticipated to decrease entry barriers and boost product usage, thereby favoring market expansion further. Asia Pacific region accounted for a market share of 29.4% in 2022. The regional dominance is attributed to the favorable regulatory scenario, especially among industrialized countries. Several governments remain keen to pursue new regulations for commercial drone applications. The growth of the regional commercial drone industry is being further driven by the increasing commercial drone applications across start-up firms. The rise in the adoption of commercial drones and the presence of key drone manufacturers in the U.S. are anticipated to fuel market growth in the region. Additionally, according to the Federal Aviation Administration FAA, 872,694 drones were registered in the U.S. in May 2021, while the numbers are expected to grow during 2023-28, owing to rising demand. The growing use of drones for various commercial applications across Germany, France, and the U.K. is predicted to support market growth in Europe during the forecast period. Additionally, presence of major existing and emerging market leaders in the region is expected to accentuate market growth over the forecast period. The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to showcase exponential growth owing to the rising number of drone production and operation companies across the region.

The global drone market is segmented into three product types including commercial, military and consumer drones. Among them, commercial segment is dominating the market in 2022. One of the primary drivers for the adoption of commercial drones is the potential for cost savings. Drones can perform tasks that traditionally required human labor or expensive machinery more efficiently and cost-effectively. For example, in agriculture, drones can monitor crops, assess irrigation needs, and detect pest infestations, reducing the need for manual labor and improving crop yields. Commercial drones can complete tasks faster and with greater accuracy than humans in many cases. They can conduct surveys, inspections, and data collection more rapidly, leading to increased productivity and quicker decision-making. Drones can be deployed in dangerous or hazardous environments, such as inspecting infrastructure like bridges, power lines, or oil rigs, without exposing human workers to risks. This enhances workplace safety and reduces the potential for accidents. Drones equipped with advanced sensors and cameras can collect vast amounts of data quickly and consistently. This data can be used for analytics, allowing businesses to make informed decisions, optimize processes, and detect issues early. Commercial drones are incredibly versatile and can be adapted for various industries and applications. They can be used in agriculture for crop monitoring, in construction for site surveys, in logistics for delivery, in filmmaking for aerial shots, and much more. Many governments are developing regulatory frameworks to support the safe and responsible use of drones in commercial applications. Clear regulations provide businesses with the confidence to invest in and expand their drone operations. Ongoing technological advancements, such as longer battery life, improved sensors, and better automation, are making drones more capable and reliable. This encourages businesses to adopt them for a wider range of tasks. The commercial drone industry has attracted substantial investment and fosters innovation. This investment leads to the development of new and improved drone technologies, applications, and solutions, further expanding the market. Based on type, rotary wings are projected to grow with prominent CGAR by the end of the forecast period.

Drones in payload capacities ranging from 25 kg to 150 kg are ideal for heavy cargo transport. They can efficiently transport goods over short to medium distances, providing a cost-effective and flexible solution for industries such as logistics and e-commerce. Heavy-lift drones are well-suited for last-mile delivery, bridging the gap between distribution centers and end-users. This capability is crucial for e-commerce companies looking to streamline delivery operations and meet increasing customer demand. In emergency situations like natural disasters or medical emergencies, heavy-lift drones can quickly deliver critical supplies, medical equipment, and aid to affected areas where traditional transportation methods may be hindered. Agriculture is increasingly adopting heavy-lift drones for tasks like crop spraying, where the ability to carry larger volumes of pesticides or fertilizers is essential. This improves the efficiency of farming operations and reduces the need for ground-based equipment. Heavy-lift drones can transport construction materials and equipment to remote or difficult-to-reach construction sites. They are also used for site surveys and inspections of large infrastructure projects. The entertainment industry utilizes heavy-lift drones to carry high-end camera equipment for aerial cinematography, allowing filmmakers to capture stunning shots that were once difficult or expensive to achieve. Continuous advancements in drone technology, including battery life, propulsion systems, and materials, have made it possible to manufacture heavy-lift drones that are more efficient, reliable, and capable of carrying heavier payloads.

As drone technology becomes more accessible and affordable, the number of drones in operation is on the rise across various industries. This surge in drone deployment creates a demand for software solutions to manage, control, and optimize drone operations effectively. Drone software can automate various aspects of drone flights, such as flight planning, navigation, data collection, and analysis. This automation streamlines operations, reduces human error, and enhances overall efficiency. Drones generate vast amounts of data through sensors, cameras, and other instruments. Drone software plays a critical role in processing and analyzing this data, providing actionable insights for industries like agriculture, construction, and environmental monitoring. Software enables remote monitoring and control of drones, allowing operators to manage multiple drones from a centralized location. This capability is essential for applications like surveillance, security, and search and rescue. Drone software assists in mission planning, helping operators define flight paths, waypoints, and objectives. It also optimizes routes for efficiency, safety, and data collection, which is particularly valuable for sectors like logistics and agriculture. As governments implement drone regulations, software can help drone operators adhere to these rules by providing real-time information on no-fly zones, flight altitude restrictions, and compliance checks. With the increasing reliance on drones for data collection and transmission, software solutions are essential to ensure data security and encryption, protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access or cyber-attacks. Many industries require tailored software solutions to meet their specific needs. Drone software can be customized and integrated with existing systems, making it adaptable to a wide range of applications. Drone software is essential for creating detailed maps, 3D models, and GIS data, which find applications in industries like surveying, mining, and urban planning. Incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning into drone software enhances capabilities such as object recognition, autonomous navigation, and predictive maintenance.

The increasing acceptance of drone deployment in military operations has prompted suppliers to produce drones that may be utilized in a variety of commercial applications. Drones are also being used for various purposes, such as providing internet access in rural areas, aerial photography and video recording, surveying and documenting animals, and public service missions. Several firms primarily provide tiny drones for agricultural, aerial photography, and data collecting purposes. Drone-assisted home deliveries have become a reality as a result of the efforts of logistics and retail organizations such as Amazon and UPS to implement the technology. Because commercial drones can travel at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour and transport products weighing less than 5 pounds, the delivery mechanism is projected to reduce delivery time and related expenses. Increased investments in drone technology are also expected to drive long-term industry growth. Farmers are using drones to increase agricultural productivity and minimize farming expenditures. Agricultural employees may eliminate duplicate operations and simplify them to make them more operationally feasible and efficient with the help of drones. Agricultural Drones that use robotics can make the monotonous, repetitive, and time-consuming operation of harvesting more efficient, as well as offer methods for scooping up product or pollinating crops using aerial drones. Drones' sophisticated imaging capabilities can aid in the real-time monitoring of weather changes. As a result, weather patterns may be tracked as they evolve. For example, autonomous sail boats that operate as drones may collect oceanic and atmospheric data from the ocean's surface and utilize it to forecast weather trends and patterns. With worldwide emphasis focused on climate change, stakeholders are leveraging emerging kinds of software and technology (Drone Motors, Drone Batteries, etc.) to be employed in drones, causing a substantial shift in the drone business.

Competitive Landscape

The global drone market is fragmented, with several major companies. These important players focus on improving their product portfolios, pricing strategies, and marketing efforts to increase revenue share in the next few years. Domestic participants are expected to grow due to lack of substantial obstacles and high domestic demand. New development, innovative product launch, acquisition, partnership, and collaboration are major strategies adopted by players operating in the market. In March 2021, a leading drone manufacturer DJI introduced its novel First-Person View (FPV) drone for entertainment and media end-use applications. Some of the major companies are SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd., Parrot SA, Intel Corporation, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, The Lockheed Martin Corporation, Yuneec International, PrecisionHawk, Delair, BAE Systems plc, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., AeroVironment, Inc, Ideaforge Technology Ltd., Draganfly Inc, Safran S.A., Esri, General Atomics, Skydio, Quantum-Systems GmbH, XMobots and Wingtra AG.

Key Developments

• In October 2022, DroneDeploy Inc. acquired StructionSite to integrate aerial and ground-based capture. It integrates the two aerial and ground capture solution providers into a single platform, enabling users to deploy drones, ground robots, and handheld 360-degree cameras to record their locations with ease.
• September 2022- Drone Fund, Japan-based world’s largest venture capitalist, invested USD 40 million in Indian companies working in drone manufacturing. The venture capitalists aim to fund and develop a whole drone ecosystem in India to source drone components in the country.
• September 2022- Drone Nerds, one of the largest DGI-authorized dealers of UAVs, launched a new commercial drone named DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise. The UAV is designed to help companies by offering features needed for commercial operations without adding features from high-end drones.
• February 2022 - Zain Group, a telecommunications company based in Kuwait, agreed with Saudi Arabia to develop drone technologies using research and development. The partnership is expected to diversify Saudi Arabia's economy a little from oil, considering a major percentage of Saudi Arabia’s economy runs due to oil exports.
• In November 2022, UAVIA and Parrot announce Technology and Marketing Partnership. The two companies are democratizing 4G autonomous drones by interconnecting the Parrot Anafi Ai with the UAVIA Robotics Platform. The Anafi Ai UAVIA Inside can complement the fleets of drones accessible from the UAVIA cloud platform providing an unbeaten characteristics mix regarding weight, autonomy, and 4K video performance.
• In December 2022, Skydio, the leading drone manufacturer in the United States, has announced the release of its new product line, which comprises the Skydio Dock and Skydio Dock Lite, all of which are powered by Skydio's new Remote Operations software.

Covid-19 Impacts

The pandemic disrupted global supply chains, affecting the availability of components and materials required for manufacturing drones. This led to delays in production and increased costs for some drone manufacturers. While demand for drones in sectors such as healthcare, public safety, and agriculture increased during the pandemic due to their utility in tasks like monitoring, delivery, and disinfection, demand decreased in other sectors like entertainment, real estate, and some industrial applications. This shift in demand forced some companies to pivot or diversify their offerings. The pandemic highlighted the need for more flexible and responsive regulations to accommodate the growing use of drones in various applications. Some countries relaxed regulations to enable drone delivery of medical supplies and essential goods during lockdowns, while others faced challenges in adapting their regulatory frameworks. In response to the pandemic, many businesses and governments accelerated their adoption of drone technology to address emerging challenges. Drones were used for tasks like contactless delivery, monitoring social distancing, and disinfecting public spaces. The pandemic underscored the importance of remote operations and autonomous capabilities in drones. Companies invested in developing and improving technologies that allow drones to operate with minimal human intervention, reducing the risk of virus transmission among operators. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, investment in the drone industry continued to grow. Investors recognized the long-term potential of drones in various sectors, including e-commerce, logistics, and infrastructure inspection. This ongoing investment has fueled innovation in drone technology. Many companies in the drone industry reevaluated their reliance on global supply chains and explored options for diversifying suppliers or sourcing components locally to mitigate future disruptions.

Considered in this report

• Geography: Global
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report

• Global Drone with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Region-wise Drone market analysis
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

Regions covered in the report

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle-East & Africa

By Product Type:

• Commercial Drone
• Military Drone
• Consumer Drone

By Type:

• Fixed Wing
• Rotary Wing
• Hybrid

By Payload:

• Drones Up-to 25 Kg
• Drones from 25 Kg - 150 Kg
• Drones More than 150 Kg

By Component:

• Hardware
• Software
• Accessories

By Application

• Military and Defense
• Inspection & Monitoring
• Environmental Monitoring
• Construction
• Agriculture
• Media and Entertainment
• Aerial Surveying
• Security & Law Enforcement
• Logistics & Transportation
• Photography
• Energy
• Others (Search and Rescue, Wildlife Conservation, Education and Research, etc.)

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations and organizations related to the Drone industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.