Surveillance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Market Report 2026

The surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (uavs) market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $6.31 billion in 2025 to $6.9 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to early development of unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance, advancements in high-resolution camera and lidar technologies, government and military funding for persistent aerial monitoring programs, integration of navigation systems for precise UAV operation, initial deployment of payload integration kits for specialized surveillance tasks.

The surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (uavs) market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $9.76 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for real-time aerial monitoring and infrastructure inspection, expansion of UAV fleets for perimeter and crowd surveillance, adoption of advanced lidar and sensor fusion technologies, development of autonomous and AI-assisted surveillance UAVs, increased collaboration between UAV manufacturers and defense or civil agencies for large-scale monitoring solutions. Major trends in the forecast period include increased adoption of long-endurance uav platforms, rising demand for advanced sensor fusion capabilities, expansion of uav-based infrastructure inspection services, growth in commercial and civilian surveillance applications, increased integration of lightweight, high-efficiency payload systems.

The increasing defense spending is anticipated to fuel the growth of the surveillance UAVs market in the coming years. Defense spending is the government's money to fund its military forces, operations, and related defense activities to safeguard national interests. Defense spending is rising due to escalating geopolitical tensions as countries increase military budgets to strengthen their defense capabilities amid growing regional conflicts and global power rivalries. With increased defense budgets, countries are able to invest in better UAV technology, larger fleets, and more effective operations. More funds allow for advanced research and development, resulting in improvements such as superior sensors, AI-based systems, and stealth technology. For instance, in April 2025, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a Sweden-based international institute, global military spending reached 2.71 trillion dollars in 2024, showing a 9.4% increase in real terms compared to the previous year. Therefore, the increasing defense spending will boost the growth of the surveillance UAVs market.

Major companies operating in the surveillance UAVs market are focusing on developing advanced solutions, such as artificial intelligence-powered drones, to quickly process vast amounts of data. Artificial intelligence-powered drones are unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with AI technologies that enable them to perform autonomous tasks such as navigation, data analysis, and decision-making without human intervention. For instance, in May 2025, Helsing, a Germany-based defense company, launched Fathom, an underwater surveillance drone. This underwater surveillance system utilizes artificial intelligence to identify enemy submarines and vessels over long periods at sea. The AI-powered tool, Lura, processes information gathered from SG-1 Fathom drones. Lura can accurately detect and distinguish underwater threats using an extensive acoustic model based on their sound signatures. Furthermore, the Fathom drones have swarming capabilities, enabling the deployment of hundreds of units to monitor underwater areas continuously for up to three months.

In October 2024, Delair, a France-based manufacturer of unmanned systems, acquired Squadrone System for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Delair aims to reinforce its footprint in the growing French UAV market. The integration of Squadrone System’s capabilities provides valuable strategic advantages that will accelerate Delair’s development and competitiveness across Europe and in international markets. Squadrone System is a France-based manufacturer of surveillance UAVs.

Major companies operating in the surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (uavs) market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus SE, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems plc, Thales Group, Textron Inc., Elbit Systems Ltd., Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Saab AB, DJI Service LLC, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Anduril Industries, AeroVironment Inc., Yuneec International Co. Ltd., Autel Robotics Co., Skydio Inc., Parrot SA, Baykar Makina Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc., Teal Drones Inc.

North America was the largest region in the surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (uavs) market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs on electronic components, sensors, and airframe materials are increasing production costs and elongating supply timelines for surveillance UAV manufacturers, affecting segments such as electro-optical systems, radar platforms, and fixed-wing UAVs. Regions dependent on imported avionics particularly Asia-Pacific and Europe are experiencing the most significant cost escalations. Government and defense procurement cycles are also slowing due to higher acquisition costs, although some domestic manufacturers are benefitting from reduced foreign competition, stimulating localized innovation. Overall, tariffs are reshaping supply chains and encouraging regional manufacturing diversification.

The surveillance UAVs market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides surveillance UAVs market statistics, including surveillance UAVs industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a surveillance UAVs market share, detailed surveillance UAVs market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the surveillance UAVs industry. This surveillance UAVs 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.

Surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are aerial systems without onboard pilots, specifically engineered for observing and collecting information across designated areas from elevated viewpoints. These UAVs are widely utilized in missions requiring sustained aerial surveillance, providing the capability to operate for long durations and scan expansive territories.

The primary categories of surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) include rotary airfoil, fixed-wing, and other types. Rotary airfoil UAVs employ rotating blades to generate lift and allow vertical takeoff and landing, facilitating precise control and movement ideal for close-range observation in restricted environments. These UAVs are equipped with various technologies such as electro-optical or infrared systems, radar systems, signal intelligence (SIGINT), acoustic sensors, and multispectral sensors. They serve a broad range of end-users including government and defense sectors, agricultural operations, commercial businesses, research entities, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The countries covered in the surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (uavs) market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as aerial monitoring, perimeter surveillance, emergency assessment, crowd monitoring, and infrastructure inspection. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) market also includes sales of high-resolution cameras, LiDAR systems, navigation systems, and payload integration kits. 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.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.