Mobile Target Drone Launcher Market Report 2026

The mobile target drone launcher market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.32 billion in 2025 to $1.45 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing demand for realistic military training exercises, adoption of bungee-assisted and catapult drone launchers, development of electromagnetic launch technologies, rising use of unmanned target drones in anti-aircraft testing, government investment in field-deployable training systems.

The mobile target drone launcher market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.11 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growth in advanced autonomous drone launchers, expansion of modular and multi-type launcher systems, adoption of precision recovery parachute systems, integration with simulation-based training programs, rising demand from international defense forces for mobile drone solutions. Major trends in the forecast period include rapid deployment and mobility of launchers, multi-type launcher integration (bungee, electromagnetic, catapult), enhanced parachute recovery systems, realistic threat simulation for military training, modular and field-upgradeable launchers.

The growth of the mobile target drone launcher market is being supported by increasing military expenditure, as governments allocate more funds for defense purposes, including personnel, equipment, operations, and maintenance. Rising geopolitical tensions have prompted nations to invest in advanced defense systems and strategic capabilities to enhance security and deter potential threats. Increased military spending facilitates the development, acquisition, and operational deployment of sophisticated drone systems for training and combat readiness. For example, a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute indicated that global military spending rose by 3.7% in real terms in 2022, reaching $2.24 trillion, while European military expenditure grew by 13% over the same period.

The rising military peacekeeping missions are expected to propel the growth of the mobile target drone launcher market going forward. Military peacekeeping missions refer to efforts by armed forces to prevent conflict, maintain stability, and protect civilians in regions affected by unrest or violence. These missions are increasing due to growing regional conflicts and political instability, which require international forces to intervene and maintain security in affected areas. Mobile target drone launchers support military peacekeeping missions by enabling realistic aerial threat simulations, helping forces train effectively and improve response strategies without risking personnel or equipment. For instance, in May 2024, according to SIPRI, a Stockholm-based think tank, 63 multilateral peace operations were active in 37 countries in 2023, deploying approximately 100,568 international personnel. Therefore, the rising military peacekeeping missions are driving the growth of the mobile target drone launcher market.

Companies in the mobile target drone launcher market are investing in high-speed drone technologies to enhance air defense training and operational efficiency. These systems allow for realistic simulations of fast-moving aerial threats, such as missiles, fighter jets, or enemy drones, improving multi-threat engagement capabilities and reducing operational costs through reusable and versatile drone platforms. In July 2025, Turkey's Aerospace Industries introduced the Şimşek-K High-Speed Target Drone System, designed for autonomous training and flexible deployment in air defense and naval operations. The compact drone measures 2.4 meters in length with a 1.5-meter wingspan, a maximum takeoff weight of 83 kilograms, and can carry up to 18 kilograms of equipment including cameras, IR signature enhancers, and radar devices. It can be launched from land, sea, or airborne platforms using rocket-assisted takeoff and includes a parachute recovery system. The drone operates autonomously with encrypted controls, supports in-flight mission updates, and features both emergency and automatic landing modes.

Major companies operating in the mobile target drone launcher market are The Boeing Co., Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, General Dynamics Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leonardo S.p.A., Textron Systems Corporation, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Elbit Systems Ltd., Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., CAE Inc., QinetiQ Group Plc, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc., Teledyne FLIR LLC, Paramount Group, AeroVironment Inc., Denel Ltd., Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation.

North America was the largest region in the mobile target drone launcher market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the mobile target drone launcher 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 have impacted the mobile target drone launcher market by increasing costs of critical components such as electromagnetic systems, pneumatic cylinders, and catapult mechanisms, particularly affecting production in Asia-Pacific regions like China and Taiwan. Rail and electromagnetic launchers are the most affected segments due to reliance on imported precision components. While tariffs increase production costs, they also encourage local manufacturing, domestic innovation, and development of cost-efficient launcher systems, providing potential growth opportunities for regional defense manufacturers.

The mobile target drone launcher market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides mobile target drone launcher market statistics, including the mobile target drone launcher industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the mobile target drone launcher market share, detailed mobile target drone launcher market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the mobile target drone launcher industry. This mobile target drone launcher market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

A mobile target drone launcher is a portable system designed to deploy unmanned aerial targets (drones) for military exercises and weapons testing. It enables armed forces to replicate realistic aerial threats, enhancing the precision and preparedness of anti-aircraft systems. Typically mounted on trucks or trailers, these launchers can be relocated easily for field operations.

The primary types of mobile target drone launchers include rail launchers, pneumatic launchers, hydraulic launchers, and similar systems. Rail launchers are ground- or ship-based devices that use parallel rails to guide and accelerate missiles, rockets, or UAVs during launch. Deployment platforms include land, sea, and air. These systems are applied in military training, defense testing, aerospace, and related areas, and are used by end users such as armed forces, defense contractors, and research institutions.

The countries covered in the mobile target drone launcher market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The mobile target drone launcher market consists of sales of bungee-assisted launchers, electromagnetic launchers, catapult launchers, pin array launchers, and parachute recovery systems. 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.

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