Middle Eastern Commercial Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Growth Opportunities

Military, Construction, and Oil & Gas to Drive Future Growth Potential for Drones in Countries with Less Restrictive Regulatory Frameworks

Safety concerns regarding the use of drones are limiting growth for the commercial UAS market in the Middle East, with certain countries, such as Kuwait, Syria, and Iraq, banning drone operations of all types. However, other states, like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), permit drone use in the commercial sector. Moreover, technological advances in these states’ military industry, particularly in Israel, will contribute to the development of drone technology for commercial use.

Although the restrictive conditions restrain overall growth, this market is nascent and likely to experience exponential growth in the next 5 to 10 years due to its current limited size. Furthermore, recent capital flow into the region will change demand for drone platforms, as many sectors experiencing growth, such as infrastructure and construction, can use UAS to improve workflow efficiencies.

This report focuses on the most relevant commercial drone applications in the Middle East and highlights essential companies shaping the market. The analysis also provides a discussion of growth opportunities for the oil & gas and construction industries, representing the most significant drivers of demand for commercial UAS platforms in the Middle East.

This study integrates information gathered from existing reports in the publisher's database, specialized UAS magazines, and academic papers focused on potential drone applications in the region. Interviews with industry participants contribute deeper insight into the market.