This Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle market report provides a comprehensive analysis of the market’s characteristics, size, and growth, including segmentation, regional and country-level breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends, and strategies. It also tracks historical and forecasted market growth across various geographies.
The unmanned defense aerial vehicle market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $16.19 billion in 2024 to $17.61 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to military modernization, counterterrorism and asymmetric warfare, improved surveillance and reconnaissance, technological advancements.
The unmanned defense aerial vehicle market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $24.74 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing adoption of armed uavs, counter-drone technologies, geopolitical tensions, urban warfare and asymmetric threats. Major trends in the forecast period include electromagnetic warfare (ew), hybrid-electric uavs, environmental adaptation, maritime and submarine operations.
The unmanned defense aerial vehicle market is poised for growth, driven by increased defense spending on unmanned technologies. US defense procurement is expected to rise from $2.5 billion in 2020 to approximately $3.3 billion by the end of 2030. This heightened investment in research and development by the defense sector for unmanned technologies is anticipated to boost revenues in the unmanned defense aerial vehicles market in the years to come.
The growing demand for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in military and defense applications, such as surveillance, reconnaissance, situational awareness, and search and rescue operations, is expected to drive the expansion of the unmanned defense aerial market. Military agencies are the primary users of UAV solutions and related services. Additionally, government and law enforcement agencies employ UAVs for surveillance and monitoring activities. UAVs are also utilized in combat operations for strike missions, carrying ordnance such as missiles, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), and/or bombs on hardpoints for military drone strikes. In December 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a U.S.-based government agency overseeing civil aviation regulations, reported that by January 2024, approximately 870,000 recreational drone operators and over 350,000 certified commercial drone pilots were registered.
A notable trend in the UAV market is the increasing preference for sustainable and eco-friendly products. The use of sustainable UAVs can help reduce the environmental impact of military and defense operations by decreasing CO2 emissions and air pollutants compared to traditional delivery methods involving fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Regulations and policies governing UAV usage in military and defense applications are placing greater emphasis on environmental considerations. For example, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) mandates that drones be designed to minimize noise and emissions while complying with environmental protection requirements. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has forecasted that the commercial drone fleet will reach 828,000, with the recreational fleet numbering around 1.48 million by 2024.
Key players in the industry are expanding their businesses, which is a prominent trend in the unmanned defense aerial vehicle market. For example, in June 2022, Garuda Aerospace, an India-based UAV developer, announced a partnership with HiiLSE Drones in Malaysia to establish a 2.42-hectare drone factory with a daily production capacity of about 50 drones. Garuda Aerospace aims to provide drone technologies to both government and private sectors in the region and plans to invest Rs 115 crore in the partnership. These expansions by leading players are shaping the unmanned defense aerial vehicle market.
In January 2022, ILUS International Inc., a US-based public merger and acquisition investment company, acquired Vira Drones for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition is part of ILUS's strategy to incorporate Vira Drones' technology into its existing and future emergency response solutions and those of upcoming acquisitions. Vira Drones is a Switzerland-based UAV developer and manufacturer.
Unmanned defense aerial vehicles, commonly referred to as drones and aircraft without onboard human operators, are employed in autonomous defense operations. These UAVs are equipped with sensors, target designators, and various munitions like ATGMs, missiles, bombs, or electronic transmitters, designed for the destruction of enemy targets in military and defense applications.
The primary categories of UAVs used in unmanned defense aerial vehicles include multi-rotor, single rotor, fixed-wing, and fixed-wing hybrid VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) drones. Fixed-wing drones are aircraft without human pilots onboard, and they can be controlled remotely by a human operator or autonomously by onboard systems. These UAVs are used in different operational ranges, including visual line of sight (VLOS), extended visual line of sight (EVLOS), and beyond the line of sight (BLOS). They also employ various technologies, ranging from remotely operated to semi-autonomous and fully autonomous systems.
The unmanned defense aerial vehicle market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides unmanned defense aerial vehicle market statistics, including unmanned defense aerial vehicle industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an unmanned defense aerial vehicle market share, detailed unmanned defense aerial vehicle market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the unmanned defense aerial vehicle industry. This unmanned defense aerial vehicle 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.
Major companies operating in the unmanned defense aerial vehicle market include The Boeing Company, BAE Systems PLC, SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd. (DJI), Elbit Systems Ltd., General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI), Northrop Grumman Corporation, Textron Inc., AeroVironment Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, 3D Robotics Inc., Action Drone Inc., AguaDrone, Airbus SE, Autel Robotics USA LLC, CyPhy Works Inc., Delair, Dragonfly Innovations Inc., Hubsan, Insitu a Boeing Company, Kespry Inc., Parrot SA, Yuneec International Co. Ltd., PrecisionHawk Inc., Prox Dynamics AS (Prox Dynamics was acquired by FLIR Systems), Raptor Maps Inc., Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Shield AI Inc., Thales Group, Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TAI), Vantage Robotics, Vayu Inc.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in unmanned defense aerial vehicle market in 2024. Western Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the unmanned defense aerial vehicle market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the unmanned defense aerial vehicle market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the unmanned defense aerial vehicle market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The unmanned defense aerial vehicle market consists of sales of remotely piloted and unpiloted aerial vehicles for defense purposes such as carry weapons, mapping, communication, and destroy targets. 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 3-5 business days.
The unmanned defense aerial vehicle market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $16.19 billion in 2024 to $17.61 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to military modernization, counterterrorism and asymmetric warfare, improved surveillance and reconnaissance, technological advancements.
The unmanned defense aerial vehicle market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $24.74 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing adoption of armed uavs, counter-drone technologies, geopolitical tensions, urban warfare and asymmetric threats. Major trends in the forecast period include electromagnetic warfare (ew), hybrid-electric uavs, environmental adaptation, maritime and submarine operations.
The unmanned defense aerial vehicle market is poised for growth, driven by increased defense spending on unmanned technologies. US defense procurement is expected to rise from $2.5 billion in 2020 to approximately $3.3 billion by the end of 2030. This heightened investment in research and development by the defense sector for unmanned technologies is anticipated to boost revenues in the unmanned defense aerial vehicles market in the years to come.
The growing demand for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in military and defense applications, such as surveillance, reconnaissance, situational awareness, and search and rescue operations, is expected to drive the expansion of the unmanned defense aerial market. Military agencies are the primary users of UAV solutions and related services. Additionally, government and law enforcement agencies employ UAVs for surveillance and monitoring activities. UAVs are also utilized in combat operations for strike missions, carrying ordnance such as missiles, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), and/or bombs on hardpoints for military drone strikes. In December 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a U.S.-based government agency overseeing civil aviation regulations, reported that by January 2024, approximately 870,000 recreational drone operators and over 350,000 certified commercial drone pilots were registered.
A notable trend in the UAV market is the increasing preference for sustainable and eco-friendly products. The use of sustainable UAVs can help reduce the environmental impact of military and defense operations by decreasing CO2 emissions and air pollutants compared to traditional delivery methods involving fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Regulations and policies governing UAV usage in military and defense applications are placing greater emphasis on environmental considerations. For example, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) mandates that drones be designed to minimize noise and emissions while complying with environmental protection requirements. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has forecasted that the commercial drone fleet will reach 828,000, with the recreational fleet numbering around 1.48 million by 2024.
Key players in the industry are expanding their businesses, which is a prominent trend in the unmanned defense aerial vehicle market. For example, in June 2022, Garuda Aerospace, an India-based UAV developer, announced a partnership with HiiLSE Drones in Malaysia to establish a 2.42-hectare drone factory with a daily production capacity of about 50 drones. Garuda Aerospace aims to provide drone technologies to both government and private sectors in the region and plans to invest Rs 115 crore in the partnership. These expansions by leading players are shaping the unmanned defense aerial vehicle market.
In January 2022, ILUS International Inc., a US-based public merger and acquisition investment company, acquired Vira Drones for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition is part of ILUS's strategy to incorporate Vira Drones' technology into its existing and future emergency response solutions and those of upcoming acquisitions. Vira Drones is a Switzerland-based UAV developer and manufacturer.
Unmanned defense aerial vehicles, commonly referred to as drones and aircraft without onboard human operators, are employed in autonomous defense operations. These UAVs are equipped with sensors, target designators, and various munitions like ATGMs, missiles, bombs, or electronic transmitters, designed for the destruction of enemy targets in military and defense applications.
The primary categories of UAVs used in unmanned defense aerial vehicles include multi-rotor, single rotor, fixed-wing, and fixed-wing hybrid VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) drones. Fixed-wing drones are aircraft without human pilots onboard, and they can be controlled remotely by a human operator or autonomously by onboard systems. These UAVs are used in different operational ranges, including visual line of sight (VLOS), extended visual line of sight (EVLOS), and beyond the line of sight (BLOS). They also employ various technologies, ranging from remotely operated to semi-autonomous and fully autonomous systems.
The unmanned defense aerial vehicle market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides unmanned defense aerial vehicle market statistics, including unmanned defense aerial vehicle industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an unmanned defense aerial vehicle market share, detailed unmanned defense aerial vehicle market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the unmanned defense aerial vehicle industry. This unmanned defense aerial vehicle 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.
Major companies operating in the unmanned defense aerial vehicle market include The Boeing Company, BAE Systems PLC, SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd. (DJI), Elbit Systems Ltd., General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI), Northrop Grumman Corporation, Textron Inc., AeroVironment Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, 3D Robotics Inc., Action Drone Inc., AguaDrone, Airbus SE, Autel Robotics USA LLC, CyPhy Works Inc., Delair, Dragonfly Innovations Inc., Hubsan, Insitu a Boeing Company, Kespry Inc., Parrot SA, Yuneec International Co. Ltd., PrecisionHawk Inc., Prox Dynamics AS (Prox Dynamics was acquired by FLIR Systems), Raptor Maps Inc., Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Shield AI Inc., Thales Group, Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TAI), Vantage Robotics, Vayu Inc.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in unmanned defense aerial vehicle market in 2024. Western Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the unmanned defense aerial vehicle market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the unmanned defense aerial vehicle market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the unmanned defense aerial vehicle market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The unmanned defense aerial vehicle market consists of sales of remotely piloted and unpiloted aerial vehicles for defense purposes such as carry weapons, mapping, communication, and destroy targets. 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 3-5 business days.
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary2. Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market Characteristics3. Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market Trends and Strategies4. Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market - Macro Economic Scenario Including the Impact of Interest Rates, Inflation, Geopolitics, and the Recovery from COVID-19 on the Market32. Global Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market Competitive Benchmarking and Dashboard33. Key Mergers and Acquisitions in the Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market34. Recent Developments in the Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
5. Global Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Growth Analysis and Strategic Analysis Framework
6. Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market Segmentation
7. Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market Regional and Country Analysis
8. Asia-Pacific Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
9. China Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
10. India Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
11. Japan Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
12. Australia Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
13. Indonesia Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
14. South Korea Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
15. Western Europe Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
16. UK Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
17. Germany Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
18. France Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
19. Italy Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
20. Spain Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
21. Eastern Europe Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
22. Russia Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
23. North America Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
24. USA Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
25. Canada Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
26. South America Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
27. Brazil Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
28. Middle East Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
29. Africa Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market
30. Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market Competitive Landscape and Company Profiles
31. Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market Other Major and Innovative Companies
35. Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Market High Potential Countries, Segments and Strategies
36. Appendix
Executive Summary
Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle Global Market Report 2025 provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.This report focuses on unmanned defense aerial vehicle market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
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Description
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for unmanned defense aerial vehicle ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The unmanned defense aerial vehicle market global report answers all these questions and many more.The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography.
- The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
- The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
- The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include: the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
- The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers the growth trajectory of COVID-19 for all regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets.
- The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
- The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.
Scope
Markets Covered:
1) By UAV Type: Multi Rotor; Single Rotor; Fixed Wing; Fixed Wing Hybrid VTOL2) By Range: Visual Line of Sight (VLOS); Extended Visual Line of Sight (EVLOS); Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS)
3) By Technology: Remotely Operated; Semi-Autonomous; Fully-Autonomous
Subsegments:
1) By Multi Rotor: Quadcopters; Hexacopters; Octocopters2) By Single Rotor: Small Single-Rotor UAVs; Large Single-Rotor UAVs
3) By Fixed Wing: Small Fixed-Wing UAVs; Tactical Fixed-Wing UAVs; Strategic Fixed-Wing UAVs
4) By Fixed Wing Hybrid VTOL: Tilt-Rotor UAVs; Tail-Sitter UAVs; Multi-Engine Hybrid VTOL UAVs
Key Companies Mentioned: the Boeing Company; BAE Systems plc; SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd. (DJI); Elbit Systems Ltd.; General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.
Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita.
Data Segmentation: Country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
Delivery Format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.
Companies Mentioned
The major companies featured in this Unmanned Defense Aerial Vehicle market report include:- The Boeing Company
- BAE Systems plc
- SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd. (DJI)
- Elbit Systems Ltd.
- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.
- Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI)
- Northrop Grumman Corporation
- Textron Inc.
- AeroVironment Inc.
- Lockheed Martin Corporation
- 3D Robotics Inc.
- Action Drone Inc.
- AguaDrone
- Airbus SE
- Autel Robotics USA LLC
- CyPhy Works Inc.
- Delair
- Dragonfly Innovations Inc.
- Hubsan
- Insitu a Boeing Company
- Kespry Inc.
- Parrot SA
- Yuneec International Co. Ltd.
- PrecisionHawk Inc.
- Prox Dynamics AS (Prox Dynamics was acquired by FLIR Systems)
- Raptor Maps Inc.
- Raytheon Technologies Corporation
- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
- Shield AI Inc.
- Thales Group
- Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TAI)
- Vantage Robotics
- Vayu Inc.
Table Information
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of Pages | 175 |
| Published | April 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 - 2029 |
| Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 17.61 Billion |
| Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 24.74 Billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 8.9% |
| Regions Covered | Global |
| No. of Companies Mentioned | 34 |
