Small Drone Market Report 2025

The small drone market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $5.72 billion in 2024 to $6.46 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to consumer and hobbyist adoption, cost reduction in drone manufacturing, regulatory framework development, increased awareness of drone capabilities, rise of drone racing, integration into agriculture.

The small drone market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $10.31 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to urban air mobility, package delivery services, environmental monitoring, emergency medical services, surveillance and border security, education and training programs. Major trends in the forecast period include integration of artificial intelligence, adoption in public safety, consumer photography drones, drone swarming technology, advancements in camera technology.

The anticipated increase in military and defense expenditure is poised to drive the growth of the small drone market in the future. This expenditure encompasses both current and capital spending on armed forces, including defense ministries, government agencies involved in defense projects, and trained paramilitary forces. Small drones have significantly enhanced global military capabilities by improving reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, situational awareness, crew safety, and deployment speed. Notably, according to the National Defense Magazine, a US-based industrial association, global military drone research and procurement spending is expected to increase by nearly 30%, rising from an estimated $11.1 billion in 2020 to $14.3 billion in 2029. Research and development spending is projected to grow from $3.2 billion in 2020 to $4 billion in 2029, while procurement funding is anticipated to increase from $7.9 billion in 2020 to approximately $10.3 billion by the end of the decade. Hence, the upsurge in military and defense expenditure is a driving force behind the growth of the small drone market.

Government initiatives focused on drones, including small drones, are poised to fuel the growth of the small drone market in the coming years. These initiatives represent specific actions, programs, or policies undertaken by government authorities to address various issues, achieve specific goals, or create positive societal changes. In May 2023, the introduction of the National Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Initiative Act, as reported by the American Action Forum, a US-based non-profit organization, exemplifies such initiatives. This act aims to boost domestic production and deployment of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technology to compete with Chinese technological dominance. The act authorizes the establishment of a Network of Institutes dedicated to Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Research, expands the workforce for seamless UAS integration across industries, and establishes a center of excellence to enhance responses to potential threats posed by adversaries using unmanned systems. Government initiatives of this nature are significant catalysts for the growth of the small drone market.

Major companies in the small drone market are increasingly focusing on developing innovative products, such as 4K nanodrones, to enhance aerial photography, surveillance, and delivery services while meeting consumer demand for compact, high-performance devices. 4K nanodrones are lightweight, compact unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with 4K cameras, allowing for the capture of high-resolution images and videos. Their advanced features, including GPS and obstacle avoidance, make them suitable for various recreational and professional applications. For example, in January 2024, IZI, an India-based tech-commerce company, launched the IZI MINI X drone, which is India's first 4K nano drone. Weighing only 249 grams, it comes in two versions: the Standalone model, offering a flight time of 31 minutes and a 4 km live video transmission range, and the Fly More Combo, which extends flight time to 93 minutes with three batteries. The drone is equipped with a 20MP camera for high-quality imaging and supports over 10 flying modes, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced users.

Prominent players in the small drone market are strategically developing innovative products, particularly small drones equipped with upgraded sensors, to bolster their revenues. These compact unmanned aerial vehicles leverage advanced sensor technologies, enhancing their capabilities for superior navigation, data collection, and situational awareness. A notable example is Teledyne, a US-based company specializing in sensing technologies, which introduced the Black Hornet 4 Personal Reconnaissance System in May 2023. As the latest iteration of the Black Hornet nano-drone, this next-generation device improves covert situational awareness for small units. The Black Hornet 4 features a new 12-megapixel daytime camera with exceptional low-light performance, a high-resolution thermal imager, and an advanced software-defined radio (SDR) datalink, enabling it to capture crisp video and still images. Weighing merely 70 grams, the Black Hornet 4 boasts a flying time exceeding 30 minutes, a range exceeding two kilometers, and the ability to navigate in 25-knot winds.

In May 2024, Airbus SE, a Netherlands-based aerospace company that designs and manufactures commercial aircraft, helicopters, defense systems, space solutions, and security services, acquired Aerovel Corporation for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Airbus SE aims to bolster its position in the tactical unmanned aerial systems (UAS) market. This initiative is part of a larger strategy to enhance its capabilities in intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) for both military and parapublic sectors. Aerovel Corporation is a U.S.-based manufacturing company specializing in the development of innovative drone technologies.

Major companies operating in the small drone market include Parrot SA, AeroVironment, Elbit Systems, lockheed Martin Corporation, Israel Aerospace Industry Limited, BAE Systems plc, Textron Inc., Saab AB, Delair, Yuneec International, Applied Aeronautics, The Boeing Company, Thales Group, Skydio, Autel Robotics, Airobotics, BRINC DronesLLC., Citadel Defense Company, Corvus Robotics, Dedrone, DroneDeploy, DroneUp, DroneSeed, DroneSense, Propeller Aero, SkyCatch, Valqari, Volansi, WiBotic, Wing, Zipline, Censys, Inspired Flight, Skyfish, Hitec Commercial Solutions, Vantage Robotics, RangePro X8P, C-Astral Aerospace.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the small drone market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the small drone market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the small drone market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the small drone market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Small drones typically encompass unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that travel distances up to 90 miles, predominantly utilized for espionage and intelligence gathering purposes. These drones often feature fixed wings and are easily launched into the air by hand.

The primary classifications of small drones are fixed-wing and rotary-wing variants. Fixed-wing drones are characterized by wings that remain stationary rather than rotating. They are powered by either fuel or batteries and are operated remotely, optionally with a pilot, or autonomously. These small drones find applications in various fields including military and commercial sectors.

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

The small drone market consists of sales of single-rotor drones, and fixed-wing hybrid VTOLs. 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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