Drone Warfare by Capability (Platform, Application Software, Services, GCS, Drone launch & Recovery systems), Application (UCAVs, ISR, Delivery), Mode of Operation (Autonomous, Semi-autonomous), and Region - Global Forecast to 2028
[312 Pages Report] The drone warfare market is poised to experience growth, advancing from USD 20.1 billion in 2023 to reach USD 30.5 billion by 2028, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.6% during the period from 2023 to 2028. Drones used in warfare can operate autonomously, be controlled remotely, or use a combination of both methods. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are equipped with sensors, electronic receivers, transmitters, and offensive weaponry. They serve a critical role in strategic and combat zone reconnaissance, actively participating on the front lines by identifying targets for precision-guided munitions or directly deploying these munitions themselves.
Originating as remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs) or drones, these technologies had their beginnings as small radio-controlled aircraft in World War II, initially used for target training. Over time, these unmanned vehicles have evolved into sophisticated tools employed by major military powers and even some militia groups. Battlefield surveillance UAVs are now extensively utilized to expand the observation capabilities of ground and naval forces, significantly enhancing the range and accuracy of supporting fire.
Drone Warfare Market Forecast to 2028
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Drone warfare market Dynamics:
Driver: Drones offer significant cost advantages in terms of operation, maintenance, and training
Drones bring big cost advantages compared to manned aircraft in several ways. They use way less fuel because they're smaller and lighter, which means lower fuel costs, especially for long missions. Their maintenance is simpler too, needing less fixing and making it cheaper. Also, training people to operate drones is quicker and costs less than training pilots for regular planes.
Deploying drones is easier too. They can take off from smaller places and don't need as much infrastructure as regular planes, so they're good for remote areas. Operating them needs fewer people for support, saving on costs. Plus, drones remove the risk of losing human pilots, which saves money on training and compensating families. And if a drone gets lost, it's usually cheaper to replace than a regular plane.
Drones can do lots of different jobs, like spying and attacking, all in one, so they're more versatile. They're also better at hitting targets precisely, which can mean less damage overall. For armies working with tight budgets, drones offer big cost savings. But we also need to think about the ethical and legal issues that come with using drones in warfare.
Restraint: International Legal And Ethical Frameworks Governing The Use Of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (Laws) Are Still Under Development
The rules about using autonomous weapons, like drones, are still unclear internationally. Different countries have different opinions, making it hard to agree on one set of rules for everyone. There are concerns about who should be responsible if something goes wrong and worries about these weapons making decisions without people involved.
All this uncertainty affects the market for drone warfare. People might not want to invest or make these technologies because of legal and ethical problems. Some countries might limit using these weapons until the rules are clearer. Also, public worries about these weapons could influence governments and how much they're used.
People are trying to find solutions, like making international rules for these weapons and setting ethical guidelines for using AI in military tools. Making sure there's human oversight in how these weapons make decisions might help with worries about their independence. Finding ways to deal with these uncertainties can help make using drone technology safe and ethical.
Opportunity: Development of electronic warfare (EW) systems, anti-air lasers, and drone -hunting drone technologies
Electronic Warfare (EW) systems can mess up how enemy drones work by disrupting their communication and sensors. This helps protect friendly drones and makes missions more successful. With more drones out there, the demand for these systems is growing a lot.
Anti-air lasers are precise and quick at stopping drones without causing much harm to people on the ground. They're also cheaper than other defense systems and keep improving in their range and accuracy.
Drone -hunting drones use tactics like using nets or lasers to take down enemy drones. They're flexible and can adapt easily, making them an emerging solution for dealing with drones.
These new technologies bring in big opportunities for the drone warfare market. They help expand what companies offer and attract more investors. Working with governments on these technologies could bring in contracts and long-term partnerships.
But there are challenges too. Developing these advanced technologies is complex and needs a lot of expertise. Rules about using lasers and autonomous weapons need careful attention to follow. There are also ethical worries about how these technologies might be used and their impact on civilians.
Challenge: Weather limitations and payload restrictions can hinder drone effectiveness in certain scenarios
The challenges affecting drones in warfare, like weather and payload limitations, have significant implications for their effectiveness. Bad weather conditions, such as strong winds or heavy rain, greatly affect drone flights, causing delays and increasing costs for specialized weather-resistant technology. Additionally, smaller drones have limited carrying capacity, restricting the equipment they can handle, which impacts their versatility during missions.
These challenges pose significant hurdles for the drone warfare market, impacting the frequency and versatility of drone missions. The limitations on flight and payload affect how useful drones can be and make it hard for smaller companies to compete due to the high costs of solving these issues. However, efforts are underway to find solutions. Improvements in drone technology aim to make them better at handling harsh weather conditions and increase their capabilities by using groups of smaller drones. The goal is to enhance their adaptability and usefulness across a wide range of scenarios in the future.
Drone Warfare Market Ecosystem/Map
The principal consumers of Drone warfare are defense agencies and governments. These Drone warfare are installed or mount to improve their surveillance, reconnaissance, and connection. Their requirements fuel the desire for sophisticated terminals features, personalization, and operational capability.
Based on Application, the Stealth drone segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
A significant factor driving the growth of stealth drones within the drone warfare market is their application in various military operations, particularly for missions requiring covert surveillance and precise, stealthy strikes. Stealth drones equipped with Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) range are proving invaluable in search and rescue operations across remote and inaccessible locations. These drones excel in scenarios where human intervention is limited or impossible, enhancing their efficacy in surveillance and stealth operations.
Boeing's Pharitom Ray stands as a prime example of a stealth unmanned combat air vehicle, demonstrating the demand for durable and stealthy UAVs in defense applications. Its versatility in conducting surveillance, ground attacks, and autonomous aerial refueling missions highlights the evolving capabilities of stealth drones in meeting military needs.
Based on mode of operation, Semi autonomous segment is estimated to account for the largest share in 2023.
Based on mode of operation, In the future battlefield, semi-autonomous drones will play a crucial role, working alongside human strategists to enhance warfare. These drones won't just follow human commands; they'll act with some independence, marking a major shift in drone warfare. This change promises more flexibility, efficiency, and reduced risks for human operators. The idea is that these drones can handle tasks on their own, from simple flight maneuvers to analyzing battlefield data, while humans focus on making strategic decisions and engaging targets.
The benefits of semi-autonomous drones are clear: they offer better battlefield awareness, execute missions more precisely, and keep human lives safer in risky situations. But challenges come with this new technology. Questions about ethics, cybersecurity, and integrating human-machine coordination need answers. Still, if managed responsibly, semi-autonomous drones could reshape warfare, making it more effective and ethical for the future.
The Europe region is projected to Grow at highest market CAGR during the forecast period.
Drone Warfare Market by Region
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The European drone warfare market, Drones provide real-time situational awareness of battlefields to defense forces. Technological upgrades in drones, in terms of sensors and miniature payloads, have fueled the growth of the market for drones in the European region. The demand for drones in military applications is continuously increasing. Heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly with the ongoing war in Ukraine and increased assertiveness from Russia and China, have accelerated the need for enhanced defense capabilities. Drone warfares, offering both reconnaissance and strike capabilities, are now recognized as crucial tools for bolstering regional security.
European countries are actively working towards harmonizing drone regulations, promoting cross-border collaboration, and streamlining deployment processes. This regulatory framework is expected to attract larger investments, facilitating market growth. The European drone warfare market is broadening its focus beyond traditional surveillance and reconnaissance. There is a growing exploration of drones for electronic warfare, logistics and resupply, and maritime patrol. This diversification of applications is opening new avenues for growth and market expansion.
Key Market Players
The major players in the drone warfare companies are Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), Raytheon Technologies Corporation (US), Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (Israel), General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) (US), and Teledyne FLIR LLC (US). These players have adopted various growth strategies such as contracts, joint ventures, partnerships & agreements, acquisitions, and new product launches to further expand their presence in the drone warfare market.
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Report Metric |
Details |
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Market size available for years |
2020-2028 |
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Base year considered |
2022 |
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Forecast period |
2023-2028 |
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Forecast units |
Value (USD) |
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Segments Covered |
By platform, application, mode of operation, and region |
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Geographies covered |
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America & Africa |
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Companies covered |
Northrop Grumman Corporation(US), Raytheon Technologies Corporation(US), Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.(Israel), AeroVironment(US), Boeing(US) among others. |
Drone Warfare Market Highlights
This research report categorizes the Drone warfare markets based on capability, application, mode of operation, and region.
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Segment |
Subsegment |
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By Capability |
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By Application |
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By Mode of Operation |
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By Region |
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Recent Developments
- In December 2023, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, a division of General Atomics, was granted a USD 389 million contract to supply MQ-1C-25M Gray Eagle Modernized Extended Range systems to the U.S. Army. The fixed-price incentive award contract is slated for completion by November 29, 2024.
- In October 2023, both Ukrainian and Russian forces heavily employed remotely piloted drones such as the MQ-9 Reaper and Orlan-10 for reconnaissance, targeting, and launching attacks, underscoring their ongoing significance in contemporary warfare.
- In June 2023, the US Air Force effectively tested the Boeing Phantom Express, a hypersonic prototype surpassing Mach 5. This test signifies notable advancements in supersonic drone technology.
- In June 2023, Northrop Grumman secured a USD 1.4 billion contract to provide six additional MQ-4C Triton HALE UAVs to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). This expansion enhances Australia's existing fleet of three Tritons, fortifying its maritime surveillance and capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s):
What is the current size of the drone warfare market?
The drone warfare market is projected to grow from USD 20.1 billion in 2023 to USD 30.5 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 8.6%
Who are the winners in the drone warfare market?
Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), Raytheon Technologies Corporation (US), Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (Israel), General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) (US), and Teledyne FLIR LLC (US).
What are some potential future trends in the drone warfare market?
- The drone industry is witnessing significant advancements, marked by
- An increased integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the autonomous operation and decision-making capabilities of drones.
- Additionally, there is a notable trend towards the development of specialized drone types, specifically designed for tasks such as counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) operations. This specialization ensures that drones are tailored to effectively address specific challenges.
- Furthermore, the industry is placing a strong focus on counter-drone measures, recognizing the growing prevalence of drones and the imperative need for robust technologies to mitigate potential threats.
How do mobile ground control stations (MGCS) impact the drone warfare market?
Enhancing flexibility and portability, mobile ground control stations (GCS) offer the advantage of rapid deployment and operation in diverse environments. Their design focuses on improving responsiveness, enabling faster decision-making, and quicker reaction times in dynamic situations. Mobile GCS further showcases versatility by supporting a range of missions, including the control of drones for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), combat, and logistical operations. This integrated approach makes them a valuable asset in addressing evolving operational needs with efficiency and adaptability.
Which region is expected to hold highest market share in the drone warfare market?
Drone warfare market in the Europe region is estimated to hold the largest market share of 38.3% of the total market in 2023.
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This research study on the drones warfare market involved the extensive use of secondary sources, directories, and databases such as Hoovers, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and Factiva to identify and collect information relevant to the market. Primary sources included industry experts, service providers, manufacturers, solution providers, technology developers, alliances, and organizations related to all segments of this industry's value chain. In-depth interviews with primary respondents, including key industry participants, subject matter experts, industry consultants, and C-level executives, were conducted to obtain and verify critical qualitative and quantitative information about the drone warfare market and assess the market's growth prospects.
Secondary Research
The ranking analysis of companies in the drone warfare market was determined using secondary data from paid and unpaid sources and by analyzing major companies’ product portfolios and service offerings. These companies were rated based on the performance and quality of their products. These data points were further validated by primary sources.
Secondary sources referred for this research study on the drone warfare market included financial statements of companies offering drone warfare capability, along with various trade, business, and professional associations, among others. The secondary data was collected and analyzed to arrive at the overall size of the drone warfare market, which was validated by primary respondents.
In addition, the secondary research was used to obtain key information about the industry’s value chain and supply chain to identify key players operating in the market; market classifications and segmentation according to offerings of major players; and industry trends related to the capability, application, mode of operation, and regions as well as key developments in the market.
Primary Research
Extensive primary research was conducted after obtaining information about the current scenario of the drone warfare market through secondary research. Several primary interviews were conducted with market experts from both the demand and supply sides across six regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. This primary data was collected through questionnaires, emails, and telephonic interviews.
These interviews were conducted to gather insights such as market statistics, data on revenue collected from the products and services, market breakdowns, market size estimations, market size forecasting, and data triangulation. It also helped analyze the capability, application, and mode of operation segments of the market for six key regions.
To know about the assumptions considered for the study, download the pdf brochure
Market Size Estimation
- Both top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the size of the Drone warfare market.
- Key players were identified through secondary research, and their market ranking was determined through primary and secondary research. This included a study of annual and financial reports of the top market players and extensive interviews of leaders, including CEOs, directors, and marketing executives.
- All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns were determined using secondary sources and verified through primary sources. All possible parameters that affect the markets covered in this research study were accounted for, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to obtain the final quantitative and qualitative data. This data was consolidated, enhanced with detailed inputs, analyzed by MarketsandMarkets, and presented in this report.
Market size estimation methodology: Bottom-up Approach
Market size estimation methodology: Top-down Approach
Data triangulation
After arriving at the overall size of the drone warfare market from the market size estimation process explained above, the total market was split into several segments and subsegments. To complete the overall market engineering process and arrive at the exact statistics for various market segments and subsegments, data triangulation and market breakdown procedures explained below were implemented, wherever applicable. The data was triangulated by studying various factors and trends from both the demand and supply sides. Along with this, the market size was validated using both top-down and bottom-up approaches.
Market Definition
Drone warfare, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles, find application in diverse military roles like combat, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and delivery. The global armed forces increasingly embrace unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), including lethal drones, combat drones, and target drones. These drones can be remotely piloted, optionally piloted, or fully autonomous, and they are categorized based on platforms such as small, strategic, and tactical. High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) and Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones, characterized by extended endurance, serve as fixed platforms capable of carrying substantial ISR payloads and precision munitions for combat.
Stakeholders
Various stakeholders of the market are listed below:
- Military Drone Manufacturers
- Defence contractors
- Original Equipment Manufacturers
- Military Service Providers
- Payload & Warhead Suppliers
- Research Organizations
- Investors and Venture Capitalists
- Ministries of Defense
- R&D Companies
Report Objectives
- To define, describe, and forecast the size of the drone warfare market based on Capability, application, mode of operation and region from 2023 to 2028
- To forecast the size of market segments with respect to five major regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America and Africa.
- To identify and analyze key drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges influencing the growth of the market
- To strategically analyze micromarkets1 with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the market
- To analyze opportunities for stakeholders in the market by identifying key market trends
- To analyze competitive developments such as contracts, acquisitions, expansions, agreements, joint ventures and partnerships, product developments, and research and development (R&D) activities in the market
- To provide a detailed competitive landscape of the -market, in addition to an analysis of business and corporate strategies adopted by leading market players
- To strategically profile key market players and comprehensively analyze their core competencies2
1 Micromarkets are referred to as the segments and subsegments of the Drone warfare markets considered in the scope of the report.
2 Core competencies of companies were captured in terms of their key developments and key strategies adopted to sustain their positions in the market.
Available customizations
Along with the market data, MarketsandMarkets offers customizations as per the specific needs of companies. The following customization options are available for the report:
Product Analysis
- Product matrix, which gives a detailed comparison of the product portfolio of each company
Regional Analysis
- Further breakdown of the market segments at the country level
Company Information
- Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to 5)
Growth opportunities and latent adjacency in Drone Warfare by Cap