Military Surveillance Drones Market Size

Global Military Surveillance Drone Market Overview

Military Surveillance Drone Market Size was valued at USD 1.23156 billion in 2023. The Military Surveillance Drone industry is projected to grow from USD 1.378854576 Billion in 2024 to USD 3.04059 billion by 2032,exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.39%during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). The flow of increased defense budget into the research and development of UAVs and drones are the key market drivers enhancing the market growth.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Military Surveillance Drone Market Trends

The government funding for military drones is increasing to enhance the efficiency of military operations. This will boost demand and increase the production of military drones. According to a report published by the Bard College Center for the Study of the Drone, in 2019, the US Navy's funding for unmanned systems increased by USD 1 billion (38%), and the US Army's funding increased by USD 719 million (73%) when compared to 2018. The US Department of Defense (DOD) also requested approximately USD 9.39 billion for drones and associated technologies in the fiscal year 2019, representing a significant expansion of 26% in drone spending over the 2018 budget, which was USD 7.5 billion. The DOD has been allocated about USD 7.5 billion in the fiscal year 2021 for a variety of robotic platforms and related technologies, according to a recent study by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. Most of the global defense spending is attributed to the development and procurement of drones.

For instance, in September 2021, BAE Systems and Malloy Aeronautics announced plans to explore developing an all-electric 'heavy lift' unmanned air system (UAS) as a potential new solution to deliver cost-effective, sustainable rapid response capability to military, security, and civilian customers. Moreover, the security of key institutions has been greatly enhanced with advanced video surveillance and access control systems. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are used for tactical planning and surveillance of major events or gatherings in large cities. Such factors are expected to fuel the growth of the global military drone market during the forecast period.

Additionally,Drone technology has witnessed strong growth in the past years due to continuous research & development and innovation enhancing its capabilities. The drones are incorporated with modern sensors, LiDAR, GNSS, high-tech cameras, and thermal and infrared imaging systems. The most advanced drones have multiple sensor systems, such as communication intelligence sensors, air-to-air missiles, and global mobile communication (GSM) systems. Nowadays, the most advanced unmanned aerial vehicles can carry several payloads attached to large sensors and internal weapons bays. Artificial intelligence (AI) is being adopted commercially for autonomous flight systems for high-altitude military UAVS. This is expected to predict well for the global military drone market growth in the forthcoming years. The weapon payload includes missile and guided bomb units.Thus, driving the Military Surveillance Drone market revenue.

Military Surveillance Drone MarketSegment Insights

Based on drone type, the Military Surveillance Drone Market segmentation includes fixed wing drone, rotary blades, and hybrid drones. The fixed-wing segment is estimated to hold the highest military drone market share in 2021 and continue its dominance throughout the forecast period. Fixed-wing aerial vehicles can typically carry greater payloads for longer distances and flying times while using less power than VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) UAVs. This makes them ideal for long-distance missions like mapping, surveillance, and defense, in which lengthy endurance is critical and hence is significantly used in the defense sector by various armed forces worldwide. These factors are predicted to propel the segment growth through the projection period.The rotary-wing segment is anticipated to showcase significant growth worldwide in the coming years, owing to the increasing development of quad-copters. Quad-copters are heavy load carriers widely used for transportation and logistics applications across the globe. Rotary wing drones are also used in tactical operations for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

Figure1: Military Surveillance Drone Market, byDrone Type, 2022&2032(USD billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Based on Payload, the Military Surveillance Drone Market segmentation includes electro-optic/infrared sensor, cameras, electronic intelligence, maritime patrol radar, and others. The electro-Optic/Infrared Sensorsegment dominated the market. The growth of the segment is attributed to the growing incorporation of infrared sensors and Advanced long-range communication systems.For Instance, March 2022 Gambit is an Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) designed through digital engineering to speed its time to market and lower acquisition costs. The jet-powered platform is being built for air dominance and will heavily leverage artificial intelligence and autonomous systems advances.For Instance, December 2021 the Mojave is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of short takeoff and landing (STOL). Mojave takes a Gray Eagle fuselage and adds enlarged wings with high-lift devices and a Rolls Royce 450-horsepower turboprop engine. The UAS is based on the avionics and flight control systems of the MQ-9 Reaper and the MQ-1C Gray Eagle- Extended Range.

Based on Technology, the Military Surveillance Drone Market segmentation includes hardware, software. The Hardware sensor segment dominated the market. The Hardware operated drone segment is projected to have the highest share of the market during the forecast period. Most commissioned UAVS are operated by Hardware worldwide due to rigorous government requirements for long-range autonomous flying. For Command & control (C&C) and other telemetry systems, as well as radio communications.

The Software segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Several growing economies are focused on innovating and developing autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles to provide tactical and strategic services.

By Region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The North American military surveillance drone market area will dominate this market. Their rapidly improving economic conditions and the growing need to strengthen national security by acquiring technologically advanced equipment like Military Drones for surveillance will boost the market growth in this Region.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The U.S., Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure2: GLOBALMILITARY SURVEILLANCE DRONE MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (%)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Europe's Military Surveillance Drone market accounts for the second-largest market share due to theflow of increased defense budget into the research and development of UAVs and drones. Further, the German Military Surveillance Drone market held the largest market share, and the UK Military Surveillance Drone market was the fastest-growing market in the European Region.

The Asia-Pacific Military Surveillance Drone Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2032. This is due to expanding awareness of a healthy lifestyle and nutrition and rising per capita disposable income. Moreover, China’s Military Surveillance Drone market held the largest market share, and the IndianMilitary Surveillance Drone market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

For instance, Americans are actively pursuing a physically active lifestyle and becoming more health-prone. An increase has aided the expansion and growth of the industry in the number of health clubs and fitness facilities across the nation.

Military surveillance drone Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market players are investing heavily in research and development to expand their product lines, which will help the military surveillance drone market grow even more. Market participants are also undertaking various strategic activities to expand their global footprint, with important market developments including new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, higher investments, and collaboration with other organizations. The military surveillance drone industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in a more competitive and rising market climate.

Manufacturing locally to minimize operational costs is one of the key business tactics manufacturers use in the global Military Surveillance Drone industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. In recent years, the Military Surveillance Drone industry has offered some of the most significant advantages to the military. Major players in the Military Surveillance Drone market, including Boeing, Airbus Corporation,Lockheed Martin,Northrop Grumman Corporation,Thales Group,Saab Group, and others, are attempting to increase market demand by investing in research and development operations.

MacOS Mojave is the fifteenth major release of macOS, Apple Inc.'s desktop operating system for Macintosh computers. Mojave was announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 4, 2018, and was released to the public on September 24, 2018. The Mojave is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of short takeoff and landing (STOL). Mojave takes a Gray Eagle fuselage and adds enlarged wings with high-lift devices and a Rolls Royce 450-horsepower turboprop engine. The UAS is based on the avionics and flight control systems of the MQ-9 Reaper and the MQ-1C Gray Eagle- Extended Range.

Teledyne FLIR LLC, formerly FLIR Systems Inc, a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies, specializes in designing and producing thermal imaging cameras and sensors. Its main customers are governments, and in 2020, approximately 31% of its revenues were from the federal government of the United States and its agencies.Teledyne FLIR Defense, a part of Teledyne FLIR LLC, announced the launch of the ION M640x tactical Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). The UAS builds on the capabilities of the ION M440 (a Blue sUAS) and will provide military and other government customers with best-in-class capabilities for their unique missions.

• Boeing Airbus Corporation


• Lockheed Martin


• Northrop Grumman Corporation


• Thales Group


• Saab Group

For Instance, October 2021 Teledyne FLIR Defense, a part of Teledyne FLIR LLC, announced the ION M640x tactical Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) launch. The UAS builds on the capabilities of the ION M440 (a Blue sUAS) and will provide military and other government customers with best-in-class capabilities for their unique missions.For Instance, March 2021 The Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat, previously known as the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS) and the Loyal Wingman project, completed its first test flight.For Instance, January 2022 Long Runner is a strategic UAV controlled by satellite communication with a precise automated takeoff and landing (ATOL) capability. This innovative capability offers the utmost operational flexibility by eliminating the need for a ground control station and flight crew to be allocated at the aircraft's forward base.

Military Surveillance Drone Market Segmentation

• Fixed Wing Drone


• Rotary Blade Drone


• Hybrid Drone

• Electro-Optic/Infrared Sensor


• Cameras


• Electronic Intelligence


• Maritime Patrol Radar


• Others

• Hardware


• Software

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America