Target Drone Market Research Report

Global Target Drone Market Size:

The global target drone market size reached USD 5.7 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 9.2 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.18% during 2025-2033. The extensive demand for advanced defense systems, significant technological advancements, higher defense budgets, the widespread adoption of drones in various industries and the presence of major manufacturers are some of the key factors stimulating the global market for target drone.

Global Target Drone Market Analysis:

• Major Market Drivers: The most critical factors for the target drone markets are the increased use of military training exercises, where the military exercise scenarios are made more real, and the armed forces become more prepared. Also, the unpremeditated improvements of drone technology broaden the scope of the equipment and make them serve as the key elements for the assessment of the defense system. In addition to propulsion, national security is yet another major reason for the ever-rising demand of rockets. Furthermore, the progress of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) regulations, seems to be indicative of future expansion of the product market, as reflected by the impressive growth.
• Key Market Trends: Growing target drones market is prevalent because of the rising shoot training systems demand which are highly sophisticated. The drones play both offensive and defensive roles and increase the confidence level in certain military systems means of simulations. An increasing share of budget allocation and the proliferation of supersonic attack drones and surface warship training troops in electronic threats are pushing the market penetration up.
• Competitive Landscape: Some of the major market players in the global target drone industry include Air Affairs Australia, Airbus SE, Denel Dynamics, Embention, Griffon Aerospace, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc., Leonardo S.p.A., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, QinetiQ and Saab AB
• Geographical Trends: North America holds the largest portion of the target drone market share. This technology boom in this region can be attributed to their advanced military capabilities, well-funded defense budgets, and the presence of the world’s top manufacturers. The future of target drones is expected to be largely demanding by the huge defense system needs during the upcoming years. This eventually boosts the market since drones are now used in different industries such as agriculture, infrastructure, transport and entertainment.
• Challenges and Opportunities: One key challenge faced by the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) market is the higher manufacturing costs as compared to other types of drones, which become exacerbated by the existence of many tight regulations. On the other hand, there are various opening doors in the industry as the adoption of autonomous systems get higher and AI technology is applied more. The relationship of special payloads and sensors will increase capacity of the target drones. Also, the increasing popularity of counter-UAV systems together with the rising sale figure of the target drone system offers big administration field. The market is affected by a great factor of the increased defense spending worldwide.

Global Target Drone Market Trends:

Technological Advancements

The main force that fuels the growth of the target drone market is technological advancement. Drone technology innovations have led to the development of highly skilled drones with advanced capabilities and quality. Such breakthroughs include an enhanced control of the flights, navigation, carrying capacity, and adaptability. With the advancement of technology, drones are finding themselves as a more productive and versatile option for more applications in the defense domain. According to an article published in Financial Express, India is posited to become a drone hub by 2030, as stated by the Prime Minister himself at the launch of Drone Yatra 2.0 – one of the many key initiatives undertaken by the Government of India (GoI) towards enriching the drone sector.

In addition to the aforementioned, in April 2024, 3 prominent Israeli drone companies, High Lander Aviation, Sentrycs, and Cando Drones, hosted a three-day demonstration titled Caesarea Live Display 2024 at Caesarea Business Park, Israel to exhibit an autonomous security solution designed to counter threats from both ground and air. Such exhibitions of technological advancements of drones contribute significantly to the market growth.

Increasing Defense Budgets

The other major driver behind the market growth of target drones is the rising trend of budget expenditures on defense all over the world. Rise in budget expenditure on defense makes room for tangible investment in modern defense inventories, like target drones. For instance, the autonomous stealthy unmanned combat air vehicle is being developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), under the banner of Ghatak, thereby offering the Indian Air Force (IAF) a capability to combat its enemy wirelessly. The first launch of the full-fledged configuration is likely to be done by 2025-2026. Moreover, the Indian Army has deployed 7 new indigenous integrated drone detection and interdiction systems (IDD&IS) along the northern borders. These systems, developed by DRDO and Bharat Electronics, provide both “soft kills” through jamming and “hard kills” using lasers, with a detection range of 5 to 8 km. Meanwhile, DRDO is working on more powerful directed energy weapon (DEW) systems like high-energy lasers and high-powered microwaves, aiming to enhance India's defense capabilities. These initiatives for strengthening the defense sector by the governments are driving the market toward growth.

Widespread Adoption Across Various Sectors

The market is also being driven by the widespread adoption of drones across various sectors ranging from defense and military to agriculture. For instance, DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, introduced the DJI Dock 2 in March 2024, an advanced “Drone in a Box” (DIAB) solution designed to enhance automated drone operations across a variety of sectors. Featuring the newly developed DJI Matrice 3D/3TD drones, DJI Dock 2 promises a compact, efficient, and versatile solution for enterprises looking to optimize operations such as surveying, inspections, asset management, and security through automated aerial technology. Moreover, as stated in an article in The Economic Times in March 2024, the launch of Namo Drone Didis by the Government of India (GoI) aims to connect 15,000 self-help groups (SHGs) with the goal of training women to become drone pilots. These drones will be utilized for agricultural purposes, such as crop monitoring, fertilizer spraying, and seed sowing, providing additional income opportunities for numerous women.

Global Target Drone Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on fit type, engine type, mode of operation, application and end use.

Breakup by Fit Type:

• Line Fit
• Retro Fit
   

Line Fit dominates the market 

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the fit type. This includes line fit and retro fit. According to the report, line fit represented the largest segment.

 The expansion of the target-drone market aim overall at both the increased defence spending, particularly in the emerging countries, and the focus on the improved military training. This rate is further accelerated by the evolution of weaponry systems and their ever increasing use of drones as well as the trend of conducting performance evaluation, testing, and training.

Breakup by Engine Type:

• Internal Combustion Engine
• Jet Engine
• Others
   

Internal Combustion Engine dominates the market 

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the engine type. This includes internal combustion engine, jet engine and others. According to the report, internal combustion engine represented the largest segment.

The swift development of the vehicle performance, the high car population and the high demand on high-end vehicles are the reasons of the rapidly developing market. On the other hand, the continuous development of technology, used for environmental clean-up and improvement in fuel efficiency, is also contributing to the emerging trend.

Breakup by Mode of Operation:

• Autonomous
• Remotely Piloted
   

Autonomous dominates the market 

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the mode of operation. This includes autonomous and remotely piloted. According to the report, autonomous represented the largest segment.

The growth of autonomous vehicle market is supported by factors namely technological innovations, enhanced investments in digital infrastructures, and the knowledge-based economy. Alongside the various government initiatives, regulations for the hybrid and electric vehicles are equally important and have a major effect. Moreover, the mobility-as-a-service concept and ride-sharing services also contribute to the increasing market spread.

Breakup by Application:

• Combat Training
• Target and Decoy
• Target Identification
• Target Acquisition
• Others
   

Combat Training dominates the market

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the application. This includes combat training, target and decoy, target identification, target acquisition and others. According to the report, combat training represented the largest segment.

With the intensification of geopolitical tension and surging military budget globally become the important push factors. Modernized military capabilities like high combat skills are to many extend of force to market growth. Development of the second-generation aircraft has resulted in a boom of the pilots market. Moreover, the combat training necessity had deepened by the Russia-Ukraine dilemma that has accelerated the market growth.

Breakup by End Use:

• Defense
• Commercial
   

Defense dominates the market

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the end use. This includes defense and commercial. According to the report, defense represented the largest segment.

Rising global tensions combined with rapid defense budget increase are crucial factors. Modern technology in the form of creation of smart weaponry raises the question of ever-growing military potential as well. The designing of criticial missions and ways to fight off cyberattacks has become a priority. Consequently, acquirement of novel systems for the replacement of the aging equipment in the defense force is another reason for procurements.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

North America dominates the market 

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (United States, Canada); Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Others); Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, Others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Others) and Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America accounted for the largest market share.

North America’s highly developed technological environment together with strong defense industry are decisive factor for dominance. The fact that some of the world’s biggest drone manufacturers and technology companies are involved in drone technology is another equally important aspect of it. Additionally, multi-industry application, for instance, agriculture, entertainment, security, and insurance, is the market growth factor. The region's regulatory framework that boosts the usage of drones and the high acceptance of new technology among North Americans, brings this market at the forefront of the market targeting drones. Thereby, by synergizing the technological advancement, the industry variety and the favorable regulations, North America becomes the biggest market for target drones.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided. Some of the major market players in global target drone industry include:

• Air Affairs Australia
• Airbus SE
• Denel Dynamics
• Embention
• Griffon Aerospace
• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc.
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• QinetiQ
• Saab AB
   

(Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.)

Global Target Drone Market News:

• Signing of an MoU with Haarodons to collaborate with each other in offering drone diploma and certificate courses has been accomplished by DroneAcharya. Furthermore, the company has won a project related to Adani Group to carry out an approved drone pilot training course by the DGCA.
• While the Indian drone industry seeks to repackage the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) formulated by the government in 2021 by Policy think tankers, it aim to take over export market by supply chain management. In 2024-25 Indian domestic drone manufacturing industry is expected to turnover at a high magnitude/number.
• The federal ministry of civil aviation published the national drone policy, finally removing the regulatory bottlenecks and obstacles for people and businesses to own and operate drones.

Target Drone Market Report Scope:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the target drone market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global target drone market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the target drone industry and its attractiveness.
• The competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides insight into the current positions of key players in the market.