Small Drone Global Market Report 2025

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.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp increase in U.S. tariffs and resulting trade disputes in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the aerospace and defense sector. Prices for key materials such as titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics primarily sourced from international suppliers have surged. Defense contractors, constrained by fixed-price government contracts, are forced to absorb these rising costs. Meanwhile, commercial aerospace companies are encountering resistance from airlines over increased aircraft prices. In addition, customs delays are disrupting already tight production timelines for jets and satellites. In response, the industry is stockpiling essential materials, pursuing import waivers for defense-related goods, and working with allied nations to diversify supply chains.

The small drones market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company 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 size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $5.72 billion in 2024 to $6.43 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4%. 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 $10.09 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.9%. 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 forecast of 11.9% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.5% from the previous estimate for this market.This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US through supply chain disruptions for miniaturized flight controllers, sourced from key regions such as China, Taiwan, and Switzerland, which could limit reconnaissance drone availability.The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

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.

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.

Small Drone Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses on small drone 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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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for small drone? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The small drone market global report from the Business Research Company 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 forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.

• 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.
• 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 Type: Fixed Wing; Rotary Wing
• 2) By Operation: Remotely Piloted; Optionally Piloted; Fully Autonomous
• 3) By Power Source: Fuel; Battery
• 4) By Application: Military; Commercial
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Fixed Wing: Conventional Fixed Wing Drones; Hybrid Fixed Wing Drones; Electric Fixed Wing Drones
• 2) By Rotary Wing: Quadcopters; Hexacopters; Octocopters; Single Rotor Drones
• Companies Mentioned: 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
• 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 Segmentations: 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.