Military drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are remotely operated or autonomous aircraft designed for defense and security purposes. They are equipped with sensors, cameras, communication systems and weapons, enabling missions such as surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition and combat operations without exposing human pilots to danger. The primary purpose of military drones is to enhance operational effectiveness and safety by providing real-time intelligence, precision strikes and persistent monitoring in conflict zones or strategic areas.
The global military drones market reached a value of nearly $15,444.15 million in 2024, having grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.86% since 2019. The market is expected to grow from $15,444.15 million in 2024 to $26,539.16 million in 2029 at a rate of 11.44%. The market is then expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.92% from 2029 and reach $44,562.77 million in 2034.
Growing Focus On Unmanned Systems In Defense Applications
During historic period, growing focus on unmanned systems in defense applications drove of the military drones market. Defense organizations across the globe recognized the strategic advantages of drones, such as reducing risks to human life, enabling remote operations and enhancing real-time surveillance and intelligence gathering. Governments and military agencies invested heavily in unmanned aerial technologies to strengthen reconnaissance, target acquisition and combat capabilities. Additionally, the ability of drones to operate in diverse and high-risk environments provided cost-effective and flexible solutions for modern warfare, driving widespread adoption and expanding their role in defense strategies. For instance, in September 2025, according to the USNI News, a US-based non-profit organization, reported that Japan has approved record $60 billion defense budget prioritizing unmanned systems and long-range weapons Therefore, the growing focus on unmanned systems in defense applications drove the growth of the military drones market.
Strengthening Military Readiness With Modular And Multi-Mission Drone Innovations
Major companies operating in the military drones market are focusing on strategic collaborations and technology partnerships to develop advanced, modular and multi-mission drones that enhance electronic warfare, surveillance and defense capabilities for land, air and naval operations. For instance, in September 2025, Thales S.A., a France-based aerospace company, partnered with Autonomous Devices Limited, a UK-based defense and space manufacturing company, to develop EW-UAS, a versatile, modular drone-based electronic warfare system for naval and land forces. Thales provides an advanced payload capable of electronic support (detecting, identifying and locating threats) and electronic attack (jamming), while Autonomous Devices contributes a high-maneuverable, long-endurance drone. The turnkey solution leverages Thales' command-and-control expertise and airspace certification knowledge. EW-UAS enhances military capabilities by detecting anti-ship missiles, conducting jamming missions and extending radar surveillance coverage, using passive detection and deception tactics to protect sensitive assets. Initial testing is ongoing, signaling a major step in modern electronic warfare.
The global military drones market is highly concentrated, with large players operating in the market. The top 10 competitors in the market made up 56.50% of the total market in 2024.
Military Drones Global Market Opportunities And Strategies To 2034 from The Business Research Company provides the strategists; marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global military drones market as it emerges from the COVID-19 shut down.
Reasons to Purchase
- Gain a truly global perspective with the most comprehensive report available on this market covering 15 geographies.
- Understand how the market is being affected by the coronavirus and how it is likely to emerge and grow as the impact of the virus abates.
- Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis.
- Identify growth segments for investment.
- Outperform competitors using forecast data and the drivers and trends shaping the market.
- Understand customers based on the latest market research findings.
- Benchmark performance against key competitors.
- Utilize the relationships between key data sets for superior strategizing.
- Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high-quality data and analysis.
Where is the largest and fastest-growing market for military drones? How does the market relate to the overall economy; demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The military drones 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 history and forecasts market growth by geography. It places the market within the context of the wider military drones market; and compares it with other markets.
The report covers the following chapters
- Introduction And Market Characteristics- Brief introduction to the segmentations covered in the market, definitions and explanations about the segment by product by size and by application.
- Key Trends- Highlights the major trends shaping the global market. This section also highlights likely future developments in the market.
- Growth Analysis And Strategic Analysis Framework- Analysis on PESTEL, end use industries, market growth rate, global historic (2019-2024) and forecast (2024-2029, 2034F) market values and drivers and restraints that support and control the growth of the market in the historic and forecast periods, forecast growth contributors and total addressable market (TAM).
- Global Market Size And Growth- Global historic (2019-2024) and forecast (2024-2029, 2034F) market values and drivers and restraints that support and control the growth of the market in the historic and forecast periods.
- Regional And Country Analysis- Historic (2019-2024) and forecast (2024-2029, 2034F) market values and growth and market share comparison by region and country.
- Market Segmentation- Contains the market values (2019-2024) (2024-2029, 2034F) and analysis for each segment by drone type, by technology, by type and by application in the market. Historic (2019-2024) and forecast (2024-2029) and (2029-2034) market values and growth and market share comparison by region market.
- Regional Market Size And Growth- Regional market size (2024), historic (2019-2024) and forecast (2024-2029, 2034F) market values and growth and market share comparison of countries within the region. This report includes information on all the regions Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa and major countries within each region.
- Competitive Landscape- Details on the competitive landscape of the market, estimated market shares and company profiles of the leading players.
- Other Major And Innovative Companies- Details on the company profiles of other major and innovative companies in the market.
- Competitive Benchmarking- Briefs on the financials comparison between major players in the market.
- Competitive Dashboard- Briefs on competitive dashboard of major players.
- Key Mergers And Acquisitions- Information on recent mergers and acquisitions in the market covered in the report. This section gives key financial details of mergers and acquisitions, which have shaped the market in recent years.
- Recent Developments- Information on recent developments in the market covered in the report.
- Market Opportunities And Strategies- Describes market opportunities and strategies based on findings of the research, with information on growth opportunities across countries, segments and strategies to be followed in those markets.
- Conclusions And Recommendations- This section includes recommendations for military drones providers in terms of product/service offerings geographic expansion, marketing strategies and target groups.
- Appendix- This section includes details on the NAICS codes covered, abbreviations and currencies codes used in this report.
Markets Covered:
- 1) By Drone Type: Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE); High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE); Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV); Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV); Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SUAV)
- 2) By Technology: Remotely Operated; Semi-Autonomous; Autonomous
- 3) By Type: Fixed-Wing; Rotary Wing; Hybrid
- 4) By Application: Search And Rescue; National Defense; Military Exercises; Other Applications
- Companies Mentioned: Lockheed Martin Corporation; Northrop Grumman Corp.; Thales Group; Raytheon Technologies Corporation; The Boeing Company
- Countries: China; Australia; India; Indonesia; Japan; South Korea; USA; Canada; Brazil; France; Germany; UK; Italy; Spain; Russia
- 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; military drones indicators comparison.
- 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.