The military drone market size attained a value of USD 15.57 Billion in 2025. The industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.50% during the forecast period of 2026-2035. By 2035, the market is expected to reach USD 38.59 Billion.
The surging defence budgets worldwide are driving the growth of the military drone market. Countries, such as India, China, and Saudi Arabia are significantly boosting UAV procurement to modernize their armed forces. In March 2025, the Chinese government announced a national defence budget of USD 249 billion (CNY 1.81 trillion) for the current year. This financial commitment is supporting research, development, and acquisition of advanced drones for expanding capabilities from surveillance to armed strike. The availability of larger budgets is also enabling investments in cutting-edge technologies, further accelerating the market’s expansion globally.
Military forces are increasingly adopting autonomous drone technologies to enhance operational efficiency and reduce human risk, adding to the military drone market revenue. Advanced AI algorithms are enabling drones to perform complex tasks without constant human control. For instance, in October 2024, Red Cat Holdings, Inc. partnered with Palladyne AI Corp. to enhance the autonomy of all Teal drones by integrating the latter’s AI-driven Pilot software. Moreover, autonomous drones help to reduce pilot workload, improve mission success rates, and enable swarm tactics. This shift is fostering the market development.
Swarm drone technology, where numerous UAVs operate collaboratively, is growing as a transformative force in the military drone market. Swarms help overwhelm enemy defences, conduct area surveillance, and execute complex coordinated attacks. The United States Navy and DARPA have tested swarm drones capable of autonomous cooperation. China and Russia are also investing heavily in swarm capabilities. This trend is enhancing tactical options and force multiplication, further driving significant research and development investments globally.
Base Year
Historical Period
Forecast Period
Compound Annual Growth Rate
9.5%
Value in USD Billion
2026-2035
*this image is indicative*
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The rising popularity of smaller and portable drones, especially for tactical units requiring rapid deployment and ease of use, is driving the military drone market expansion. Lightweight, hand-launched drones enable infantry units to conduct immediate reconnaissance without heavy logistical support. The rising use of micro and nano drones is also opening new operational roles, such as indoor surveillance and electronic warfare. For instance, in January 2025, The Indian Army inducted Black Hornet nano drones to boost surveillance capabilities with compact, stealthy, and real-time reconnaissance.
Increasing flight endurance and operational range is contributing to the military drone industry. Long-endurance drones can stay aloft for over 24 hours by providing persistent surveillance or strike capabilities. Improvements in fuel efficiency, aerodynamics, and energy storage including hybrid-electric propulsion are extending drone mission duration. In November 2024, GE Aerospace successfully demonstrated a one-megawatt hybrid electric propulsion system for the United States Army. This allows militaries to conduct extended operations without frequent landings and refuelling, further expanding operational reach and effectiveness.
Naval forces are increasingly adopting drones for maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and ship defence, further complimenting the military drone market development. As per industry reports, the U.S. Navy had a budget of USD 172 million in 2024 for small as well as medium-sized underwater sea drones. With increasing naval tensions, the demand for shipborne and maritime drones is rising sharply. This expansion is driving the development of waterproof, corrosion-resistant drones with enhanced payloads for maritime applications.
Global defence collaborations are benefitting the military drone market value. Countries are partnering on drone development to share technology, reduce costs, and standardize platforms. In January 2025, Italy actively sought to involve India in the Eurodrone project, which is a collaborative European initiative involving France, Germany, and Spain as a significant measure towards improving the global defence cooperation. These partnerships are accelerating innovation, improving interoperability among allies as well as expanding the global market reach for manufacturers.
Effective drone operations requiring skilled operators and integrated training programs are driving the military drone industry. Simulation technologies are helping militaries to train pilots and command staff in virtual environments while reducing costs and risks. In December 2024, Saab introduced an advanced training system for enhancing military exercises by simulating hostile and friendly scenarios, adding to the trend. Surging demand for realistic training solutions is also supporting the broader military drone ecosystem, ensuring effective deployment and maximizing the operational impact of unmanned systems.
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The EMR’s report titled “Military Drone Market Report and Forecast 2026-2035” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:
Market Breakup by Product Type
Key Insight: The fixed wing segment dominates the military drone market due to their superior range, speed, and endurance, making them ideal for long-duration surveillance and combat missions. Fixed wing drones are widely adopted across major defence forces. In July 2024, Firebird Drone launched its emergency response fixed-wing drone to enhance rapid response in crisis situations with superior aerial intelligence, further reinforcing the segment growth. Furthermore, these UAVs resemble traditional aircraft and rely on forward motion to generate lift with an ability to carry heavy payloads and operate at high altitudes.
Market Breakup by Technology
Key Insight: Remotely operated drones dominate the military drone market due to their reliability, operator control, and widespread deployment. For instance, in March 2022, DroneSense introduced remote drone operations software to offer public safety. These drones are controlled in real-time by human operators, such as remote ground stations and command centres, allowing precise mission execution. The remote piloting of these drones allows high-stakes decisions to be made by experienced personnel while maintaining safety and control. Surging adoption in missions requiring accountability, dynamic threat response, and strategic coordination is also driving the segment growth.
Market Breakup by Range
Key Insight: The visual line of sight (VLOS) segment, where drone pilots maintain direct sight of the UAV during flight, is a leading segment of the military drone market. This method ensures high control and immediate response, critical for close-range reconnaissance, tactical surveillance, and training missions. VLOS is further preferred for its simplicity, safety, and reliability, especially in contested or complex environments where maintaining visual contact mitigates risks of loss or interference. To support with an instance, in January 2025, Shield AI’s single-engine vertical take-off and landing system V-BAT was selected as the first maritime ISR Platform in Japan’s self-defence force.
Market Breakup by System
Key Insight: The airframe is a fast-growing segment of the military drone market due to its foundational role in defining physical structure, endurance, and stealth capabilities. Modern military drones are relying heavily on advanced composite materials for lightweight and radar-evading designs. Airframes directly impact aerodynamics, payload capacity, and mission range. Growing efforts on airframe innovation is continuing to cater to highly specialized structural solutions in diverse combat and reconnaissance roles. For instance, in January 2025, General Atomics unveiled its electric drone launch system designed for Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers for enhancing naval unmanned aircraft deployment capabilities.
Market Breakup by Application
Key Insight: The intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (ISRT) segment is gaining traction in the military drone market as it forms the backbone of modern warfare strategies. Military drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, thermal sensors, and real-time data links are making way for innovations for providing critical battlefield intelligence, enemy movement tracking, and target acquisition. In September 2024, Draganfly unveiled the APEX Drone, tailored for advanced surveillance in military and law enforcement operations worldwide. APEX drone is engineered with up to 45 minutes of flight time and a payload capacity of 5 pounds. ISRT is further essential for both pre-combat planning and ongoing operations, driving continued investment and innovation across major global defence forces.
Market Breakup by Region
Key Insight: North America military drone market is driven by substantial defence budgets, technological superiority, and large-scale adoption. The United States deploys advanced drones for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeted strikes worldwide. In October 2024, the U.S. Army acquired solar-powered drones capable of long-endurance flights to enhance persistent surveillance across Pacific operational zones. Such instances are driving major defence companies to continuously innovate autonomous systems to cater to strategic and tactical applications. The region’s dominance is also underpinned by operational experience, government-backed initiatives, and global military commitments.
Hybrid & Rotary Wing Military Drones to Witness Higher Popularity
The hybrid military drone market share is expanding due to the rising versatility in missions requiring agility and extended reach without runway dependency. Hybrid drones are gaining traction in specialized military applications, such as surveillance in difficult terrains or naval operations. For instance, in March 2023, TSAW Drones unveiled its indigenous hybrid fixed wing VTOL drone Adarna V2 to offer excellent payload capacity in defence and surveillance. Surging utility is further positioning hybrid drones as a significant segment in the market.
The rotary wing segment in the military drone market is growing with critical roles in close-range reconnaissance, tactical surveillance, and supply delivery. These drones are highly manoeuvrable, capable of vertical take-off and landing, hovering, and operating in confined or rugged environments. Ongoing advancements in battery life, payload capacity, and autonomous navigation for enhancing operational value is also adding to the segment growth.
Escalating Adoption of Semi-Autonomous & Autonomous Military Drones
Semi-autonomous drones are a growing segment in the military drone market as they offer programmed operations and human oversight in autonomously performing tasks, such as take-off, navigation and target tracking with human input for key decisions. This balance provides enhanced operational efficiency while maintaining ethical and legal control over lethal actions. Semi-autonomous drones are also increasingly deployed in contested environments where rapid adaptation is needed, marking a transition between manual operation and full autonomy in modern military doctrine.
Autonomous drones represent the most technologically advanced segment in the military drone industry as they are designed to operate without real-time human intervention. Using advanced technologies, these drones navigate, identify targets, and execute missions independently. The accelerating research and development in this area is making way for innovations. Highlighting this, in May 2025, Latvian startup Origin Robotics introduced autonomous interceptor drone BLAZE, designed for destroying enemy drones. Furthermore, autonomous drones have the potential to transform battlefield strategies by offering coordinated, rapid, and scalable solutions in future conflict scenarios.
EVLOS & BVLOS Military Drones to Record Significant Preference
The extended visual line of sight (EVLOS) is an emerging segment of the military drone market as it extends the visual range of drone operators for allowing control beyond direct line of sight but within a limited distance. This capability enhances mission scope without fully relying on autonomous navigation. Military applications include border patrols and perimeter security, where drones use EVLOS to monitor larger areas while maintaining operator oversight. EVLOS further bridges the gap between VLOS and fully autonomous operations for increasing operational flexibility while addressing regulatory and safety concerns.
The beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) segment represents the fastest-growing segment of the military drone industry as it enables drones to operate beyond the operator’s visual range using advanced sensors, GPS, and AI-driven navigation. This segment is vital for long-range reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike missions due to its ability of operating hundreds of kilometres away from control stations. In January 2025, ZenaTech launched a BVLOS drone testing facility across Turkey for United States Defense as well as NATO-Destined ZenaDrone 1000 Drones, favouring market expansion. BVLOS is further critical for future military operations demanding extensive coverage and autonomy.
Military Drone Avionics & Propulsion Systems to See Higher Deployment
Avionics represents a crucial segment of the military drone market as it incorporates navigation, communication, flight control systems, and onboard sensors. In military drones, avionics systems are enabling precise GPS navigation, autonomous operations, and secure real-time data transmission. Enhanced avionics are supporting electronic warfare, target acquisition, and threat detection. For instance, in March 2025, uAvionix launched the Trade-up to Certified program for offering unmanned aerial system operators certified avionics upgrades for improved performance and compliance. With strong focus on electronic countermeasures and AI-assisted decision-making, the demand for advanced avionics in drones is rising.
In the military drone market, propulsion systems vary by application and drone size. Turboprop engines dominate medium-altitude, long-endurance drones offering fuel efficiency, power, and long-range capabilities essential for surveillance and strike missions. Electric propulsion engines, popular in small tactical drones, provide quiet, low-thermal-signature operation ideal for stealth reconnaissance. Meanwhile, turboshaft engines power rotary-wing and VTOL drones by delivering agility and vertical lift for rapid deployment in naval and special operations, exemplified by platforms. Each propulsion type fulfils distinct military requirements across diverse mission profiles.
Surging Military Drone Usage in Combat Operations & Battle Damage Management
Combat operations applications are influencing the military drone market, particularly with the growing use of armed UAVs in asymmetric warfare. Of late, drones are equipped with precision-guided munitions, enabling remote strikes on high-value targets with minimal collateral damage. The combat role of drones is expanding rapidly, making this segment increasingly vital in modern military doctrine. In March 2025, Ukraine launched its large-scale military project Drone Line for strengthening its unmanned combat capabilities, further complimenting the segment growth.
The battle damage management segment in the military drone industry plays a key role in post-strike assessments and battlefield recovery. Drones assist in evaluating structural damage, identifying unexploded ordnance, and monitoring enemy losses after engagements whilst providing rapid visual confirmation without exposing personnel to danger. Battle damage management is further critical for improving operational efficiency, minimizing risk, and refining targeting strategies. With improving autonomous drone capabilities, the role of drones in damage assessment is further likely to expand.
Thriving Military Drone Markets in Europe & Asia Pacific
Europe is largely contributing to the military drone industry due to increasing investments in border surveillance, and tactical UAVs amid growing geopolitical tensions. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has accelerated drone adoption across NATO member states, driving demand for both surveillance and combat drones. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany are investing in several programs and partnerships to enhance regional capabilities. Leonardo, Airbus, and BAE Systems are key European players expanding indigenous development. Europe's regulatory environment, coupled with cross-border defence collaboration are further supporting the regional market expansion.
Asia Pacific military drone market value is growing with rising security concerns, territorial disputes, and modernization efforts. China leads in both production and export, with several platforms used domestically and sold abroad. India is advancing indigenous systems and has collaborated with major countries for drone technology. South Korea, Japan, and Australia are also scaling up their UAV fleets. In May 2024, South Korea revealed plans of doubling its military drone fleet by 2026 for bolstering its defence capabilities, further offering Asia Pacifica a strong future potential.
Key players in the military drone market are adopting a range of strategic approaches to maintain competitiveness and meet the evolving defence needs. With technological innovation, firms are investing heavily in research and development to develop autonomous systems, enhanced AI capabilities, stealth features, and extended endurance drones. These advancements are improving surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike capabilities for meeting the complex demands of modern warfare. Companies are collaborating with governments, defence agencies, and technology firms to secure long-term contracts and accelerate innovation.
Product diversification is another key tactic as manufacturers are offering a variety of drones from micro and tactical UAVs to high-altitude long-endurance systems tailored for different missions and budgets. This approach expands their client base across militaries of varying scale. Global expansion is pursued by targeting emerging markets in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, where military modernization is driving demand. Additionally, players are focusing on cost efficiency and scalability by offering modular drone systems that can be upgraded or adapted for specific missions.
Saab AB, founded in 1937 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden specializes in defence and security technologies, offering products, such as surveillance systems, combat aircraft, and military drones. Saab’s UAV solutions focus on intelligence, reconnaissance, and battlefield awareness, supporting both national defence and international military operations.
General Atomics, founded in 1955 and is based in San Diego, the United States, is renowned for its advanced technologies in nuclear energy and defence, particularly for its unmanned aerial systems. The company’s MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper drones are widely used by the U.S. military and allied forces globally.
Lockheed Martin Corporation, founded in 1995 with its headquarters in Bethesda, the United States, is a global leader in aerospace and defence, offering a broad range of military aircraft, missiles, and unmanned systems. The firm’s drone portfolio supports surveillance, combat missions, and electronic warfare capabilities across multiple domains.
Trexton Inc., founded in 1979 and headquartered in Ohio in the United States is recognized for its work in advanced electronics and communications technologies. Trexton offers specialized UAV systems and components for supporting military operations with cutting-edge solutions in data transmission, control systems, and drone-based applications.
*Please note that this is only a partial list; the complete list of key players is available in the full report. Additionally, the list of key players can be customized to better suit your needs.*
Other players in the military drone market are Elbit Systems Ltd, Thales Group, BAE Systems Plc, Northrop Grumman Company, AeroVironment Inc., Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., and Boeing, among others.
Explore comprehensive insights into military drone market trends 2026 with our expert report. Understand key drivers, technological innovations, and regional outlooks shaping the future of defence UAVs. Download your free sample today and make informed strategic decisions in the rapidly evolving drone industry.
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In 2025, the market reached an approximate value of USD 15.57 Billion.
The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.50% between 2026 and 2035.
The military drone market is estimated to witness a healthy growth in the forecast period of 2026-2035 to reach USD 38.59 Billion by 2035.
Key strategies driving the market include investing in advanced AI and autonomy, expanding multi-mission payload capabilities, enhancing endurance and stealth, forming international partnerships, developing swarm and counter-drone technologies, and integrating drones into existing military networks to improve operational efficiency and battlefield dominance.
The increasing integration of advanced military drones and the rise in border disputes are the key trends propelling the growth of the market.
The major regions in the market for military drones are North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.
The key players in the market report include Saab AB, General Atomics, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Trexton Inc., Elbit Systems Ltd, Thales Group, BAE Systems Plc, Northrop Grumman Company, AeroVironment Inc., Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., and Boeing, among others.
The most prevalent fuel used by military drones is hydrogen, and the most prevalent oxidiser is airborne oxygen.
The different technologies for military drones include remotely operated drones, semi-autonomous drones, and autonomous drones.
The primary applications of military drones are intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (ISRT), combat operations, battle damage management, and logistics and transportation, among others.
The leading segment in the military drone market is expected to be surveillance and reconnaissance drones for intelligence and tactical operations.
According to the market report, North America held the largest market share.
The airframe segment dominates the market due to its foundational role in defining physical structure, endurance, and stealth capabilities
Explore our key highlights of the report and gain a concise overview of key findings, trends, and actionable insights that will empower your strategic decisions.
| REPORT FEATURES | DETAILS |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Historical Period | 2019-2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026-2035 |
| Scope of the Report |
Historical and Forecast Trends, Industry Drivers and Constraints, Historical and Forecast Market Analysis by Segment:
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| Breakup by Product Type |
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| Breakup by Technology |
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| Breakup by Range |
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| Breakup by System |
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| Breakup by Application |
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| Breakup by Region |
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| Market Dynamics |
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| Competitive Landscape |
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| Companies Covered |
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