What Has Been the Growth of the Combat Drone Market So Far?
The combat drone market has seen considerable growth due to a variety of factors.
• The market size for combat drones has seen considerable growth in the past few years. The market, which is projected to climb from $8.81 billion in 2024 to $9.66 billion in 2025, will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7%.
Factors such as advanced military modernization efforts, commercial innovation, evolution in doctrine and strategy, and asymmetric warfare have contributed to this growth in the historic period.
What Is the Forecasted Market Size and Growth Rate for The Combat Drone Market Size In The Coming Years?
The combat drone market is expected to maintain its strong growth trajectory in upcoming years.
• It is forecasted that the combat drone market will experience significant expansion in the upcoming years. The estimation is that the market will expand to $13.79 billion in 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%.
The anticipated growth during the forecasted period can be credited to the progress made in artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous technologies, the downscaling of sensors and payloads, the merging of swarming technology, and the creation of stealth and low-visibility technologies. The major trends expected in the forecast period consist of swarming technology, the collaboration with manned platforms, the implementation of artificial intelligence, and multi-domain operations.
What Factors Are Driving Growth In The Combat Drone Market?
The expansion of the defense sector is anticipated to fuel the growth of the combat drone market. The defense sector encompasses the industry that contributes to the creation, production, acquisition, and maintenance of military equipment, technologies and systems intended for national defense and security. If the focus on investing in the defense sector increases, it could lead to enhancement and dissemination of combat drone technology, stimulate innovation, create market need, and upgrade the functionality of unmanned systems in military missions. For example, in August 2024, the USAFacts, a non-profit organization based in the US, reported that in 2023, the U.S. military spent roughly $820.3 billion, making up approximately 13.3% of the federal budget. In March 2023, the Department of Defense (DoD) requested for $842.0 billion for 2024, showing a rise of 2.6%. Hence, the rise in defense expenditure is pushing the growth of the defense market.
What Are The Main Segments Of The Global Combat Drone Market?
The combat drone market covered in this report is segmented –
1) By Type: Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, Hybrid
2) By Launching Mode: Air Launched Effect, Vertical Take-Off, Automatic Take Off And Landing, Catapult Launcher, Hand Launched
3) By Platform: Small, Nano, Micro, Mini, Tactical, Close Range, Short Range, Medium Range, Long Range, Strategic
4) By Application: Lethal, Stealth, Loitering Munition, Reversible, Expendable, Target
Subsegments:
1) By Fixed Wing: Small Fixed Wing Drones, Medium Fixed Wing Drones, Large Fixed Wing Drones
2) By Rotary Wing: Single Rotor Drones, Multi-Rotor Drones (Quadcopters, Hexacopters, Octocopters)
3) By Hybrid: Vertical Takeoff And Landing (VTOL) Drones, Convertiplanes
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What Emerging Trends Are Influencing The Growth Of The Combat Drone Market?
Leading businesses in the combat drone market are leaning into autonomous unmanned aircraft systems to cater to the increasing demand. The sophisticated technology of an autonomous uncrewed aircraft system, commonly known as a drone, serves various purposes such as surveillance, security, and force protection. For example, in September 2023, Anduril Industries, a renowned defense technology firm in the US, launched the Ghost-X system. The Ghost-X system is an enhanced version of their Ghost autonomous uncrewed aircraft system with increased payload capacity and prolonged flight duration. The revised propulsion system can accommodate two batteries, extending the flight duration to 75 minutes and doubling the payload capability to 9 kilograms (20 pounds). The Ghost-X system also features an optional long-distance communication kit and can be configured to carry an array of sensors and payloads, like electro-optical gimbals and a vision-based navigation module, enabling it to fly without the global navigation satellite system.
Who Are the Key Players In The Combat Drone Market?
Major companies operating in the combat drone market are:
• Raytheon Technologies Corporation
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
• General Dynamics Corporation
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• BAE Systems plc
• Boeing Defense Space & Security
• Textron Inc.
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• Rheinmetall AG
• Elbit Systems Ltd.
• Saab AB
• General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
• Aerojet Rocketdyne
• Turkish Aerospace Industries
• Baykar Defense
• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
• Denel Dynamics
• Yuneec International
• AeroVironment Inc.
• Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
• Aurora Flight Sciences
• Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group
• BlueBird Aero Systems
• Icarus Aerospace Industries
What Is The Most Dominant Region In The Combat Drone Market?
North America was the largest region in the combat drone market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the combat drone market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
