Global Commercial Drones Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Rotary Blade, Fixed-wing, and Hybrid), By End-use, By Application, By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2024 - 2031

Global Commercial Drones Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Rotary Blade, Fixed-wing, and Hybrid), By End-use, By Application, By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2024 - 2031

The Global Commercial Drones Market size is expected to reach $74.96 billion by 2031, rising at a market growth of 12.1% CAGR during the forecast period.

With the integration of sensors, cameras, and mapping technologies, drones have enabled farmers to monitor crop health, assess soil conditions, and optimize irrigation, increasing efficiency and sustainability. These drones allow precision farming, where resources like water, fertilizers, and pesticides are applied only where needed, minimizing waste and environmental impact. Hence, in 2023, the precision agriculture segment procured 14% revenue share in the market. This not only boosts crop yields but also helps in reducing operational costs. As agriculture continues to adopt more technologically advanced solutions to meet the growing food demand, drones are becoming an indispensable part of the industry, contributing significantly to their rising share in the market.

Drones play a growing role in urban safety by assisting in traffic monitoring and crowd management. By providing aerial perspectives, drones can identify potential risks and streamline operations in real-time. These capabilities are driving their adoption by government agencies and private organizations dedicated to public safety. Thus, the rising adoption of commercial drones for public safety will drive market growth. Additionally, continuous advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) improve drones’ data processing capabilities. These technologies enable real-time analysis and actionable insights, making drones a critical tool for industries aiming to optimize operations and ensure sustainability. In conclusion, the growth of advanced technology and expanded GIS and LIDAR services applications is driving the market's growth.

However, Drones pose security risks when used maliciously for spying, smuggling, or even as weapons. Governments and businesses face the challenge of preventing unauthorized drone activities, which can compromise national security and corporate confidentiality. Implementing counter-drone technologies and legal frameworks is crucial to mitigating these risks. The lack of standardized global regulations further complicates the issue. While some countries have established comprehensive guidelines for drone usage, others lag, creating inconsistencies. Therefore, security and privacy issues related to drones are hampering the market's growth.

Product Outlook

Based on product, the market is divided into rotary blade, fixed-wing, and hybrid. In 2023, the rotary blade segment garnered 62% revenue share in the market. This is because the ability of rotary blade drones to hover and perform agile manoeuvres while retaining a visual on a specific target for extended periods is expected to raise demand for inspection operations. These drones are often a good substitute for various commercial uses, including surveillance, filming, photography, and monitoring.

End-use Outlook

On the basis of end-use, the market is segmented into media & entertainment, security & law enforcement, agriculture, energy, real estate & construction, and others. The agriculture segment held 14% revenue share in the market in 2023. Due to their ability to provide real-time data on crop health, conditions of the soil, and irrigation requirements, drones have become an essential part of modern farming. These aerial devices help in precision agriculture, allowing farmers to optimize resources such as water, fertilizers, and pesticides, enhancing crop yields and reducing environmental impact. As the agriculture industry continues to seek more efficient and sustainable practices to meet global food demands, drones play a pivotal role, leading to their increasing presence in the market.

Application Outlook

By application, the market is divided into filming & photography, mapping & surveying, surveillance & monitoring, inspection & maintenance, precision agriculture, and others. In 2023, the filming & photography segment registered 27% revenue share in the market. Drones are gradually becoming essential to professional photography as photographers eagerly embrace them to gain a competitive advantage. Small drone cameras with the ability to take high-quality photographs for professional photographers are being developed by companies. Additionally, the rise of social media platforms, where visual content plays a pivotal role, further propelled the demand for drones in both professional and amateur filming, contributing to the segment’s dominance in the market.

Regional Outlook

Region-wise, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and LAMEA. The North America region witnessed 38% revenue share in the market in 2023. This is due to advancements in drone technology, beneficial government initiatives, and rising demand from businesses in various sectors. The United States, in particular, has been a key player in the commercial drones sector, with a well-established regulatory framework, a high level of technological innovation, and significant investments in drone technology. Some regional governments are releasing new regulations to establish more consistent and reasonable criteria for the safe and lawful use of UAVs in commercial settings.

Recent Strategies Deployed in the Market

• Oct-2024: AeroVironment unveiled its next-gen P550 eVTOL drone at the AUSA conference. Designed for the Army’s Long-Range Reconnaissance program, it offers modular capabilities, including surveillance, lethality, electronic warfare, and relay functions, while being adaptable to evolving technologies and mission needs.
• May-2023: SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. has launched the M350 RTK drone, designed for commercial and rescue missions. It features improved flight safety, enhanced efficiency, intelligent functions, a 2.7 kg payload capacity, and a new TB65 battery with extended cycle life, optimizing operations and reducing flight costs.
• Jul-2023: Intel Corporation unveils Open Drone ID, a beacon-based solution for remote identification and tracking of drones using Bluetooth technology. This innovation supports safe drone integration into U.S. airspace, aiding regulatory efforts and fostering growth in the commercial drone industry.
• Aug-2022: AeroVironment acquired Planck Aerosystems to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems with advanced autonomy, navigation, and AI capabilities. This move strengthens AeroVironment’s offerings for defense and commercial markets, enabling autonomous operations from moving platforms in GPS-denied environments and contested conditions.
• Sep-2021: Intel partnered with Dollywood to create a nightly drone show with nearly 400 drones, choreographed to music and fireworks. This collaboration demonstrates the growing role of drones in entertainment, highlighting their potential in theme park attractions and commercial use.
• Feb-2021: AeroVironment acquired Arcturus UAV to expand its portfolio with medium unmanned aircraft systems like the VTOL JUMP 20, enhancing defense-focused ISR capabilities for USSOCOM and U.S. Army programs, while potentially influencing commercial drone technologies.

List of Key Companies Profiled

• AeroVironment, Inc.
• Intel Corporation
• SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd.
• EHang Holdings Limited
• Aeronavics Ltd.
• Parrot Drones SAS
• Draganfly Inc.
• Autel Robotics Co., Ltd.
• PrecisionHawk, Inc. (Field Group AS)
• Terra Drone Corporation (Terra Motors Corporation)

Global Commercial Drones Market Report Segmentation

By Product

• Rotary Blade
• Fixed-wing
• Hybrid

By End-use

• Media & Entertainment
• Security & Law Enforcement
• Agriculture
• Energy
• Real Estate & Construction
• Other End-use

By Application

• Filming & Photography
• Mapping & Surveying
• Surveillance & Monitoring
• Inspection & Maintenance
• Precision Agriculture
• Other Application

By Geography

• North America

o US

Canada

Mexico

Rest of North America

• Europe

o Germany

UK

France

Russia

Spain

Italy

Rest of Europe

• Asia Pacific

o China

Japan

India

South Korea

Australia

Malaysia

Rest of Asia Pacific

• LAMEA

o Brazil

Argentina

UAE

Saudi Arabia

South Africa

Nigeria

Rest of LAMEA