Global Target Drone Market Insights Forecasts to 2033

• The Global Target Drone Market Size was Valued at USD 5.36 Billion in 2023
• The Market Size is Growing at a CAGR of 5.34% from 2023 to 2033
• The Worldwide Target Drone Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 9.02 Billion by 2033
• Europe is Expected to Grow the fastest during the forecast period.

The Target Drone Market Size is Anticipated to Exceed USD 9.02 Billion by 2033, Growing at a CAGR of 5.34% from 2023 to 2033.

Market Overview

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) known as a target drone is used to provide target practice for testing missiles and other weapons, as well as to educate anti-aircraft operators and simulate threats. Target drones are often radio-controlled model aircraft that are controlled by a remote. Modern inventions, like as precision target UAVs and autonomous target drones, are outfitted with countermeasures and radar technology to imitate manned aircraft. The need for target drones is being driven by the growing emphasis on realistic military training and simulation exercises. Armed forces can improve their battle preparedness and tactics by training using these drones, which imitate hostile aircraft or threats. For instance, Feb 2024, A well-known Indian drone manufacturer stated that his business displayed its goods in the fiercely competitive US market. Idea Forge, an Indian drone manufacturing company, is entering the American drone industry at a time when people are reluctant to purchase or acquire drones built in China. Idea Forge is ranked fifth internationally in the dual-use civil and defense category. Global political conflicts are increasing, driving the target drone market's rise. An increase in the number of major war zones worldwide forces nations to improve their military capabilities and purchase target drones to assess army readiness. Target drones monitor air defense capabilities while helping to simulate realistic training conditions for the crew.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the target drone market based on various segments and regions forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the target drone market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the target drone market.

Driving Factors

Increased spending on military and defense across the globe makes it easier to deploy target drone system technology. Furthermore, to fend off threats and offensive attacks from other nations, governments are increasingly calling for the upgrading and installation of sophisticated military infrastructure due to improvements in weaponry and assault capabilities across the entire world. Therefore, during the projected period, an increase in defense spending is anticipated to create new growth opportunities for the target drone market.

Restraining Factors

The market is significantly constrained by a lack of experienced operators who can operate current target drones, which fly quickly and collect precise data. This phenomenon is not limited to the defense industry; it is also widely observed in the commercial sector. Target drones are very useful for providing military troops with training based on actual combat situations, yet there is a severe global scarcity of qualified drone operators.   

Market Segmentation

The target drone market share is classified into type, mode of operation, and end user.

• The aerial target segment is expected to hold the largest share of the target drone market during the forecast period.    

Based on the type, the target drone market is categorized into aerial target, ground target, and marine target. Among these, the aerial target segment is expected to hold the largest share of the target drone market during the forecast period. These drones may replicate the flight characteristics of actual enemy aircraft or missiles through sophisticated maneuvers, making them a formidable training target. The size and design of aerial target drones vary based on the particular training goals. They might look like bombers, fighter jets, or even cruise missiles.  

• The remotely piloted segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.    

Based on the mode of operation, the target drone market is categorized into autonomous, and remotely piloted. Among these, the remotely piloted segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Advances in autonomy and artificial intelligence, along with the growing use of unmanned systems in military operations, are driving demand for remotely piloted. Target drones that can simulate intricate threat scenarios. Remotely piloted drones can imitate a variety of aerial threats, including as fighter planes, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles, thanks to their advanced sensors, communication systems, and maneuvering capabilities.

• The defense segment is expected to hold a significant share of the target drone market during the forecast period.

Based on the end user, the target drone market is categorized into defense, and commercial. Among these, the defense segment is expected to hold a significant share of the target drone market during the forecast period. Because of their advanced capabilities to perform surveillance missions in a range of operational scenarios, gather intelligence in real time, and conduct reconnaissance, target drones are very valuable instruments for the defense agencies. Target drones are in high demand in the surveillance and reconnaissance sector because of their capacity to guarantee situational awareness, secure activity monitoring, and the ability to assess terrain without endangering human life.

Regional Segment Analysis of the Global Target Drone Market

• North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) 
• Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)
• South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America) 
• The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

North America is projected to hold the largest share of the target drone market over the forecast period.

North America is projected to hold the largest share of the target drone market over the forecast period. Due to its rapid technological growth, increased expenditures in the defense sector, and numerous important defense production and research institutes, it acts as a basis. Target drone demand in this market has been driven by the region's well-established defense sector as well as ongoing military modernization programs for use in military training, weapon testing, and surveillance. The drone industry in North America has grown significantly thanks in large part to the US. The US stated in February 2023 that it will provide Ukraine with target drones, ammunition, and humanitarian aid as part of an initial US$ 2 billion investment. 

Europe is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR growth of the target drone market during the forecast period. The requirement for target drones for training, simulation, and research and development has been steadily increasing as various European nations concentrate on enhancing their military preparedness and capabilities. The market demand in this region has benefited considerably from the presence of nations such as the UK, Germany, and France.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the target drone market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.
• AeroTargets International, LLC
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• QinetiQ Group plc
• Airbus SE
• The Boeing Company
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• Raytheon Technologies Corporation
• Textron Inc.
• BAE Systems plc
• Meggitt PLC
• Thales Group
• Saab AB
• Denel Dynamics
• Others

Key Market Developments

• In August 2023, A contract was awarded to Advanced Technology International, Inc. for the prototype project of the Fifth Generation Aerial Target (5GAT). The contract's ultimate objective is to provide the US Department of Defense with target drones that can imitate Chinese and Russian stealth jets and their electronic defense systems.

• In March 2023, The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force awarded Qinteiq a contract to supply Banshee Jet 80+ unmanned aerial vehicle targets.

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting And Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs) 

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2033. Spherical Insights has segmented the global target drone market based on the below-mentioned segments:  

Global Target Drone Market, By Type

• Aerial Target
• Ground Target
• Marine Target

Global Target Drone Market, By Mode of Operation

• Autonomous
• Remotely Piloted   

Global Target Drone Market, By End User

• Defense
• Commercial

Global Target Drone Market, By Regional

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa