Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Market

By Wing Type;

Fixed Wing and Rotary Wing

By Take-Off Weight;

Less Than 5kg, 5 To 25kg and Above 25 To 150kg

By Size;

Micro, Mini and Nano

By Application;

Military & Law Enforcement, Civil and Commercial

By Geography;

North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America - Report Timeline (2021 - 2031)
Report ID: Rn452845580 Published Date: August, 2025

Introduction

Global Small UAV Market (USD Million), 2021 - 2031

In the year 2024, the Global Small UAV Market was valued at USD 3,305.06 million. The size of this market is expected to increase to USD 7,036.82 million by the year 2031, while growing at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.4%.


Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Market

*Market size in USD million

CAGR 11.4 %


Study Period2025 - 2031
Base Year2024
CAGR (%)11.4 %
Market Size (2024)USD 3,305.06 Million
Market Size (2031)USD 7,036.82 Million
Market ConcentrationLow
Report Pages360
3,305.06
2024
7,036.82
2031

Major Players

  • Northrop Grumman Corporation
  • Dow Jones Industrial
  • Parrot Drones SAS
  • AeroVironment Inc
  • Textron Inc
  • The Boeing Company
  • YUNEEC
  • Guangzhou Walkera Technology CO. LTD
  • FLIR Systems Inc
  • Elbit Systems Ltd
  • Thales Group

Market Concentration

Consolidated - Market dominated by 1 - 5 major players

Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Market

Fragmented - Highly competitive market without dominant players


The global small UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) market is experiencing robust growth, driven by advancements in technology, expanding applications, and increasing adoption across various industries. Small UAVs, also known as drones, offer versatility, agility, and cost-effectiveness, making them invaluable tools for a wide range of purposes. From military and defense applications to commercial uses such as aerial photography, surveillance, agriculture, and infrastructure inspection, small UAVs are revolutionizing industries and redefining operational capabilities.

One of the primary drivers propelling the growth of the global small UAV market is the rapid evolution of drone technology. Innovations in miniaturization, battery efficiency, sensor capabilities, and autonomous navigation systems have significantly enhanced the performance, reliability, and affordability of small UAVs. These technological advancements have expanded the scope of applications for small UAVs, enabling them to operate in diverse environments and under various conditions with increased precision and safety.

Moreover, the increasing adoption of small UAVs across both government and commercial sectors is driving market expansion. Government agencies utilize small UAVs for military reconnaissance, border surveillance, law enforcement, and disaster management, among other purposes. Similarly, businesses in sectors such as agriculture, construction, energy, and media are leveraging small UAVs to enhance efficiency, productivity, and safety in their operations. As the demand for aerial data collection, inspection, and monitoring solutions continues to rise, the global small UAV market is poised for significant growth in the foreseeable future.

  1. Introduction
    1. Research Objectives and Assumptions
    2. Research Methodology
    3. Abbreviations
  2. Market Definition & Study Scope
  3. Executive Summary
    1. Market Snapshot, By Wing Type
    2. Market Snapshot, By Take-Off Weight
    3. Market Snapshot, By Size
    4. Market Snapshot, By Application
    5. Market Snapshot, By Region
  4. Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Market Dynamics
    1. Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities
      1. Drivers
        1. Technological Advancements
        2. Expanding Applications
        3. Increasing Adoption
      2. Restraints
        1. Regulatory Restrictions
        2. Safety Concerns
        3. Limited Endurance and Payload Capacity
      3. Opportunities
        1. Military and Defense Applications
        2. Commercial Applications (e.g., Agriculture, Construction)
        3. Emerging Markets and Industry Verticals
    2. PEST Analysis
      1. Political Analysis
      2. Economic Analysis
      3. Social Analysis
      4. Technological Analysis
    3. Porter's Analysis
      1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
      2. Bargaining Power of Buyers
      3. Threat of Substitutes
      4. Threat of New Entrants
      5. Competitive Rivalry
  5. Market Segmentation
    1. Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Market, By Wing Type, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
      1. Fixed Wing
      2. Rotary Wing
    2. Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Market, By Take-Off Weight, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)

      1. Less Than 5kg

      2. 5 To 25kg

      3. Above 25 to 150kg

    3. Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Market, By Size, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
      1. Micro
      2. Mini
      3. Nano
    4. Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Market, By Application, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
      1. Military & Law Enforcement
      2. Civil & Commercial
    5. Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Market, By Geography, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
      1. North America
        1. United States
        2. Canada
      2. Europe
        1. Germany
        2. United Kingdom
        3. France
        4. Italy
        5. Spain
        6. Nordic
        7. Benelux
        8. Rest of Europe
      3. Asia Pacific
        1. Japan
        2. China
        3. India
        4. Australia & New Zealand
        5. South Korea
        6. ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Countries)
        7. Rest of Asia Pacific
      4. Middle East & Africa
        1. GCC
        2. Israel
        3. South Africa
        4. Rest of Middle East & Africa
      5. Latin America
        1. Brazil
        2. Mexico
        3. Argentina
        4. Rest of Latin America
  6. Competitive Landscape
    1. Company Profiles
      1. Northrop Grumman Corporation
      2. Dow Jones Industrial
      3. Parrot Drones SAS
      4. AeroVironment Inc
      5. Textron Inc
      6. The Boeing Company
      7. YUNEEC
      8. Guangzhou Walkera Technology CO. LTD
      9. FLIR Systems Inc
      10. Elbit Systems Ltd
      11. Thales Group
  7. Analyst Views
  8. Future Outlook of the Market