According to Fortune Business Insights, the global commercial drone market size was valued at USD 13.86 billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow from USD 17.34 billion in 2025 to USD 65.25 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 31.31% during the forecast period.
Commercial drones—also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—are increasingly being adopted across industries for a variety of applications, including air taxis, surveying, logistics, monitoring, surveillance, and mapping. The integration of advanced sensors and camera systems in drones has positioned them as transformative tools in the commercial sector. Growing investments by enterprises and startups are further fueling market expansion as they seek to capitalize on the potential of drone-based technologies.
Key Players in the Commercial Drone Market
Some of the leading companies profiled in the report include:
- 3D Robotics, Inc. (U.S.)
- Aeronavics Ltd. (New Zealand)
- AeroVironment Inc. (U.S.)
- Autel Robotics (China)
- Ehang Holdings Limited (China)
- FLIR Systems, Inc. (U.S.)
- Teal Drones (U.S.)
- Holy Stone (China)
- Intel Corporation (U.S.)
- AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (U.S.)
- Parrot Group (France)
- PrecisionHawk, Inc. (U.S.)
- Skydio, Inc. (U.S.)
- SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. (China)
- Yuneec Holding Ltd. (China)
Source: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/commercial-drone-market-102171
Market Segmentation
By Weight Class:
The market is segmented into <2 Kg, 2 Kg – 25 Kg, and 25 Kg – 150 Kg categories. Among these, the <2 Kg segment dominated the market in 2022. This dominance is attributed to the increasing use of lightweight drones for photography, mapping, inspection, and surveying. These drones are favored for their ease of deployment, lower cost, and versatile functionality across commercial applications.
By Technology:
Based on technology, the market is classified into fully autonomous, semi-autonomous, and remote operated drones. In 2022, the remote operated segment held the largest market share. This segment’s growth is fueled by the user-friendly interface, lower operational costs, and widespread availability compared to fully or semi-autonomous drone technologies.
By System:
The commercial drone market is bifurcated into hardware and software systems. The hardware segment is further sub-divided into propulsion system, payload, airframe, and others. In 2022, the hardware segment led the market, supported by the surge in demand for medical drones during the COVID-19 pandemic, which were used to deliver medicines and vaccines to remote and underserved regions.
By Application:
In terms of application, the market is segmented into filming & photography, mapping & surveying, horticulture & agriculture, inspection & maintenance, delivery & logistics, surveillance & monitoring, and others. The filming & photography segment captured the largest share in 2022. This is due to the growing adoption of consumer and professional drones like the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom, PowerVision PowerEgg X, and Parrot Anafi FPV, which are widely used for aerial photography, content creation, and cinematography.
Regional Insights
North America
North America dominated the global commercial drone market in 2022, driven by robust drone manufacturing activity in the U.S. and increasing adoption of UAVs across various industries. As per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), over 872,000 drones were registered in the U.S. by May 2021.
Europe
Europe is witnessing significant growth, supported by rising drone usage in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom for agriculture, surveillance, and logistics.
Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific is projected to record the fastest growth during the forecast period, led by increasing investment from governments and OEMs in drone infrastructure and production—especially in countries like China, India, and Japan.
Market Drivers
Technological Advancements Driving Market Growth
The integration of technologies such as AI, machine learning, modern sensors, processors, and computer vision is transforming commercial drones into intelligent platforms capable of complex data analytics. These innovations are empowering businesses with new capabilities in measurement, mapping, inspection, and logistics.
Market Restraints
However, the market faces challenges including a shortage of skilled drone pilots, insufficient infrastructure, and regulatory inconsistencies across global airspaces, which may hinder widespread adoption.
Competitive Landscape
Leading market players are focused on partnerships, product innovation, and regional expansion to strengthen their market presence. For instance:
Key Industry Development
- February 2022 – Zain Group, a Kuwait-based telecom company, signed a collaboration agreement with Saudi Arabia to advance drone technology as part of efforts to diversify its economy beyond oil exports.
- October 2021 – FIXAR, a leading drone manufacturer, signed an exclusivity deal with Paras Aerospace to distribute its UAV solutions—including FIXAR INDOOR and FIXAR 007—across the Indian market.
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