Global Combat Drone Market - Analysis and Forecast (2025-2030)

Industry Overview

Report Description

Global Combat Drone Market is anticipated to grow from USD 6.8 billion in 2023 to USD 12.4 billion in 2030 at a CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2030.

An unmanned aerial vehicle that is used for reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence, target acquisition and carries aircraft ordnance such as missiles, ATGMs and bombs in drone attacks is known as combat drone. Normally, drones are controlled by a human. The dynamic evolution of regulatory frameworks and continuous advancement of technology to empower more effective and efficient responses to serious situations are the factors responsible for rising demand for combat drones.  

Market Segmentation

Insight by Type

Based on type, the Combat Drone Market is segmented into Fixed Wing, Hybrid and Rotary Wing. Fixed wing segment is anticipated to develop significantly during the forecast period due to the increase in investments in the Combat Drone market trends and its capacity to travel great distances, fly over longer periods and operate at high altitudes.

Insight by Range

The global military drone market is divided into categories such as visual line of sight (VLOS), extended visual line of sight (EVLOS), and beyond line of sight (BLOS) on the basis of range. The extended visual line of sight segment is projected to dominate the global combat drone market throughout the forecast period.

Insight by Technology

On the basis of technology used, the Combat Drone Market is segregated into remotely operated drones, semi-autonomous drones, and autonomous drones. The remotely operated drones segment is expected to hold the largest share of the global military drone market during the forecast period. These unmanned aerial vehicles are typically used for monitoring, reconnaissance, and strike missions, with a human operator controlling their flight.

Insight by Applications

Based on applications, the Combat Drone Market is segmented into combat operations, delivery and transportation, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition (ISRT), and others. The intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition (ISRT) segment dominated the market as ISRT missions, that impact military operations, can employ drones to gather and process data on the operational environment.

Global Combat Drone Market Report Coverage

Report Metric	Details
Historical Period	2020 - 2024
Base Year Considered	2025
Forecast Period	2026 - 2035
Market Size in 2025	U.S.D.  6.8 Billion
Revenue Forecast in 2035	U.S.D.  12.4 Billion
Growth Rate	8.2%
Segments Covered in the Report	By Type, By Range, By Technology, By Applications
Report Scope	Market Trends, Drivers, and Restraints; Revenue Estimation and Forecast; Segmentation Analysis; Impact of COVID-19; Companies’ Strategic Developments; Market Share Analysis of Key Players; Company Profiling
Regions Covered in the Report	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East And Africa

Industry Dynamics

Growth Drivers

The ongoing advancements in artificial intelligence systems shall drive the growth of the combat drones market. The global market for military drones is mainly driven by rising government investment in the defense and military industries. Complex operations can be carried out with the help of AI-powered drones where human intervention could be the lowest and autonomous decision-making and adaptability shall be enabled. There is increased use of UCAV in military applications, which surged the use of UAV in disaster relief operations, and improvements in frameworks regulatory related to aerial operations are the growth drivers of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). Combat drone’s market size is projected to grow as they are more capable of handling more complex missions.

Restraints

Ground based air defense systems can target air large tanker aircraft that, can be easily targeted which endangers the security system of a country. Tanker aircraft is heavy and slow moving compared to the recipient aircraft, which may give the enemy a chance to fire during an combat drone process. Specialized pilot training is necessary for combat drone procedure which is restricting the market from growing. Also the inherent risk of mid-air collisions during AAR marks the limitations for the growth of Combat Drone market. Drones can fly at various altitudes and require skilled personnel to operate them while flying at a low altitude.

Geographic Overview

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific (APAC)
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

North America dominates the Combat Drone market. Various OEMs in the United States, including are responsible for the growth of the market in the region which let to the advancements of drone technology inside the U.S. military. The industry has grown as a result of increasing investment by major regional companies. Regional expansion is to be propelled in unmanned aerial vehicle exports from the United States.

Key Players Covered in the Report

Some of the major players in this market are Northrop Grumman Corporation, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Teledyne FLIR LLC, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Recent developments by Key Players

As part of the US Air Force’s (USAF) Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS), General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has revealed its new uncrewed combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), the XQ-67A. The drone resembles the Avenger, MQ-25 Stingray tanker and the XQ-58 Valkyrie. The images have been released by the manufacturer that showed the drone has a main wing with a low sweep, a splayed v-tail, a top-mounted dorsal engine intake and a retractable tricycle landing gear.

Recently 31 remotely piloted military aircraft shall be bought by the US government from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. The deal is worth USD 3.99 billion and includes weapons with its associated products and services.

The Combat Drone Market report offers a comprehensive market segmentation analysis along with an estimation for the forecast period 2025–2030.

Segments Covered in the Report

• By Type
  • Fixed Wing
  • Hybrid and Rotary Wing
  • Business & General AviationHemp
• By Range 
  • Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS)
  • Extended Visual Line Of Sight (EVLOS)
  • Beyond Line Of Sight (BLOS)
• By Technology
  • Remotely Operated Drones
  • Semi-Autonomous Drones
  • Autonomous Drones
• Applications
  • Combat Operations
  • Delivery and Transportation
  • Intelligence
  • Surveillance
  • Reconnaissance and Target Acquisition (ISRT)

Region Covered in the Report

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • U.K.
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific (APAC)
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Rest of the World (RoW)
  • Brazil
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • U.A.E.
  • Other Countries

1.    Research Overview

        1.1.    The Report Offers
        1.2.    Market Coverage
                1.2.1.    By Type
                1.2.2.    By Range
                1.2.3.    By Technology
                1.2.4.    By Applications
                1.2.5.    By Region
        1.3.    Research Phases
        1.4.    Limitations
        1.5.    Market Methodology
                1.5.1.    Data Sources
                        1.5.1.1. Primary Research
                        1.5.1.2. Secondary Research
                1.5.2.    Methodology
                        1.5.2.1. Data Exploration
                        1.5.2.2. Forecast Parameters
                        1.5.2.3. Data Validation
                        1.5.2.4. Assumptions
                1.5.3.    Study Period & Data Reporting Unit

2.    Executive Summary

3.    Industry Overview

        3.1.    Industry Dynamics
                3.1.1.    Market Growth Drivers
                3.1.2.    Market Restraints
                3.1.3.    Key Market Trends
                3.1.4.    Major Opportunities

        3.2.    Industry Ecosystem
                3.2.1.    Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
                3.2.2.    Recent Development Analysis
                3.2.3.    Value Chain Analysis

        3.3.    Competitive Insight
                3.3.1.    Competitive Position of Industry Players
                3.3.2.    Market Attractive Analysis
                3.3.3.    Market Share Analysis

4.    Global Market Estimate and Forecast

        4.1.    Global Market Overview
        4.2.    Global Market Estimate and Forecast to 2030

5.    Market Segmentation Estimate and Forecast

        5.1.    By Type
                5.1.1.    Fixed Wing
                        5.1.1.1. Market Definition
                        5.1.1.2. Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030  
                5.1.2.    Hybrid Wing
                        5.1.2.1. Market Definition
                        5.1.2.2. Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030
                5.1.3.    Rotary Wing
                        5.1.3.1. Market Definition
                        5.1.3.2. Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030

        5.2.    By Range
                5.2.1.    Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)
                        5.2.1.1. Market Definition
                        5.2.1.2. Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030
                5.2.2.    Extended Visual Line of Sight (EVLOS)
                        5.2.2.1. Market Definition
                        5.2.2.2. Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030
                5.2.3.    Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS)
                        5.2.3.1. Market Definition
                        5.2.3.2. Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030

        5.3.    By Technology
                5.3.1.    Remotely Operated Drones
                        5.3.1.1. Market Definition
                        5.3.1.2. Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030
                5.3.2.    Semi-Autonomous Drones
                        5.3.2.1. Market Definition
                        5.3.2.2. Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030
                5.3.3.    Autonomous Drones
                        5.3.3.1. Market Definition
                        5.3.3.2. Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030

        5.4    By Applications
                5.4.1.    Combat Operations
                        5.4.1.1. Market Definition
                        5.4.1.2. Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030
                5.4.2.    Delivery and Transportation
                        5.4.2.1. Market Definition
                        5.4.2.2. Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030
                5.4.3.    Intelligence
                        5.4.3.1. Market Definition
                        5.4.3.2. Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030
                5.4.4.    Surveillance
                        5.4.4.1. Market Definition
                        5.4.4.2. Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030
                5.4.5.    Reconnaissance and Target Acquisition (ISRT)
                        5.4.5.1. Market Definition
                        5.4.5.2. Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030
                5.4.6.    Others
                        5.4.6.1. Market Definition
                        5.4.6.2. Market Estimation and Forecast to 2030

6.    North America Market Estimate and Forecast

        6.1.    By Type
        6.2.    By Range
        6.3.    By Technology
        6.4.    By Applications
        6.5.    By Country
                6.5.1.    U.S. Market Estimate and Forecast
                6.5.2.    Canada Market Estimate and Forecast
                6.5.3.    Mexico Market Estimate and Forecast

7.    Europe Market Estimate and Forecast

        7.1.    By Type
        7.2.    By Range
        7.3.    By Technology
        7.4     By Applications
        7.5.    By Country
                7.5.1.    Germany Market Estimate and Forecast
                7.5.2.    France Market Estimate and Forecast
                7.5.3.    U.K. Market Estimate and Forecast
                7.5.4.    Italy Market Estimate and Forecast
                7.5.5.    Spain Market Estimate and Forecast
                7.5.6.    Rest of Europe Market Estimate and Forecast

8.    Asia-Pacific Market Estimate and Forecast

        8.1.    By Type
        8.2.    By Range
        8.3.    By Technology
        8.4     By Applications
        8.5.    By Country
                8.5.1.    China Market Estimate and Forecast
                8.5.2.    Japan Market Estimate and Forecast
                8.5.3.    India Market Estimate and Forecast
                8.5.4.    South Korea Market Estimate and Forecast
                8.5.5.    Singapore Market Estimate and Forecast
                8.5.6.    Rest of Asia-Pacific Market Estimate and Forecast

9.    Rest of the World (RoW) Market Estimate and Forecast

        9.1.    By Type
        9.2.    By Range
        9.3.    By Technology
        9.4.    By Applications
        9.5.    By Country
                9.5.1.    Brazil Market Estimate and Forecast
                9.5.2.    Saudi Arabia Market Estimate and Forecast
                9.5.3.    South Africa Market Estimate and Forecast
                9.5.4.    Other Countries Market Estimate and Forecast

10.    Company Profiles

        10.1.    Northrop Grumman Corporation
                10.1.1.    Snapshot
                10.1.2.    Overview
                10.1.3.    Offerings
                10.1.4.    Financial Insight
                10.1.5.    Recent Developments

        10.2.    Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
                10.2.1.    Snapshot
                10.2.2.    Overview
                10.2.3.    Offerings
                10.2.4.    Financial Insight
                10.2.5.    Recent Developments

        10.3.    Teledyne FLIR LLC
                10.3.1.    Snapshot
                10.3.2.    Overview
                10.3.3.    Offerings
                10.3.4.    Financial Insight
                10.3.5.    Recent Developments

        10.4.    Raytheon Technologies Corporation
                10.4.1.    Snapshot
                10.4.2.    Overview
                10.4.3.    Offerings
                10.4.4.    Financial Insight
                10.4.5.    Recent Developments

        10.5.    General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
                10.5.1.    Snapshot
                10.5.2.    Overview
                10.5.3.    Offerings
                10.5.4.    Financial Insight
                10.5.5.    Recent Developments

11.    Appendix

        11.1.    Exchange Rates
        11.2.    Abbreviations

Note: Financial insight and recent developments of different companies are subject to the availability of information in the secondary domain.

 

List of Tables

Table 1 Types
Table 2 Study Periods
Table 3 Data Reporting Unit
Table 4 Global Combat Drone Market Size, by Type, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 5 Global Combat Drone Market Size, by Type, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 6 Global Combat Drone Market Size, by Range, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 7 Global Combat Drone Market Size, by Range, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 8 Global Combat Drone Market Size, by Technology, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 9 Global Combat Drone Market Size, by Technology, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 8 Global Combat Drone Market Size, by Applications, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 9 Global Combat Drone Market Size, by Applications, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 10 Global Combat Drone Market Size, by Region, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 11 Global Combat Drone Market Size, by Region, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 12 North America Combat Drone Market Size, by Type, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 13 North America Combat Drone Market Size, by Type, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 14 North America Combat Drone Market Size, by Range, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 15 North America Combat Drone Market Size, by Range, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 16 North America Combat Drone Market Size, by Technology, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 17 North America Combat Drone Market Size, by Technology, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 16 North America Combat Drone Market Size, by Applications, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 17 North America Combat Drone Market Size, by Applications, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 18 North America Combat Drone Market Size, by Country, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 19 North America Combat Drone Market Size, by Country, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 20 Europe Combat Drone Market Size, by Type, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 21 Europe Combat Drone Market Size, by Type, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 22 Europe Combat Drone Market Size, by Range, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 23 Europe Combat Drone Market Size, by Range, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 24 Europe Combat Drone Market Size, by Technology, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 25 Europe Combat Drone Market Size, by Technology, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 26 Europe Combat Drone Market Size, by Applications, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 27 Europe Combat Drone Market Size, by Applications, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 28 Europe Combat Drone Market Size, by Country, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 29 Europe Combat Drone Market Size, by Country, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 30 Asia-Pacific Combat Drone Market Size, by Type, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 31 Asia-Pacific Combat Drone Market Size, by Type, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 32 Asia-Pacific Combat Drone Market Size, by Range, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 33 Asia-Pacific Combat Drone Market Size, by Range, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 34 Asia-Pacific Combat Drone Market Size, by Technology, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 35 Asia-Pacific Combat Drone Market Size, by Technology, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 36 Asia-Pacific Combat Drone Market Size, by Applications, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 3 Asia-Pacific Combat Drone Market Size, by Applications, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 36 Asia-Pacific Combat Drone Market Size, by Country, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 37 Asia-Pacific Combat Drone Market Size, by Country, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 38 RoW Combat Drone Market Size, by Type, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 39 RoW Combat Drone Market Size, by Type, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 40 RoW Combat Drone Market Size, by Range, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 41 RoW Combat Drone Market Size, by Range, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 42 RoW Combat Drone Market Size, by Technology, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 43 RoW Combat Drone Market Size, by Technology, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 44 RoW Combat Drone Market Size, by Applications, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 45 RoW Combat Drone Market Size, by Applications, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 46 RoW Combat Drone Market Size, by Country, 2018-2023 (USD Billion)
Table 47 RoW Combat Drone Market Size, by Country, 2025-2030 (USD Billion)
Table 48 Snapshot – Northrop Grumman Corporation
Table 49 Snapshot – Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
Table 50 Snapshot – Teledyne FLIR LLC
Table 51 Snapshot – Raytheon Technologies Corporation
Table 52 Snapshot – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

List of Figures
Figure 1 Market Coverage
Figure 2 Research Phases
Figure 3 Secondary Types for Different Parameters
Figure 4 Methodology
Figure 5 Data Mining & Exploration
Figure 6 Data Triangulation
Figure 7 Assumptions for Market Estimation and Forecast
Figure 8 Market Synopsis
Figure 9  Global Combat Drone Market - Growth Drivers and Restraints
Figure 10 Competitive Benchmark
Figure 11 Global Combat Drone Market Highlight
Figure 12 Global Combat Drone Market Size, by Type, 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 13 Global Combat Drone Market Size, by Range 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 14 Global Combat Drone Market Size, by Technology 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 15 Global Combat Drone Market Size, by Applications 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 16 Global Combat Drone Market Size, by Region, 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 17 North America Combat Drone Market Highlight
Figure 18 North America Combat Drone Market Size, by Type, 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 19 North America Combat Drone Market Size, by Range 2018–2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 20 North America Combat Drone Market Size, by Technology 2018–2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 21 North America Combat Drone Market Size, by Applications 2018–2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 22 North America Combat Drone Market Size, by Country, 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 23 Europe Combat Drone Market Highlight
Figure 24 Europe Combat Drone Market Size, by Type, 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 25 Europe Combat Drone Market Size, by Range 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 26 Europe Combat Drone Market Size, by Technology 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 27 Europe Combat Drone Market Size, by Applications 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 28 Europe Combat Drone Market Size, by Country, 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 29 Asia-Pacific Combat Drone Market Highlight
Figure 30 Asia-Pacific Combat Drone Market Size, by Type, 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 31 Asia-Pacific Combat Drone Market Size, by Range 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 32 Asia-Pacific Combat Drone Market Size, by Technology 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 33 Asia-Pacific Combat Drone Market Size, by Applications 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 34 Asia-Pacific Combat Drone Market Size, by Country, 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 35 RoW Combat Drone Market Highlight
Figure 36 RoW Combat Drone Market Size, by Type, 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 37 RoW Combat Drone Market Size, by Range 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 38 RoW Combat Drone Market Size, by Technology 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 39 RoW Combat Drone Market Size, by Applications 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)
Figure 40 RoW Combat Drone Market Size, by Country, 2018 – 2030 (USD Billion)