Small UAV Market Size Worth USD 16.06 Billion by 2032 and CAGR of 11.6% | Coherent Market Insights
Burlingame, CA, Sept. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Coherent Market Insights, the Small UAV Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 7.44 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach US$ 16.06 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6% from 2025 to 2032. The small UAV market is experiencing strong growth, fueled by rising adoption across commercial sectors including agriculture, insurance, security, and surveillance. Additionally, the growing popularity of mini drones for recreational use among households is further contributing to the market’s expansion.
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Global Small UAV Market Key Takeaways
Global demand for small UAVs is likely to increase at a CAGR of 11.6% from 2025 to 2032.
Rotary-wing UAVs are projected to remain the top-selling type, accounting for nearly three-fifths of the global small UAV market revenue in 2025.
Based on take-off weight, 5 to 25kg category is set to dominate the industry, capturing 45.5% of the global small UAV market share in 2025.
Military is expected to remain the most lucrative application for small UAVs, accounting for 53.3% of the global market revenue by 2025.
North America, with an estimated share of 37.9% in 2025, is projected to retain its dominance during the forecast period.
Asia Pacific, spearheaded by China, is poised to emerge as a hotbed for small UAV companies during the assessment period.
Expanding Military Applications Spurring Small UAV Market Growth
Coherent Market Insights’ latest small UAV market analysis outlines major factors driving market growth. Rising adoption of small UAVs in military applications is one such prominent growth driver.
Small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being increasingly used in military applications like surveillance, reconnaissance, border patrol, and combat missions. These expanding military applications are expected to fuel demand for small UAVs during the forecast period.
Increasing deployment of small UAVs in military applications is mostly attributed to their agility, cost-efficiency, and operational efficiency. They are becoming ideal for military applications like surveillance and border patrolling due to their ability to access remote locations.
Nations like Iran, China, Russia, and the United States are significantly increasing their investments in small UAV development and deployment. This rising spending and focus on advanced aerial technologies will likely foster growth of the small UAV market.
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Security and Safety Concerns Restraining Small UAV Market Growth
The global small UAV market outlook looks bright owing to expanding military and commercial applications. However, rising safety and security concerns pose a barrier to widespread market expansion.
Small UAVs with cameras and sensors raise concerns about unauthorized surveillance and data breaches. This might limit their acceptance, especially in public or sensitive areas, dampening small UAV market demand.
In addition, there has been an increase in the use of small UAVs for illegal activities like smuggling and contraband delivery. This is prompting governments to impose restrictions or even ban use of drones in sensitive areas. These challenges may slow down growth of the small UAV market.
Expanding Industrial and Commercial Sectors Creating Growth Opportunities
Small drones are becoming popular in both modern businesses and industries. In agriculture, they help with precise farming tasks like checking crop health, managing irrigation, and spraying pesticides.
Similarly, small UAVs are employed for mapping, surveying, and inspection tasks in construction, mining, and oil & gas sectors. This is due to their ability to improve efficiency and safety as well as reduce overall costs.
Small UAVs are also being used in logistics, especially for last-mile delivery. Companies like Amazon and Zipline, for instance, are exploring drone delivery services. These expanding applications are expected to create lucrative growth opportunities for small UAV manufacturers during the forthcoming period.
Impact of AI on the Small UAV Market
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is undoubtedly becoming a powerful tool in the small unmanned aerial vehicle market. It is enhancing autonomy, efficiency, and versatility of small UAVs.
AI-powered algorithms have the tendency to reduce the need for human intervention. They enable advanced functions such as real-time data processing, as well as object detection, predictive maintenance, and autonomous navigation.
Usage of AI in small UAVs is expanding their applications across industries like defense, agriculture, logistics, and surveillance. This will help the small UAV market grow faster in the coming years.
Emerging Small UAV Market Trends
Rising need for safe and cost-effective drone technology is a key growth-shaping trend in the small UAV market. Small UAVs offer lower operational and maintenance costs. This makes them ideal for tasks that traditionally required planes or helicopters.
There is a rising trend of integrating AI, LiDAR, ML, and autonomous navigation in small UAVs. These advanced technologies are significantly enhancing their capabilities, leading to expanded applications.
Miniaturization trend is revolutionizing small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Shrinking component sizes is enabling manufacturers to develop micro and nano UAVs for applications such as indoor inspections and military surveillance. Development of these compact, tactical drones will likely boost the small UAV market value in the coming years.
The growing use of swarm technology is likely to boost the small drone industry. Swarm technology lets many drones work together as a team, making them more efficient, coordinated, and adaptable. This is especially helpful for tasks like search-and-rescue missions and military operations.
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Analyst’s View
“The global small UAV industry is expected to record robust growth, owing to rising geopolitical tensions, increasing defense spending, growing demand for cost-effective UAVs, advancements in drone technology, and expanding usage of UAVs across commercial and industrial sectors,” said a senior CMI analyst.
Current Events and Their Impact on the Small UAV Market
| Event | Description and Impact |
| Ukraine’s Use of AI-Enabled Drone Swarms |
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| Middle East Regional Conflicts |
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| Artificial Intelligence Integration and Edge Computing Advances |
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Competitor Insights
Key companies listed in the small UAV market research report:
- Northrop Grumman
- DJI
- Bayer Tech
- Lockheed Martin Corporation
- Parrot Drone SAS
- AeroVironment, Inc.
- Israel Aerospace Industry Ltd.
- Teledyne FLIR LLC
- BAE Systems
- Textron Inc.
- AIRBUS
- Yuneec
- PowerVision Inc.
- Elbit Systems Ltd.
- Guangzhou Walkera Technology Co Ltd
- Yuneec
- Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
- Turkish Aerospace Industries
- Autel Robotics
Key Developments
In June 2025, GGA-ASI introduced PELE, a new semi self-driving drone for international customers. PELE is built to operate effectively in tough and hard-to-reach areas.
In June 2025, Parrot Drones SAS introduced Anafi UKR, its latest sovereign micro-UAV range, at the Paris Air Show. These small UAVs are designed for public safety, defense, and government operations.
Detailed Segmentation:
By Type
- Fixed Wing
- Rotary Wing
- Hybrid
By Take-off Weight
- Less than 5kg
- 5 to 25kg
- Above 25 to 150kg
By Application
- Military
- Commercial
- Government & Law
By Regional
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- Middle East & Africa
Related Reports:
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Market Size, Share & Trend Analysis Report for 2025-2032
Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle Market Size, Share, Trends & Opportunities for 2025-2032
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Drones Market Analysis & Forecast for 2025-2032
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About Us: Coherent Market Insights leads into data and analytics, audience measurement, consumer behaviors, and market trend analysis. From shorter dispatch to in-depth insights, CMI has exceled in offering research, analytics, and consumer-focused shifts for nearly a decade. With cutting-edge syndicated tools and custom-made research services, we empower businesses to move in the direction of growth. We are multifunctional in our work scope and have 450+ seasoned consultants, analysts, and researchers across 26+ industries spread out in 32+ countries. Contact Us: Mr. Shah Coherent Market Insights 533 Airport Boulevard, Suite 400, Burlingame, CA 94010, United States US: + 12524771362 UK: +442039578553 AUS: +61-2-4786-0457 India: +91-848-285-0837 Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Website: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com For Latest Update Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter
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