Indian UAV Market Size Likely to Reach at a CAGR of 9.5% By 2033

As per the current market research conducted by the CMI Team, the Indian UAV Market size is expected to record a CAGR of 9.5% from 2024 to 2033. In 2024, the market size is projected to reach a valuation of USD 1,775.5 Million. By 2033, the valuation is anticipated to reach USD 4,018.4 Million.

Indian UAV Market: Growth Factors and Dynamics

• Government Initiatives and Policies: India’s government initiatives such as the ‘Make in India’ campaign and the release of the National Drone Policy in 2021 have fueled growth in the UAV market. The policy provides a regulatory framework for drone operations, encouraging investments, innovation, and adoption across various sectors.

• Rapid Technological Advancements: Technological advancements in UAVs, particularly in areas like miniaturization, battery life, sensor capabilities, and autonomous flight systems, have propelled market growth. These advancements have expanded the range of applications for UAVs in sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, defense, and disaster management.

• Diverse Applications Across Industries: UAVs find applications across diverse industries in India, including agriculture (for crop monitoring and spraying), infrastructure (for surveying and mapping), mining (for exploration and surveillance), oil & gas (for pipeline inspection), and public safety (for disaster response and surveillance).

• Increasing Investment and Funding: There has been a significant increase in investment and funding in the Indian UAV market, with both domestic and international players investing in research, development, and manufacturing capabilities. This influx of capital is driving innovation, product development, and market expansion.

• Demand for Security and Surveillance Solutions: The growing need for security and surveillance solutions, especially in border areas, urban spaces, and critical infrastructure, is driving the adoption of UAVs by government agencies, law enforcement, and defense organizations. UAVs offer cost-effective and versatile solutions for monitoring and response purposes.

• Emergence of Commercial Applications: Commercial applications of UAVs, such as aerial photography, filming, delivery services, and e-commerce logistics, are gaining traction in India. Companies are exploring UAVs as a means to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and access remote or difficult-to-reach locations, driving market growth in the commercial sector.

• Focus on Agricultural Modernization: India’s agriculture sector is witnessing a shift towards modernization and precision farming techniques, driving the demand for UAVs for crop monitoring, yield estimation, and pest/disease detection. UAVs equipped with advanced sensors and imaging technology provide farmers with real-time data and insights to optimize crop management practices, improve productivity, and reduce input costs, contributing to the growth of the UAV market in the agricultural sector.

Indian UAV Market: Partnership and Acquisitions

• In 2023, The Indian Navy achieved a milestone by conducting successful landing and take-off tests of an indigenous UAV from the deck of INS Vikrant, its indigenous aircraft carrier. With full operational status attained, INS Vikrant will debut in Milan naval wargames in February 2024.

• In 2022, DJI unveiled the DJI Air 3 drone, featuring an f/1.7 main camera with a 24mm equivalent focal length and an f/2.4 telephoto lens with a 70mm equivalent focal length. This dual-camera setup enhances versatility for aerial photography and videography.

Report Scope

Indian UAV Market: COVID-19 Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the India UAV Market, with the industry experiencing both positive and negative effects. Here are some of the key impacts:

• Disruption in Supply Chains: COVID-19 led to disruptions in global supply chains, affecting the availability of components and materials required for UAV manufacturing in India. Delays in production and delivery timelines impacted the launch of new products and fulfilment of orders, hindering market growth.

• Decreased Demand from Key Sectors: Key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and construction, which are significant users of UAV technology, experienced slowdowns, and disruptions due to the pandemic. Reduced demand for UAVs in these sectors, coupled with budget constraints, led to a decline in market activity and revenue.

• Resumption of Economic Activities: As economic activities resume and industries recover from the impact of COVID-19, there will be a resurgence in demand for UAVs across sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, mining, and public safety. This rebound in economic activity will drive market growth and stimulate investments in UAV technology.

• Government Support and Stimulus Packages: Government support through stimulus packages and initiatives aimed at reviving the economy post-COVID-19 will provide a boost to the UAV market in India. Incentives, subsidies, and policy reforms to promote innovation, research, and development in UAV technology will encourage investment and expansion in the sector.

• Focus on Health and Safety Applications: There will be an increased focus on UAV applications for health and safety purposes, such as medical supply delivery, contactless delivery of essential goods, and monitoring adherence to social distancing norms. These applications will drive demand for UAVs and create new market opportunities in the post-pandemic era.

• Adoption of Remote Monitoring Solutions: The pandemic has underscored the importance of remote monitoring and surveillance solutions to ensure business continuity and operational efficiency. UAVs equipped with advanced sensors and imaging technology will be increasingly deployed for remote monitoring of infrastructure, agricultural fields, and industrial facilities, driving market growth.

In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a mixed impact on the Indian UAV Market, with some challenges and opportunities arising from the pandemic.

List of the prominent players in the Indian UAV Market:

• ideaForge Technology Pvt Ltd
• Quidich Innovation Labs Pvt Ltd
• Asteria Aerospace Pvt Ltd
• Omnipresent Robot Tech Pvt Ltd
• Aero360 Innovations Pvt Ltd
• Throttle Aerospace Systems Pvt Ltd
• Skylark Drones Pvt Ltd
• Johnnette Technologies Pvt Ltd
• Airpix Geoanalytics Pvt Ltd
• Edall Systems
• Aarav Unmanned Systems Pvt Ltd
• DNA Networks Pvt Ltd
• RCI Aerospace Pvt Ltd
• Indrone Systems Pvt Ltd
• Avian UAVs Pvt Ltd
• Others

The Indian UAV Market is segmented as follows:

By Type

• Fixed wing UAVs
• Rotary-wing UAVs (Drones)
• Hybrid UAVs
• Nano and Micro UAVs
• Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) UAVs

By Technology

• Fixed-wing vs. Rotary-wing
• Autonomous vs. Remote-controlled
• Propulsion
• Sensors and Payloads

By Application

• Military and Defense
• Commercial
• Consumer
• Others

By Capacity

• Small UAVs (Micro and Mini)
• Medium UAVs
• Large UAVs (HAPS – High Altitude Pseudo-Satellites)
• Payload Capacity (Light, Medium, Heavy)