India Drone Market by Platform (Civil and Commercial, Defense), Point of Sale (OEM, Aftermarket), Application (Military, Commercial, Government and Law Enforcement, Consumer), Systems and Industry - Forecast to 2029
[281 Pages Report] The India Drone Market is projected to grow from USD 654 Million in 2024 to USD 1,437 Million by 2029, at a CAGR of 17.0% during the forecast period. The Drone volume in the India Drone Market is projected to grow from 10,803 Units in 2024 to 61,393 Units by 2029. The India drone market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing demand across various sectors, including agriculture, defense, and e-commerce. Supportive government policies and initiatives like the Drone Shakti scheme have further expanded the industry.
Investments are surging, with substantial funding flowing into R&D and startup ecosystems specializing in advanced drone technologies. This includes enhancements in long-range capabilities and battery life, which are critical for India’s vast and diverse terrain. The market is also witnessing a shift from primarily military uses to a broad spectrum of commercial applications, including agriculture for crop assessment, urban planning for smart city initiatives, and healthcare for medical supply delivery. The entrepreneurial landscape is vibrant, with numerous startups emerging as frontrunners due to their innovative approaches in drone technology. This growth is supported by robust government initiatives aiming to foster world-class drone testing and piloting infrastructure, further positioning India as a global leader in this high-potential market. Moreover, the adoption of drones is being catalyzed by their critical role in modernizing India’s infrastructure and improving service delivery mechanisms in both urban and rural areas
In conclusion, the Indian drone market is set for unprecedented growth with a promising future. It is characterized by innovative startups, supportive government policies, and a wide array of applications that extend far beyond traditional boundaries, making it a pivotal element in India's technological ascendancy. This dynamic sector is anticipated to be a cornerstone in the digital and physical infrastructure expansion essential for India's next phase of growth and development.
India Drone Market Forecast to 2029
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India Drone Market- Market Dynamics
Driver: Growing emphasis on precision farming
The Indian economy is largely based on agriculture, which is the main livelihood source for the vast majority of its rural population. Its economic stability is significantly influenced by its agricultural output, which plays a crucial role in its export sector. However, the agricultural sector lags in adopting modern technological advancements. The primary challenges facing this sector include crop failures caused by unfavorable weather and uncontrolled pest attacks. Even today, many Indian farmers rely on seasonal monsoon rains to water their crops and continue to use traditional farming techniques.
Drones offer various applications to address the various challenges plaguing Indian agriculture. Through precision agriculture and the introduction of novel farming methods, drones enable farmers to boost their crop yield, minimize expenses, and enhance the ecological sustainability of their practices. This shift can ensure a stable and enduring food supply for the rapidly expanding Indian population. IoT devices deployed across agricultural lands gather essential information about factors affecting crop development and productivity, such as soil moisture levels, temperatures, and humidity. Utilizing this data allows for effectively monitoring and managing these factors, determining the ideal time for planting, harvesting, and disease detection.
Restraints: High dependence on foreign suppliers
The lack of a matured domestic ecosystem for drone components forces manufacturers to import materials and introduces several restraints within the Indian drone market. The dependency on foreign suppliers makes the industry vulnerable to international market fluctuations, exchange rate volatilities, and potential geopolitical conflicts that could disrupt supply chains. This reliance inhibits the growth of indigenous capabilities, limiting advancements in drone technology tailored to India's unique requirements and conditions. The government aims to encourage local manufacturing by imposing import restrictions while exempting components, paradoxically maintaining this dependency, underscoring the need for a more comprehensive approach to developing an internal component manufacturing base. The lack of a domestic component ecosystem can lead to increased costs for manufacturers, making drones less competitive in domestic and international markets. To overcome these restraints, a concerted government and private sector effort is essential to build a robust component manufacturing ecosystem that can support the burgeoning drone industry.
Opportunities: Rising use of drones in logistics industry
Global supply networks are undergoing a fundamental shift as the post-pandemic world settles into a new normal. The increasing demands of consumers and the necessity for businesses to offer an enhanced customer experience are driving the need for supply chains that are swifter, more integrated, and economically viable. The rising expectation for immediate and within-the-day deliveries prompts merchants and logistic companies to explore alternatives to traditional, vehicle-dependent delivery networks.
In 2022, The World Economic Forum reported that the global daily delivery of packages and documents reached 85 million. In addition to managing this immense volume of shipments, research indicates that the final segment of delivery, often referred to as the last mile, is usually the most time-intensive part of the shipping process and accounts for about half of the entire cost associated with logistics. As logistics stakeholders seek remedies for the inefficiencies plaguing the last stretch of delivery, many companies are adopting drone technology.
Drones help manage operational expenses, navigate traffic constraints, and cut down on vehicle emissions, all while meeting the rising consumer demand for swift and on-demand delivery services. Although initially developed for military use, drones are now revolutionizing the supply chain and logistics industries, with diverse applications ranging from warehouse management and geolocation services to inspecting and mapping dangerous areas and delivering packages.
Challenges: Limited payload capacity
It is essential to figure out how the weight a drone carries can impact its flight. Heavier payloads require more power to lift and maintain flight, reducing flight times. This is compounded by varied climates, from hot, dry regions to humid coastal areas, affecting battery performance and motor efficiency. Moreover, adhering to drone regulations, which dictate weight categories and payload limits, adds to this complexity. Innovations in battery technology, materials science, and aerodynamic design are key to overcoming these challenges, as they can enable drones to carry heavier payloads without significantly compromising flight time. Operational strategies, such as optimizing flight paths and conducting mid-mission battery swaps, also play a role in mitigating the impact of payloads on flight durations.
India Drone Market Ecosystem
Companies that provide Drones include government firms, industries, commercial, and military as key stakeholders in the Indian drone market. Investors, funders, academic researchers, integrators, service providers, and licensing authorities are the major influencers in this market. Prominent companies in this market include Paras Aerospace, ideaforge Technology Ltd., Throttle Aerospace Systems Pvt. Ltd., Garuda Aerospace, Asteria Aerospace Limited, General Aeronautics, and Newspace Research Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Iotechworld, Adani Defense and Aerospace, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, CDSpace, Thanos, Dhaksha Unmanned Systems, Marut Dronetech Private Limited, Hubblefly Technologies, Raphe
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The Platform systems segment is projected to hold the highest share of the market by the system during the forecast period.
The segment concerning system platforms is projected to be the market leader. There is an increasing need for drones in various industries such as agriculture, defense, entertainment, and delivery services. The fundamental components of drones are platform systems, which encompass the airframe, propulsion system, and both avionics and software. Growth in these industries is expected to boost investments in drone development and procurement, which in turn will have a significant impact on the market size of platform systems.
The logistics and transportation segment is projected to grow at the highest rate according to industry type.
Based on industry type, logistics, and transportation are projected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period. this surge is primarily driven by the booming e-commerce industry, significant investments in infrastructure development, and policy reforms aimed at enhancing trade facilitation. Moreover, the rapid urbanization and the need for efficient supply chain solutions to cater to a vast and diverse market further fuel this growth, positioning India as a key player in the global logistics and transportation landscape.
The OEM segment is projected to hold the highest share of the market by the point of sale during the forecast period.
The dominance of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) sector in India's drone market stems from robust government support for local manufacturing, substantial demand from both military and commercial sectors, and progress in indigenous drone technology. The affordability of drones produced in India, along with their export potential, further consolidates the OEM segment's leading position in the market.
Key Market Players
Major Service providers in this market are India-based drone manufacturing companies, such as Paras Aerospace (India), ideaforge Technology Ltd.(India), Throttle Aerospace Systems Pvt. Ltd. (India), Garuda Aerospace (India), Asteria Aerospace Limited (India), General Aeronautics (India), and Newspace Research Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (India), Iotechworld (India), Adani Defense and Aerospace (India), Tata Advanced Systems Limited (India), Thanos (India), Dhaksha Unmanned Systems (India), Marut Dronetech Private Limited (India), Hubblefly Technologies (India), Raphe (India) like more than 25 companies have been analyzed based on different parameters, including product portfolios, recent developments, business strategies, and organic and inorganic growth, among others.
Scope of the India Drone Market Report
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Report Metric |
Details |
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Estimated Market Size
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USD 654 Million in 2024 |
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Projected Market Size |
USD 1437 Million by 2029 |
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Growth Rate (CAGR) |
17.0% |
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Market size available for years |
2020–2029 |
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Volume Size Available for years |
2020- 2029 |
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Base year considered |
2023 |
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Forecast period |
2024-2029 |
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Forecast units |
Value (USD Billion) Volume (Units) |
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Segments Covered |
By Platform, By Systems, By Application, By Industry, By Point of sale |
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Geographies covered |
India |
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Companies covered |
Paras Aerospace (India), ideaforge Technology Ltd. (India), Throttle Aerospace Systems Pvt. Ltd. (India), Garuda Aerospace (India), Asteria Aerospace Limited (India), General Aeronautics (India), and Newspace Research Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (India), Iotechworld (India), Adani Defense and Aerospace (India), Tata Advanced Systems Limited (India), Thanos (India), Dhaksha Unmanned Systems (India), Marut Dronetech Private Limited (India), Hubblefly Technologies (India), Raphe (India) like more than 25 companies have been analyzed based on different parameters, including product portfolios, recent developments, business strategies, and organic and inorganic growth, among others. |
India Drone Market Highlights
The study categorizes India drone market based on Forecast By Platform, Systems, Application, Industry, and point of sale.
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Segment |
Subsegment |
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By Platform |
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By Systems |
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By Industry |
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By Applications |
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By Point of Sale |
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Recent Developments
- In March 2024, BEML has signed an MoU with Garuda Aerospace, wherein BEML will assemble and integrate drones. This partnership involves the execution of a developmental order to gain insight into the technological know-how and to establish necessary facilities for drone production.
- In September 2023, GalaxEye Space Solutions Pvt. Ltd. and ideaForge Technology Ltd. entered into an agreement to create a UAV equipped with a foliage penetration radar to be used by the Indian security forces. Under this agreement, ideaForge will bring its expertise in UAV technology, combining it with GalaxEye’s advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Addressed by the Report:
Which are the major companies in the India Drone Market? What are their major strategies to strengthen their market presence?
Some of the key players in the Military Vehicle Sustainment market Paras Aerospace, ideaforge Technology Ltd., Throttle Aerospace Systems Pvt. Ltd., Garuda Aerospace, Asteria Aerospace Limited, General Aeronautics, and Newspace Research Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Iotechworld, Adani Defense and Aerospace, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, CDSpace, Thanos, Dhaksha Unmanned Systems, Marut Dronetech Private Limited, Hubblefly Technologies, Raphe and among others, are the drones providers that in India for various application, industry vectors.
What government schemes and initiatives have promoted the use of drones in India?
Programs like the Digital Sky Platform, the Garuda initiative for COVID-19 operations, and the PLI scheme for drone manufacturing are key government efforts supporting the drone industry.are also actively investing in the development of Military Vehicles around the region.
What are some new use cases for drones that are emerging in India?
New use cases include using drones for delivering medical supplies in rural areas, crowd monitoring during large public events, and using AI-integrated drones for predictive maintenance in industrial settings.
How has drone technology been adopted across different sectors in India?
Adoption varies significantly by sector; agriculture, mining, and infrastructure have seen rapid growth in drone usage, largely for monitoring and surveying tasks.
What factors impact the drone market in India?
Key factors include regulatory policies, technological advancements, market demand for various drone applications, and economic conditions influencing funding and investment in drone technology.
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This research study on the India drone market market involved the extensive use of secondary sources, directories, and databases, such as Hoovers, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and Factiva, to identify and collect information relevant to the market. The primary sources considered included industry experts, as well as manufacturers, system providers, technology developers, alliances, and organizations related to all segments of the value chain of this UAV industry. In-depth interviews with various primary respondents, including key industry participants, subject-matter experts (SME), industry consultants, and C-level executives, were conducted to obtain and verify critical qualitative and quantitative information pertaining to the market and assess its growth prospects.
Secondary Research
The ranking analysis of companies in the Indian drone market was carried out using secondary data from paid and unpaid sources and by analyzing the product portfolios and service offerings of key companies operating in the market. These companies were rated based on their performance, market strategies, application footprint, type certification for drones, funding, and quality of their products. These data points were further validated by primary sources.
Secondary sources referred to for this research study included financial statements of companies offering UAVs for defense and government, as well as civil and commercial platforms, along with information from various trade, business, and professional.
Primary Research
Extensive primary research was conducted after obtaining information about the current scenario of the India drone market through secondary research. Several primary interviews were conducted with market experts from both the demand and supply sides across six regions of the drone ecosystem. This primary data was collected through questionnaires, emails, and telephonic interviews.
In the primary research process, various sources from both, the supply and demand sides were interviewed to obtain qualitative and quantitative information on the market. The primary sources from the supply side included various industry experts, such as chief X officers (CXO), vice presidents (VP), and directors from business development, marketing, and product development/innovation teams; related key executives from the market participants, such as ideaforge, independent drone consultants and researcher; importers; distributors of drone systems and payload for drones; and the key opinion leaders.
Primary interviews were conducted to gather insights related to market statistics, revenue data collected from various products and services, market breakdowns, market size estimations, market size forecasting, and data triangulation. Primary research also helped analyze the point of sale, platform, system, industry, application, type, and segments of the market. Stakeholders from the demand side, such as CXO, production managers, and maintenance engineers, were interviewed to understand buyers' perspectives on product suppliers and service providers, along with their current usage. It also helped in understanding the future outlook of their businesses that would affect the overall India drone market.
To know about the assumptions considered for the study, download the pdf brochure
Market Size Estimation
The research methodology used to estimate the size of the India drone market includes the following details.
- The top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the size of the India drone market. The research methodology used to estimate the market size includes the following details.
- The key players were identified through secondary research, and their market ranking was determined through primary and secondary research. This included a study of the annual and financial reports of the top market players and extensive interviews of leaders, including chief executive officers (CEO), directors, and marketing executives.
- All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns were determined using secondary sources and verified through primary sources. All possible parameters that affect the markets covered in this research study were accounted for, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to obtain the final quantitative and qualitative data. This data was consolidated, enhanced with detailed inputs, analyzed by MarketsandMarkets, and presented in this report.
India Drone Market Size: Bottom-Up Approach
The bottom-up approach was employed to determine the overall size of the India drone market from the revenues of the key players in the market.
All types of drones used across different industries were considered to estimate the size of the Indian drone market. The final numbers were derived based on the demand for drones from military, government and law enforcement, commercial, and consumer applications. Independent approaches were used to estimate the demand for UAVs in each application. The India drone market, by platform, was used as a primary segment for the estimation and projection of the global market size from 2024 to 2029.
The estimation of the size of the military application segment of the UAV market was carried out by considering several parameters, such as the defense budget spent, new contracts, current or future indigenous drone programs, and an active fleet of drones. These parameters were studied for each military drone type, and the military platform volume size was obtained; a further product of these volume sizes and average selling price led to the India market size. The military drone market, by platform, was used as a primary segment for estimating and projecting the global market size from 2024 to 2029.
India Drone Market Size: Top Down Approach
In the top-down approach, the size of the India drone market was used to estimate the size of individual markets (mentioned in the market segmentation) through percentage splits from secondary and primary research. For the calculation of the sizes of specific segments, the size of the most appropriate immediate parent market was used to implement the top-down approach.
- In the top-down approach, the overall market size was used to estimate the size of individual markets (mentioned in the market segmentation) acquired through percentage splits from secondary and primary research.
- The size of the most appropriate and immediate parent market has been used to calculate specific market segments to implement the top-down approach.
- Companies providing drones in india are included in the report.
- The total revenue of these companies has been identified through their annual reports and other authentic sources. In cases where annual reports are unavailable, company earnings have been estimated based on the number of employees, Factiva, ZoomInfo, press releases, and publicly available data.
- Company revenue has been calculated based on the revenue of companies.
- All publicly available company contracts related to the India drone market have been mapped and summed up.
- Based on the parameters (contracts, agreements, partnerships, joint ventures, product matrix, secondary research), the share of the India drone market in each segment has been estimated.
Data Triangulation
After arriving at the overall market size, the total market has been split into several segments and subsegments. The data triangulation and market breakdown procedures explained below have been implemented, wherever applicable, to complete the overall market engineering process and arrive at the estimated market numbers for India drone market segments and subsegments. The data has been triangulated by studying various factors and trends from both the demand and supply sides. Along with this, the market size was validated using the top-down and bottom-up approaches.
Market Definition
The India drone market encompasses the design, manufacture, and assembly, maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO), replacement of parts, simulation and training (exclude third-party training) of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which means the drones across a wide spectrum of applications, ranging from commercial to governmental and military uses. This market segment includes various drone platforms, such as micro, small, medium, and large models for civil, commercial, and military purposes, as well as small, tactical, and strategic models.
Definition- Drones are remotely piloted, optionally piloted, or fully autonomous aerial UAVs.
Classification of civil and commercial drones based on maximum all-up weight, including payload as per India drone rule, 2021, be classified as follows:
- Micro Drones weighing over 250 grams but less than or equal to 2 kilograms
- Small Drones weighing over 2 kilograms but less than or equal to 25 kilograms
- Medium Drones weighing more than 25 kilograms but less than or equal to 150 kilograms
- Large Drones weighing more than 150 kilograms
Classification of military drones based on platforms can be classified as follows:
- Small Drones include nano, micro, and mini drones that fly at an altitude of less than 350 meters
- Tactical Drones fly at altitudes ranging between 3,000 and 8,000 meters and are principally used in military applications.
- Strategic Drones are High-altitude long-endurance (HALE) and medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs that fall under the category of strategic drones. These UAVs tend to be heavy at high altitudes and, hence, require long endurance and increased range.
Market Stakeholders
- Drone Manufacturers and Developers
- Drone Component Manufacturers and Providers
- Raw Material Suppliers
- Distributors
- Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Companies
- Government Agencies
- Investors And Financial Community Professionals
- Research Organizations
- Drone Service Providers
- Drone Consultancy
- Drone Legal Advisors
Report Objectives
- To define, describe, and forecast the India drone market based on system, platform, application, industry, and point of sale from 2024 to 2029
- To forecast the size of various segments of the market with respect to India only
- To identify and analyze key drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges influencing the growth of the market
- To strategically analyze micromarkets1 with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the market
- To analyze opportunities for stakeholders in the market by identifying key market trends
- To analyze competitive developments such as contracts, acquisitions, agreements, deals and product launches in the market
- To provide a detailed competitive landscape of the market, in addition to an analysis of business and corporate strategies adopted by leading market players
- To strategically profile key market players and comprehensively analyze their core competencies2.
Available Customizations
MarketsAndMarkets offers the following customizations for this market report:
- Additional subsegmental level analysis of the India Drone market
- Profiling of additional market players (up to 5)
Product Analysis
- Product matrix, which provides a detailed comparison of the product portfolio of each company in the India drone market
Growth opportunities and latent adjacency in India Drone Market