Report Overview

India Drone Market – Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2030

India Drone Market size was estimated at USD 1.20 billion in 2023. During the forecast period between 2024 and 2030, the India Drone Market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 22.15% reaching a value of USD 4.87 billion by 2030. The India drone market is experiencing substantial growth, primarily fueled by the increasing adoption of drones across various non-commercial applications such as aerial cinematography, land surveys, agriculture, mining, disaster management, construction, and mapping national infrastructure. This burgeoning sector holds immense potential to revolutionize defense, surveillance, internal security, healthcare, geo-spatial mapping, and more. Furthermore, government initiatives, represented by policies like the Production-linked Incentive (PLI), underscore a commitment to fostering the manufacturing of drones and components, aiming to position India as a global drone hub by 2030. With robust government support and a diverse range of applications, the India drone industry is poised for significant expansion in the years ahead.

Drone – Overview

A drone also known as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operates without a human pilot on board. These aircraft can be remotely controlled by a human operator or autonomously programmed to follow a pre-defined flight path. Drones come in various sizes and types, ranging from small consumer quadcopters for recreational use to sophisticated military-grade unmanned aircraft. They are equipped with sensors, cameras, or other payloads for tasks such as surveillance, aerial photography, agriculture, and even package delivery. Drones have gained widespread popularity and utility due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and ability to access areas that may be difficult or dangerous for human-piloted aircraft.

India Drone Market

Growth Drivers

Government Support in the Drone Industry

Government regulations and supportive policies have emerged as pivotal factors propelling the growth of the India drone market. As per the PIB 2023 data, in alignment with the Atmanirbhar Bharat policy, the Government approved the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, allocating INR 120 crore over three financial years specifically for drones and drone components. This visionary policy enforces a consistent PLI rate of 20% for the entire duration, a noteworthy exception tailored exclusively for the drone industry. The government's commitment is underscored by the release of a provisional list featuring 23 PLI beneficiaries, comprising 12 drone manufacturers and 11 drone component manufacturers. The FY 2022-23 budget further showcased the commitment to fostering innovation with the introduction of the Drone Shakti scheme, designed to promote start-ups in Drone-As-A-Service (DrAAS). These strategic measures collectively reflect the government's commitment to the development of the burgeoning drone industry, laying a robust foundation for its sustained development and innovation in India.

Challenges

Increasing Cybersecurity Threats

The burgeoning drone market in India faces a formidable hurdle due to cybersecurity threats, posing a significant challenge to its anticipated growth in the years ahead. Drones are susceptible to unauthorized access, potentially leading to data breaches, misuse of critical information, or, in more alarming scenarios, the possibility of harm if the drone is weaponized. The inherent vulnerabilities in drone systems expose them to a range of cyber threats that could compromise their functionality and compromise sensitive data. Beyond the realm of privacy concerns, the misuse of drones for activities such as espionage or, even more sinisterly, terrorist attacks adds another layer of complexity to the security landscape. The prospect of weaponizing drones raises ethical dilemmas, particularly concerning their deployment in conflict zones. As the drone industry continues to witness rapid advancements, the imperative to address and mitigate cybersecurity threats becomes paramount.

Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on India Drone Market

Rising geopolitical tensions, especially in India, have the potential to damage the country's drone companies. India's increasing geopolitical prominence has resulted in a repositioning of its strategic worth, which may have ramifications for the drone industry. The country's rising power and leverage in border disputes with surrounding nations, such as China, can have an impact on the regulatory and investment environment for the drone sector. Furthermore, global economic risks originating from geopolitical tensions, as indicated by tighter controls on trade and foreign investment in many countries, may have an impact on India's drone sector. The drone business is further impacted by government policies and efforts. India's positive attitude toward professional manufacturing, as well as the assistance provided to the agriculture drone industry through policy discussions and investment forecasts, indicate a strong market outlook. However, the impact of escalating geopolitical tensions on the global economy, such as the recent events in the Middle East, as well as the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, can create challenges for the drone sector in India.

India Drone Market

Segmental Coverage

India Drone Market – By Type

Based on type, the India drone market is segmented into fixed wing drones, rotary wing drones, and others. The fixed wing drone segment is expected to hold a significant share of the market during the forecast period owing to its distinct advantages in endurance, range, and efficiency. Fixed-wing drones excel in covering larger geographic areas and conducting extended surveillance missions, making them particularly well-suited for applications such as agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and defense. Their ability to cover vast territories in a single flight, coupled with advancements in technology that enhance their maneuverability, ensures their prominence in diverse sectors. As industries increasingly recognize the value of long-range capabilities and extended flight times, the fixed-wing drone segment contributes to the overall growth in the market.

India Drone Market – By Component

Based on components, the India drone market is segmented into hardware and software. During the forecast period, the hardware segment is anticipated to hold a significant market share. The surge in demand for drones across various sectors such as agriculture, surveillance, and logistics has propelled the significance of robust and advanced hardware components. As technological advancements continue to shape the drone industry, hardware innovations play a pivotal role in enhancing performance, ensuring safety, and expanding the range of applications. With an increasing number of businesses and government agencies integrating drones into their operations, the hardware segment is poised to maintain its stronghold and drive further advancements in the India drone market.

India Drone Market – By Payload

Based on payload, the India drone market is segmented into <2Kg, 2 Kg -25 Kg, 25 Kg-150 Kg, and >150Kg. The <2 kg payload segment is anticipated to hold a significant share of the India drone market during the forecast period due to its versatility, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with regulatory frameworks, fostering increased adoption across various industries. As businesses and government agencies increasingly leverage the capabilities of these drones for tasks ranging from crop monitoring to last-mile delivery. From efficient crop monitoring to streamlined last-mile delivery, the lightweight drones in this segment are proving helpful in addressing a diverse array of industry needs. These factors surge the demand for <2Kg payload and further boost the market growth.

India Drone Market – By Region

The in-depth research report on the India drone market covers several major countries across the region: North India, South India, East India, and West India. The West India region is projected to be the fastest-growing region in the India drone market during the projected period due to the burgeoning ecosystem of tech hubs, research institutions, and innovative startups, in states. The region's conducive business environment, supportive government policies, and thriving entrepreneurial spirit have attracted investments and propelled the development of diverse drone applications across industries such as agriculture, infrastructure, and surveillance. As a result, West India stands out as a key driving force behind the expansion of the India drone market.                                                  

Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in the India Drone Market include ideaForge Technology Pvt. Ltd, Asteria Aerospace Pvt. Ltd, Throttle Aerospace Systems Pvt. Ltd, Adani Defence & Aerospace, UrbanMatrix Technologies, General Aeronautics, EDALLSYSTEMS, Dronix Technologies Private Limited, Marut Dronetech Private Limited, CerebroSpark. To further enhance their market share, these companies employ various strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, license agreements, and new product launches.

Recent Developments

• In November 2023 - Marut Drones unveiled its latest product, the Seedcopter 2.0, India's first reforestation drone. The business announced the availability of Seedcopter services to corporate clients, allowing them to actively participate in CSR and forestry initiatives. This company is interested in bringing together corporate entities and their dedicated CSR teams to use Seedcopters' services in the reforestation journey. The company fully participates in carbon footprint management while making a long-term and transformative impact on the environment. 

• In October 2023 - Optiemus Infracom, an electronics and telecom manufacturing business, announced its expansion into Unmanned Systems with the introduction of new drones designed and produced in India. The business displayed its varied variety of drones during the India Mobile Congress 2023. Optiemus Infracom's products feature cutting-edge technology, such as advanced sensors, secure communication systems, and tight safety measures.

Scope of the Report

By Type

• Fixed Wing Drones

• Rotary Wing Drones

• Others

By Component

• Hardware

• Software

By Weight

• <2 Kg

• 2 Kg -25 Kg

• 25 Kg-150 Kg

• >150Kg

By Point of Sales

• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)

• Aftermarket

By Application

• Filming and Photography

• Agriculture and Horticulture

• Inspection and Maintenance

• Mapping and Surveying

• Others (including, Surveillance and Monitoring, Delivery, and Logistics)

By End-Use Industry

• Individual

• Commercial

• Military

By Region

• North India

• South India

• East India

• West India

1. Research Framework
   1. Research Objective
   2. Product Overview
   3. Market Segmentation
2. Executive Summary
3. India Drone Market Insights
   1. Industry Value Chain Analysis
   2. DROC Analysis
      1. Growth Drivers
         1. Government support in the drone industry
         2. Building public awareness
         3. Cost-effectiveness and efficiency than traditional method
         4. Rapid advancements in drone technology
      2. Restraints
         1. Increasing privacy and security concerns
         2. Lack of skilled workforce
         3. Regulatory hurdles
      3. Opportunities
         1. Growing usage of drones for various purposes
         2. Integration with AI and automation
      4. Challenges
         1. Increasing cybersecurity threats
         2. Strong competition from global players
   3. Technological Advancements/Recent Developments
   4. Regulatory Framework
   5. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
      1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
      2. Bargaining Power of Buyers
      3. Threat of New Entrants
      4. Threat of Substitutes
      5. Intensity of Rivalry
4. India Drone Market: Marketing Strategies
5. India Drone Market Overview
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019-2030
      1. By Value (USD Billion)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Type
         1. Fixed Wing Drones
         2.  Rotary Wing Drones
         3. Others
      2. By Component
         1. Hardware
         2. Software
      3. By Weight
         1. <2 Kg
         2.  2 Kg -25 Kg
         3. 25 Kg-150 Kg
         4. >150Kg
      4. By Point of Sales
         1. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)
         2. Aftermarket
      5. By Application
         1. Filming and Photography
         2. Agriculture and Horticulture
         3. Inspection and Maintenance
         4. Mapping and Surveying
         5. Others (including, Surveillance and Monitoring, Delivery and Logistics)
      6. By End-Use Industry
         1. Individual
         2. Commercial
         3. Military
      7. By Region
         1. North India
         2. South India
         3. East India
         4. West India
6. North India Drone Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019-2030
      1. By Value (USD Billion)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Type
      2. By Component
      3. By Weight
      4. By Point of Sales
      5. By Application
      6. By End-Use Industry
7. South India Drone Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019-2030
      1. By Value (USD Billion)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Type
      2. By Component
      3. By Weight
      4. By Point of Sales
      5. By Application
      6. By End-Use Industry
8. East India Drone Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019-2030
      1. By Value (USD Billion)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Type
      2. By Component
      3. By Weight
      4. By Point of Sales
      5. By Application
      6. By End-Use Industry
9. West India Drone Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019-2030
      1. By Value (USD Billion)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Type
      2. By Component
      3. By Weight
      4. By Point of Sales
      5. By Application
      6. By End-Use Industry
10. Competitive Landscape
    1. List of Key Players and Their Offerings
    2. India Drone Market Company Market Share Analysis, 2023
    3. Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating Parameters
    4. Key Strategic Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, Partnerships, etc.)
11. Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tension on India Drone Market
12. Company Profile (Company Overview, Financial Matrix, Competitive Landscape, Key Personnel, Key Competitors, Contact Address, Strategic Outlook, SWOT Analysis)
    1. ideaForge Technology Pvt. Ltd
    2. Asteria Aerospace Pvt. Ltd
    3. Throttle Aerospace Systems Pvt. Ltd
    4. Adani Defence & Aerospace
    5. UrbanMatrix Technologies
    6. General Aeronautics
    7. EDALLSYSTEMS
    8. Dronix Technologies Private Limited
    9. Marut Dronetech Private Limited
    10. CerebroSpark
    11. Other Prominent Players
13. Key Strategic Recommendations
14. Research Methodology
    1.       Qualitative Research
       1.   Primary & Secondary Research
    2.       Quantitative Research
    3.       Market Breakdown & Data Triangulation
       1.   Secondary Research
       2.   Primary Research
    4.       Breakdown of Primary Research Respondents, By Country
    5.       Assumptions & Limitations

*Financial information of case of non-listed companies can be provided as per availability.

**The segmentation and the companies are subject to modifications based on in-depth secondary research for the final deliverable

List of Figures

Figure 1       India Drone Market Segmentation      

Figure 2       India Drone Market Value Chain Analysis      

Figure 3       Company Market Share Analysis, 2023

Figure 4       India Drone Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030     

Figure 5       India Drone Market Share, By Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Figure 6       India Drone Market Share, By Component, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030         

Figure 7       India Drone Market Share, By Weight, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030     

Figure 8       India Drone Market Share, By Point of Sales, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030         

Figure 9       India Drone Market Share, By Application, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Figure 10     India Drone Market Share, By Region, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030     

Figure 11     North India Drone Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030      

Figure 12     North India Drone Market Share, By Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Figure 13     North India Drone Market Share, By Component, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030         

Figure 14     North India Drone Market Share, By Weight, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030         

Figure 15     North India Drone Market Share, By Point of Sales, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Figure 16     North India Drone Market Share, By Application, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030         

Figure 17     South India Drone Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030     

Figure 18     South India Drone Market Share, By Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030         

Figure 19     South India Drone Market Share, By Component, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030 

Figure 20     South India Drone Market Share, By Weight, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030         

Figure 21     South India Drone Market Share, By Point of Sales, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030 

Figure 22     South India Drone Market Share, By Application, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030         

Figure 23     East India Drone Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030        

Figure 24     East India Drone Market Share, By Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030 

Figure 25     East India Drone Market Share, By Component, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030         

Figure 26     East India Drone Market Share, By Weight, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030         

Figure 27     East India Drone Market Share, By Point of Sales, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Figure 28     East India Drone Market Share, By Application, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030         

Figure 29     West India Drone Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030       

Figure 30     West India Drone Market Share, By Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Figure 31     West India Drone Market Share, By Component, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030         

Figure 32     West India Drone Market Share, By Weight, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030         

Figure 33     West India Drone Market Share, By Point of Sales, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Figure 34     West India Drone Market Share, By Application, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030         

List of Tables

Table 1        India Drone Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 2        India Drone Market Size, By Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 3        India Drone Market Size, By Component, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 4        India Drone Market Size, By Weight, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 5        India Drone Market Size, By Point of Sales, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 6        India Drone Market Size, By Application, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 7        India Drone Market Size, By Region, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 8        North India Drone Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 9        North India Drone Market Size, By Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 10      North India Drone Market Size, By Component, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 11      North India Drone Market Size, By Weight, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 12      North India Drone Market Size, By Point of Sales, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 13      North India Drone Market Size, By Application, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 14      South India Drone Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 15      South India Drone Market Size, By Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 16      South India Drone Market Size, By Component, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 17      South India Drone Market Size, By Weight, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 18      South India Drone Market Size, By Point of Sales, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 19      South India Drone Market Size, By Application, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 20      East India Drone Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 21      East India Drone Market Size, By Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 22      East India Drone Market Size, By Component, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 23      East India Drone Market Size, By Weight, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 24      East India Drone Market Size, By Point of Sales, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 25      East India Drone Market Size, By Application, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 26      West India Drone Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 27      West India Drone Market Size, By Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 28      West India Drone Market Size, By Component, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 29      West India Drone Market Size, By Weight, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 30      West India Drone Market Size, By Point of Sales, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 31      West India Drone Market Size, By Application, By Value (USD Billion), 2019-2030

Table 31      ideaForge Technology Pvt. Ltd Company Overview                    

Table 32      ideaForge Technology Pvt. Ltd Financial Overview                     

Table 33      Asteria Aerospace Pvt. Ltd Company Overview                          

Table 34      Asteria Aerospace Pvt. Ltd Financial Overview                           

Table 35      Throttle Aerospace Systems Pvt. Ltd Company Overview                     

Table 36      Throttle Aerospace Systems Pvt. Ltd Financial Overview                      

Table 37      Adani Defence & Aerospace Company Overview                         

Table 38      Adani Defence & Aerospace Financial Overview                         

Table 39      UrbanMatrix Technologies Company Overview                           

Table 40      UrbanMatrix Technologies Financial Overview                  

Table 41      General Aeronautics Company Overview                          

Table 42      General Aeronautics Financial Overview                           

Table 43      EDALLSYSTEMS Company Overview                       

Table 44      EDALLSYSTEMS Financial Overview                       

Table 45      Dronix Technologies Private Limited Company Overview                      

Table 46      Dronix Technologies Private Limited Financial Overview                       

Table 47      Marut Dronetech Private Limited Company Overview                           

Table 48      Marut Dronetech Private Limited Financial Overview                  

Table 49      CerebroSpark Company Overview                          

Table 50      CerebroSpark Financial Overview