Anti-drone Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Mitigation Type, By Defense Type (Detection & Disruption, Detection), By End Use (Military & Defense, Commercial), And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2026

Industry Insights

The global anti-drone market size was valued at USD 576.7 million in 2018 and is expected to witness unprecedented growth over the forecast period. There has been a significant rise in the adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for commercial and recreational applications across the globe. This has resulted in a considerable increase in the number of security breach incidents at public places and critical government infrastructure. Detection and identification of these drones have become vital factors for security maintenance, thereby propelling market growth.

Drones with integrated cameras have paved opportunistic ways for professionals seeking a way for aerial photography. However, the rising adoption of these unmanned aerial vehicles has resulted in growing safety concerns among government. Increased usage of these unauthorized flying objects for spying through backyards and windows has increased the threats to national security worldwide. These aircraft systems consist of various sensors that are capable of recording video and audio regardless of the time and place. In order to counter them, manufacturers are increasingly developing innovative UAV mitigation technologies that restrict the drones from flying in unauthorized airspace.

Prominent federal authorities across the world such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S. are supporting the development and commercialization of advanced drone detection and mapping technologies, as they offer accurate tracking and enhanced detection, along with anti-jamming and direction finding (DF) capabilities. Market incumbents are significantly expanding their manufacturing capacities to cater to the rising demand for anti-drone systems, further supporting the market growth.

Governments generally utilize missiles and Air Force fighters on standby as part of their air defense. However, in case of threats from small drones and UAVs, such missiles and fighter aircraft prove ineffective to counter the threats. In an attempt to address such threats, companies, and governments across the globe are increasingly investing in the development and commercialization of counter-drone technologies.

Manufacturers are incorporating various drone-detection techniques into their anti-drone systems in order to enhance their overall performance. Different systems rely on different techniques for detecting these aircraft systems. Prominent drone detection and identification techniques include radar-based detection, radio-frequency (RF) detection, and infrared radiation (IR) and electro-optical (EO) detection. RF jamming is one of the popular techniques that prevent the movement of drones in unauthorized airspace. Jamming disrupts the radio link between the system and its operator, resulting in its grounding. Adoption of such technologies is expected to boost market growth over the next few years.

Mitigation Type Insights

Based on the mitigation type, the market is segmented into destructive and non-destructive systems. The destructive system segment emerged as the largest revenue-generating segment in 2018 and is anticipated to maintain its lead over the forecast period. This segment is further segregated into laser system, electronic countermeasure, and missile effector.

The laser system segment is expected to account for a substantial share in terms of revenue over the forecast period. These types of systems destroy various critical portions of the drone’s airframe by using directed energy, which causes it to crash to the ground. Furthermore, certain low-power lasers are intended to destroy electro-optical (EO) sensors mounted to the target, thereby ceasing the functioning of the UAV.

The electronic countermeasure segment is poised to witness rapid growth from 2019 to 2026. Counter-UAV systems employing electronic countermeasures typically include high-powered microwave and electromagnetic weapons that are designed for the transmission of strong electromagnetic signals. These strong signals, when directed towards unauthorized UAVs, prevent data transmission between the operator and the device, thereby terminating the overall drone operations.

End-use Insights

The military and defense segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period. Steep rise in illegal and terrorist activities worldwide, such as the smuggling of contraband and border trespassing, is expected to majorly drive the adoption of counter-UAV systems among the defense forces around the world. Increasing expenditure on R&D by prime defense contractors, coupled with the rising use of anti-drone systems by various military forces for protection against intruders, is expected to significantly contribute to the growth of the military and defense end-use segment.

The commercial sector is anticipated to witness high demand for anti-drone systems over the forecast period. Rising need for counter-UAV technologies in various commercial locations, including airports, prisons, live events, and critical infrastructure, is expected to enable the adoption of such systems across these venues. Several busy airports and hubs across the globe are increasingly implementing a wide range of drone defense measures for the protection of their harbored aircraft against unauthorized drones intruding into the commercial airspace and risking collisions.

Defense Type Insights

By defense type, the market is bifurcated into detection systems and detection and disruption systems. The detection and disruption systems segment is expected to emerge as the largest revenue-generating segment over the forecast period. These defense measures are primarily used for detection, identification, and classification of UAVs, and to undergo neutralization steps to counter the unauthorized drones.

Detection systems are anticipated to expand at the highest CAGR over the forecast period. These systems involve various techniques for the detection and identification of drones, including the reflectance of a particular photon, radar reflectance, acoustic and electromagnetic emissions, and induced magnetic field. These systems are witnessing an increasing demand owing to the rising number of security breach incidents across the globe. Key counter-drone technology providers and system manufacturers are offering a wide range of professional equipment for drone detection, tracking, and identification in order to cater to this rising demand. These equipment include several perimeter detection and surveillance radars, RF spectrum analyzers, video and infrared systems, and acoustic sensors.

Regional Insights

North America is expected to dominate the global market over the forecast period. The aerospace and defense sector, especially in the U.S., is witnessing growing adoption of anti-drone systems and technologies. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S. has been testing various counter-UAS technologies at several airports across the country over the past few years, further escalating the product demand. In addition, the U.S. military forces, along with the other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members, have been using these systems in war-torn areas of Afghanistan and Syria, resulting in escalating product sales across the region.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to exhibit the fastest growth over the next few years owing to the increased government spending on the development of aerospace and defense infrastructure across various countries, such as India and China. In addition, numerous institutions and companies across the region including NovaSky, China National Nuclear Corporation, and the Beijing Institute of Technology are forming collaborative partnerships to focus on the R&D of counter-UAS technologies, instigating immense potential to the regional market size.

Anti-drone Market Share Insights

The global market is fragmented in nature and it incorporates a large number of innovators and startups developing advanced counter-UAS technologies. Prominent players in the market include Dedrone GmbH, Advanced Radar Technologies, Droneshield, Thales Group, Blighter Surveillance Systems, Airbus Group SE, and The Boeing Company. Participants are continuously focusing on the development of advanced and safer counter-UAV technologies, such as the usage of a specially designed parachute and net combo, for capturing the drones safely with minimal or no collateral damage.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2026. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global anti-drone market report on the basis of mitigation type, defense type, end-use, and region:

• Mitigation Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2026)

  • Destructive System

    • Laser System

    • Missile Effector

    • Electronic Countermeasure

  • Non-destructive System

• Defense Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2026)

  • Drone Detection & Disruption Systems

  • Drone Detection Systems

• End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2026)

  • Military & Defense

  • Commercial

  • Government

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2026)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • The U.K.

    • Germany

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

  • Latin America

  • Middle East & Africa