세계의 타겟 드론 시장은 예측 기간인 2025-2032년의 CAGR이 7.52%로, 2024년 60억 2,000만 달러에서 2032년에는 107억 5,000만 달러로 성장할 것으로 예측됩니다. 표적 드론 시장은 국방 및 보안 서비스의 현실적인 훈련과 시뮬레이션에 대한 수요 증가로 인해 비약적으로 성장하고 있습니다. 이 표적 드론은 실탄 훈련이나 무기 시험에서 제공되는 것처럼 공중, 지상, 해상 위협을 안전하고 비용 효율적으로 시뮬레이션합니다. 자동화, 비행 제어, 모듈식 페이로드 기능 등 기술 발전으로 표적 드론의 범용성과 운용 효과가 확대되고 주도권이 높아집니다. 현대화되는 국방의 확대와 작전 및 전투 요구사항의 변화로 인해 부대는 점점 더 적응성과 서비스성이 높은 표적 시스템을 조달해야 합니다. 또한 군 외에도 법 집행 기관, 경찰, 긴급 대응 요원들이 복잡한 시나리오 훈련 연습을 통한 훈련, 작전 수행 능력 강화, 전술적 대비를 위해 표적 드론의 활용이 증가하고 있습니다.
예를 들어 2025년 5월, Diehl Defense GmbH & Co.KG와 RV Connex Co, Ltd.는 IRIS-T 공대공 미사일의 실사격 테스트를 지원하기 위한 JRV-01 표적 드론 납품 계약을 체결했습니다. 이 계약에는 무기의 내공증명을 위한 서비스도 포함되어 있으며, 복잡한 테스트 인프라 없이도 위협 시뮬레이션의 현실감을 높이는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다.
모든 부문은 대상이 되는 모든 지역과 국가에 대해 제공됩니다.
상기 기업은 시장 점유율에 따른 순위를 보유하지 않으며, 조사 작업 중 입수 가능한 정보에 따라 변경될 수 있습니다.
Global target drones market is projected to witness a CAGR of 7.52% during the forecast period 2025-2032, growing from USD 6.02 billion in 2024 to USD 10.75 billion in 2032. The target drone market is growing exponentially, fueled by the increasing demand for realistic training and simulation by defense and security services. These target drones simulate aerial, ground, and naval threats safely and cost-effectively, as offered by live-fire exercises and weapons testing. Advancements in technology, including automation and flight control, as well as modular payload capabilities, will broaden the versatility and operational effectiveness of target drones, providing them with increased initiative. The expansion of modernizing defense and shifting operational and combat requirements are also compelling troops to procure increasingly adaptable and serviceable target systems. Additionally, beyond the military, target drones are being increasingly used by law enforcement, police, and emergency responders for training, enhancing operational performance, and tactical readiness through complex scenario training exercises.
For instance, in May 2025, Diehl Defense GmbH & Co. KG and RV Connex Co., Ltd. signed a contract for the delivery of JRV-01 target drones to support live firing tests of the IRIS-T air-to-air missile. The agreement includes services for weapon airworthiness certification and aims to enhance the realism of threat simulation without requiring complex test infrastructure.
Increased Defense Spending Enhances Target Drone Market Growth
Strong growth in the target drone market is being driven by escalating military budgets, as military organizations focus on increasingly realistic threat simulation and advanced training capabilities. With added funding, military organizations can now procure advanced unmanned systems that replicate aerial, ground, and naval threats for live-fire training and weapon testing. The potential of employing these drones in the target drone capacity enhances operational readiness levels, reduces risk, and costs. Developments around autonomous navigation technologies, modular payloads, and the growing use of AI increase their capabilities across a range of combat options. Global geopolitical tensions are escalating, while modernization programs are intensifying, underscoring that target drones offer immense value in developing tactical proficiency and are essential to the future of defense worldwide.
For instance, in June 2025, Baykar Teknoloji A.S. successfully adapted its Kemankes 1 miniature cruise missile for aerial target interception. During testing, the rocket was launched from the Bayraktar AkIncI UCAV and autonomously intercepted airborne targets using an AI-assisted optical seeker, demonstrating precision and versatility.
Aerial Gunnery Leads Growth in the Target Drone Sector
Aerial gunnery is driving a surge in demand for target drones, as armed forces utilize unmanned systems to conduct realistic weapons training and replicate threats. By replicating aerial adversaries, target drones enable live-fire training to be undertaken safely and at a cost advantage, while also providing enhanced precision and tactical training. Target drone technology, autonomous flight control, modular payload capabilities, and AI-assisted flight enable effective maneuvering, ultimately translating into aerial gunnery. Military modernization continues to accelerate in many military forces. At the same time, the requirement for realistic training environments and scenarios has increased, and target drones are establishing procurement trends and innovation priorities for aerial gunnery. This trend will develop target drones as essential components of preparing forces for complex, multi-domain operations in the future.
For instance, in November 2024, South Korean company ALUX Co., Ltd. surpassed USD 5 million in export contracts with the US and Japan, selling over 150,000 drones overseas. ALUX Co., Ltd. emerges as a key alternative to Chinese drone suppliers amid US-China tensions and new US regulations on Chinese drones. The company is expanding its presence in the US market with dedicated product teams and partnerships in home security and drone development.
Advancements In Target Drone Technology Fuel Market Growth
Target drones are undergoing rapid technological advancements, creating significant growth opportunities in the marketplace. These advancements increase realism, flexibility, and efficiency for defense training and weapon testing. Target drones are now utilizing autonomous navigation systems, modular payloads, and artificial intelligence-assisted threat simulation, as well as other new and enhanced technologies, enabling drones to simulate a broader range of aerial, ground, and maritime threats. These new capabilities enhance the cost-effectiveness of live-fire training exercises while also better preparing officers for complex scenarios. In this rapidly evolving global defense modernization landscape, demand and interest in adaptive, reusable, and threat-representative target drones will persist. The development of these capabilities has transformed the traditional training modality. It will continue to evolve military education and training approaches and perspectives, transforming target drones from valuable training assets to integral elements of next-generation military preparedness and strategic deterrence.
For instance, in January 2025, QinetiQ Target Systems Canada Inc. secured a five-year contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to provide Vindicator II target drone support services to the U.S. Navy. The agreement, facilitated by the Canadian Commercial Corporation and Public Services and Procurement Canada, includes deployments to San Nicolas Island and Dam Neck for advanced training operations.
North America Dominates the Global Target Drone Market Size
North America leads the target drone market due to more advanced defense infrastructure, extensive military spending, and the initial willingness to experiment with unmanned systems for training and simulation. North America enjoys industrial confluence with many government contractors and non-defense customers supporting industry partnerships and strengthening the innovative ecosystem. North America can enhance the capabilities of unmanned systems by rapidly developing threat-representative drones for live-fire exercises or weapons testing. With countries like Canada and the USA investing heavily in modernization programs, coupled with increasing demand for realistic combat training, North America will undoubtedly remain the global leader in autonomous technologies and AI-enhanced capabilities in target drone platforms.
For instance, in March 2025, Airbus Defense and Space GmbH introduced the Low-cost Air Defense (LOAD) system, a missile-armed variant of its Do-DT25 target drone, designed to counter loitering munitions and drone swarms. The system autonomously detects threats and engages them under human supervision, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional interceptors like IRIS-T and Patriot missiles.
Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Global Target Drone Market
U.S. tariffs have impacted the global target drone market by increasing production costs and complicating supply chains, especially when using key components from various tariff-affected regions, such as China. The costs of sensors, motors, and avionics parts for manufacturers and contractors have increased for components sourced from the tariff-impacted areas. U.S.-based manufacturers and contractors, as well as smaller contractors, are also facing higher costs. For price-sensitive sector segments, affordability and adoption are additional challenges. Although there are delays with production and revisions due to higher costs, the U.S. demand remains strong, particularly for aerial target drones and autonomous target drones, fueled by yearly defense modernization strategies and the requirement for a higher amount of realistic threat simulation.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
The target drone marketplace is influenced by a diverse mix of established defense contractors, nimble tech companies, and innovative startups. These market participants are developing capabilities driven by autonomous navigation, modular payloads, and the use of AI to simulate various threat scenarios. Strategic partnerships, defense modernization programs, and the role of wars (historically and presently) that have changed the way the U.S. and our allies procure and use target drones have generated additional momentum for target drone innovation and deployments. The competitive landscape supports adaptation, affordability, and multi-domain proficiency while ensuring that evolution includes new priorities surrounding aerial gunnery and countermeasure training. As the world navigates geopolitical tensions and explores new training approaches, market growth is being driven by substantial investment, the emergence of new roles for target drones, and their pivotal role in fostering ongoing tactical readiness and enhancing operational effectiveness.
For instance, in January 2025, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. awarded a contract to supply subsonic target drones for counter-missile training exercises. These drones are designed to simulate realistic aerial threats, enabling U.S. military forces to conduct live-fire testing and enhance missile defense readiness.
All segments will be provided for all regions and countries covered
Companies mentioned above DO NOT hold any order as per market share and can be changed as per information available during research work.