Low-Cost Systems are Expected to Revolutionize Anti-Drone Market

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Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threats have become a challenge to law enforcement, military and commercial organizations alike. As a majority of the UAVs cannot be detected by traditional air defense systems due to their size, construction material, and flight altitude, anti-UAV systems have become a vital instrument in managing or neutralizing UAV-based threats. 

The global anti-drone market was valued at US$ 1,198.12 million in the year 2021 and is projected to reach US$ 4,764.66 million by the year 2028, registering a CAGR of 21.8% during the forecast period, according to ReAnIn market research company. 

Currently, the military and defense segment holds a majority of the market share, while the commercial segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Increasing use of the UAVs for a variety of purposes including delivery, surveillance, etc., higher spending on anti-UAV systems from military organizations, and increasing research and development activities have been driving the global anti-drone market. However, high equipment costs and a lack of specific guidelines for drones may restrain the growth of this market.

Since the majority of the drones employed across industries are small drones, armed forces are specifically looking for systems to counter smaller drones. 

In April 2021, the US air force released a request for proposals for contracts worth up to US$ 490 million for technologies to counter the threat of small, commercially made drones. Furthermore, the Department of Defense (DOD) is collaborating with research institutes to develop state-of-the-art technology and a highly-trained workforce for counter-UAV capabilities.

In the Middle East region, Israel is expected to gain maximum from this ever-increasing demand for the drone as well as anti-drone systems. Due to its experience in anti-drone development, the country has developed various high-end systems, according to the report, cited by prnewswire.com. For example, Israel became the first country to have been able to use laser technology on an aircraft to intercept drones in an operational simulation and destroy them, the report says. 

The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia is expected to further propel the growth of counter-drone systems as drones are increasingly being used in any war or conflict. 

Technologies included in the research are Laser-based, Kinetic-based, and Electronic-based platforms, varying from Ground-based to Handheld and UAV-based. Electronic-based anti-drone systems are expected to hold the majority of the market share in 2021 in the global anti-drone market owing to huge investment from leading players to launch an electronic counter-drone system. 

North America accounted for the highest market share in 2021 owing to higher spending on defense and increasing security threats from various terrorist organizations. For instance, in FY2022, the Department of Defense (DOD) plans to spend at least US$ 636 million on counter- unmanned aircraft systems research and development and at least US$ 75 million on C-UAS procurement.

Demand for technologically advanced systems such as AI-based Counter-Drone systems is expected to increase significantly in the near future, according to the report.