India Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Market Overview, 2029

The Indian UAV market's dynamism stems from its varied nature. While the defense and homeland security sectors continue to be key stakeholders, driven by strategic investments and border monitoring requirements, the commercial market is experiencing exponential growth. Drones are increasingly being used in agriculture, forestry, mining, power, railways, construction, highways, and even e-commerce. The government's proactive strategy accelerates this growth. The Digital India effort, combined with the removal of legislative barriers, is paving the way for widespread drone use. Initiatives such as Drone Regulations 1.0 and 2.0 have simplified licensing requirements and set aside particular airspace for drone operations. This encourages innovation and draws domestic and foreign players, resulting in a thriving ecosystem. UAVs play an important part in disaster management and search and rescue operations in India. Drones are used in natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and cyclones to assess the level of damage, find trapped people, and give essential information to aid response efforts. UAVs are widely utilized for surveying and mapping in India. Drones improve the efficiency of surveying large regions for urban planning, land development, and infrastructure projects. High-resolution images and 3D mapping capabilities help to generate accurate and detailed survey data. The Indian government recognizes the potential of UAV technology and has taken steps to control its use. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has implemented regulations to oversee the use of UAVs, ensuring safety and responsible use. Government initiatives aim to foster the growth of the UAV industry while addressing concerns related to security and privacy.

According to the research report "India Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Market Overview, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the India Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) market is predicted to grow with more than 15% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. In June 2021, India's Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) issued a new set of drone laws and regulations for anyone operating an unmanned aerial vehicle in India. According to the new regulations, operating a UAV will necessitate applying for and acquiring a unique identification number, unless an exemption is granted. To get this identification number, UAV operators must submit information to the Digital Sky platform, which is a MoCA-led initiative to govern UAV operations and traffic in India. Some Indian state governments have also developed special UAV policies to encourage investment in this area. In India, law enforcement authorities use UAVs to protect the public and conduct surveillance. Drones with cameras help to monitor public events, manage crowds, and improve situational awareness during police enforcement operations. India's aerospace sector works with UAV makers and technology developers to improve capabilities and test novel applications. Such collaborations help to expand and advance the UAV ecosystem. India has testing grounds and facilities where UAV manufacturers and developers can perform trials and tests. These testing grounds are critical in determining the performance, safety, and dependability of UAV systems.

Based on class segment market is categorised into small UAVs, tactical UAVs, strategic UAVs, combat UAV. Combat UAVs are gaining significant traction in India UAV market. Combat UAVs considerably increase a country's defensive capability. These unmanned systems can be used for a variety of military missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and direct engagement in combat circumstances. Combat UAVs play an important role in counterterrorism operations. Their capacity to work in diverse and frequently hostile areas makes them useful for tracking and targeting terrorist groups, interrupting their activities, and bolstering overall counterterrorism operations. Combat UAVs have short response times and excellent agility, allowing them to deploy to many places as needed. This agility is critical in dynamic operational circumstances when the capacity to gather intelligence or engage targets quickly is required. Based on type segment market is segmented into fixed wing, rotary wing and hybrid. Hybrid type segment is projected to grow at rapid pace in India UAV market. Hybrid UAVs combine electric propulsion with conventional combustion engines. In comparison to fully electric UAVs, this hybridization provides for greater flight endurance and range. In India, where long-range capabilities are required for a variety of applications such as agriculture, surveillance, and infrastructure inspection, hybrid UAVs are becoming increasingly popular. Hybrid UAVs provide versatility in terms of applications. They can be used for a variety of applications, including agriculture, environmental monitoring, surveying, and surveillance. As of their adaptability, they are ideal for meeting the unique needs of India's various industries.

The application segment of the market includes military, commercial, government & law and consumer. Military application of UAV is major in India UAV market. Military UAVs are integral to national security and defense strategies. They provide the Indian armed forces with enhanced surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence capabilities, contributing to the overall situational awareness and preparedness for potential threats. India shares land and maritime borders with multiple countries, making border surveillance a critical aspect of national security. Military UAVs are deployed for continuous monitoring of borders, detecting and preventing illegal activities, and safeguarding against potential intrusions. Based on range segment market includes visual line of sight (VLOS), extended visual line of sight (EVLOS), and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). Visual line of sight (EVLOS) is key range if drone in India UAV market. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India, like many aviation authorities across the world, has regulations governing the operation of drones. These laws frequently require drones to operate within the remote pilot's visual line of sight. Adherence to these restrictions is critical for legally and safely operating drones in India. VLOS and EVLOS criteria aid in collision prevention. When operators can view the drone directly, they may better assess its surroundings and take preventative measures to avoid any threats. This is critical for avoiding mishaps and maintaining the safety of both the UAV and the persons and property in its path. Based on mode of operation segment market is segmented into remotely piloted, optionally piloted and fully autonomous. Among them fully autonomous mode of operation segment is expected to grow at fastest rate in India UAV market.

Considered in this report:
• Geography: India
• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029



Aspects covered in this report:
• India Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Class:
• Small UAVs
• Tactical UAVs
• Strategic UAVs
• Combat UAV

By Type :
• Fixed Wing
• Rotary Wing
• Hybrid

By Application:
• Military
• Commercial
• Government & Law
• Consumer

By Range:
• Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS)
• Extended Visual Line Of Sight (EVLOS)
• Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS)

By Mode of Operation:
• Remotely Piloted
• Optionally Piloted
• Fully Autonomous

By Maximum Take-Off Weight:
• <25 KG
• 25-170 KG
• >170 KG

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, and annual reports of companies, analyzing the government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers into regional aspects, tier aspects, age groups, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience:
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.