Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drone Market expected to reach USD 120.410 billion by 2030
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drone Market Trends & Forecast
According to a research study published by Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence (KSI), the artificial intelligence in drone market will expand from USD 31.923 billion in 2025 to USD 120.410 billion in 2030 at a CAGR of 30.49% during the forecast period.
The drone market is revolutionizing the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications in industries through AI. The AI drone solutions are used to drive intelligent drones and autonomous UAVs, which allow them to navigate, avoid obstacles, and plan missions. Drones as robots with intelligence increase accuracy in industries such as farming, logistics, and surveillance. The AI of the drone software is used to process real-time data into actionable insights to optimize operations like mapping and monitoring and is referred to as drone data analytics. With the increasing need of efficiency and automation, this market has been central to providing scalable and intelligent solutions that will reimagine operational capacities, safety, and data-driven decision-making across various industrial ecosystems. The AI in drones offers its application across multiple industries, like defense, agriculture, surveillance, surveys, and logistics, among others. In the agriculture sector, AI-based drones can map and monitor livestock and crop production.
Request a free sample copy or view the report summary: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drone Market Report
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drone Market Report Highlights
- The AI in drone market is broadly segmented into software, AI pilot, and others, with the software segment expected to capture the largest market share. The drone market is revolutionizing the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications in industries through AI. The AI drone solutions are used to drive intelligent drones and autonomous UAVs, which allow them to navigate, avoid obstacles, and plan missions. Drones as robots with intelligence increase accuracy in industries such as farming, logistics, and surveillance. The AI of the drone software is used to process real-time data into actionable insights to optimize operations like mapping and monitoring and is referred to as drone data analytics. With the increasing need of efficiency and automation, this market has been central to providing scalable and intelligent solutions that will reimagine operational capacities, safety, and data-driven decision-making across various industrial ecosystems.
- Based on offering, the AI in drone market is divided into hardware and software, with hardware expected to attain a larger market share. The drone market is revolutionizing the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications in industries through AI. The AI drone solutions are used to drive intelligent drones and autonomous UAVs, which allow them to navigate, avoid obstacles, and plan missions. Drones as robots with intelligence increase accuracy in industries such as farming, logistics, and surveillance. The AI of the drone software is used to process real-time data into actionable insights to optimize operations like mapping and monitoring and is referred to as drone data analytics. With the increasing need of efficiency and automation, this market has been central to providing scalable and intelligent solutions that will reimagine operational capacities, safety, and data-driven decision-making across various industrial ecosystems. As drones become more capable and autonomous, manufacturers are embedding more intelligence at the hardware level, increasing the cost and value contribution of hardware within each AI-enabled drone.
Report Coverage:
| Report Metric | Details |
| AI in Drone Market Size in 2025 | US$31.923 billion |
| AI in Drone Market Size in 2030 | US$120.410 billion |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 30.49% |
| Drivers |
|
| Restraints |
|
| Segmentation |
|
| List of Major Companies in AI in Drone Market |
|
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drone Market Growth Drivers and Restraints
Growth Drivers:
- Growing Global Defense Expenditure: AI drones offer a key application in the global market. In the defense sector, drones help enhance the efficiency of surveillance systems and improve military capabilities. With the rising global military and defense expenditure in the global market, the demand for AI in the drone market is expected to significantly increase. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, in its global report, stated that in 2023, the global military expenditure witnessed a growth of about 6.8% compared to 2022. The agency stated that in 2023, the total military expenditure of the USA and China was recorded at US$916 and US$296 billion, respectively. Similarly, the military expenditure of Russia and India was recorded at US$109 and US$83.6 billion, respectively.
- Increasing Demand for the AI-Powered Software: With the advancement of drones, their intelligence is being added at lower levels, and the cost and value addition of hardware is being added to every AI-enabled drone. Such software connected to AI is expected to be more significant due to efficiency in the processing of the enormous amounts of data collected by drones in the form of pictures, videos, and sensor readings, to reduce the consumption of time and effort to do this processing. It can also define possible patterns, unusual behaviors, and trends in drone data for improved and more informed decisions. The enhancement in this segment is mainly attributable to the high adoption of AI in the drone industry.
Restraints:
- Drone Hacking Risks & AI Countermeasures: Hackers can exploit weak drone communication systems to take control, disable GPS, or redirect drones for illegal activities, but AI-based cybersecurity systems mitigate this by detecting abnormal network patterns, authentication failures, or unusual flight commands in real time. AI can lock drones instantly, initiate emergency landing, or isolate compromised systems when hacking attempts are detected. Advanced AI models also predict emerging cyber threats by analyzing global drone attack patterns, helping manufacturers and defense agencies update security protocols faster than traditional security software.
- Anti-Drone AI Systems: Anti-drone AI systems use computer vision, radar analysis, and signal intelligence to detect unauthorized drones and neutralize threats through signal disruption, GNSS spoofing, or forced landing commands. These systems protect airports, military bases, and critical infrastructure by categorizing threats based on motion, size, and intent instead of merely detecting objects. AI also prevents accidental interference with friendly drones by distinguishing drone signatures and flight patterns, making modern airspace defense much more accurate and less disruptive.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drone Market Key Development
- Company Acquistion: In October 2025, Lockheed Integrates Tomahawk Missiles on Sea Drones. Lockheed Martin announced a $50 million investment in Saildrone to equip large surveillance sea drones with AI-guided Tomahawk missiles, advancing maritime defense and autonomous naval operations.
- Product Innovation: In October 2025, Shield AI Unveils Wingman Drone for Fighter Jets. Silicon Valley-based Shield AI launched its AI-powered wingman drone for fighter jet integration, with initial tests planned for 2026 and production readiness by 2028.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drone Market Segmentation
Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence has segmented the Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drone Market based on technology type, offerings, end-user and region:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drone Market, by Technology Type
- Software
- AI-pilot
- Others
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drone Market, by Offerings
- Hardware
- Software
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drone Market, by End-User
- Defence
- Logistics and Delivery
- Agriculture and Precision Farming
- Disaster Management and Search & Rescue
- Environmental Monitoring
- Others
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drone Market, By Region
- North America
- USA
- Canada
- Mexico
- Europe
- UK
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Others
- Asia Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- Others
- South America
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Others
- Middle East and Africa (MEA)
- Saudi Arabia
- UAE
- Others
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drone Market Key Players
- Folio3 Software Inc.
- Saiwa
- Shield AI
- Skydio
- Lockheed Martin
- Airobotics
- Nearthlab
- Percepto
- Ayaan Autonomous Systems Pvt. Ltd.
- AI Aerial Dynamics
- Asteria Aerospace
- Skylark Drones
- Blue Bear Systems Research Ltd (Saab UK Ltd.)
