Global Target Drones Market Assessment, By Application [Aerial Gunnery, Electronic Warfare Training, Surface-to-Air Defense Exercises], By Platform [Air-lifted Drones, Ground Launch/Recover, Surface-launched], By Recovery Method [Parachute Recovery, Autonomous Return, Expendable], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2018-2032F

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.

Report Attribute	Details
Base Year	2024
Forecast Period	2025-2032F
Historical Period	2018-2023
Projected Growth Rate	CAGR of 7.52% between 2024 and 2032
Revenue Forecast in 2032	USD 10.75 billion

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.Ş. successfully adapted its Kemankes 1 miniature cruise missile for aerial target interception. During testing, the rocket was launched from the Bayraktar Akıncı 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.

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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.

Report Scope

“Global Target Drone Market Assessment, Opportunities and Forecast, 2018-2032F”, is a comprehensive report by Markets and Data, providing in-depth analysis and qualitative and quantitative assessment of the current state of global target drone market, industry dynamics, and challenges. The report includes market size, segmental shares, growth trends, opportunities, and forecasts between 2025 and 2032. Additionally, the report profiles the leading players in the industry, mentioning their respective market share, business models, competitive intelligence, etc.

Report Attribute	Details
Segments Covered	Application, Platform, Recovery Method
Regions Covered	North America, Europe, South America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa
Key Companies Profiled	Meggitt PLC, BAE Systems Plc, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., Northrop Grumman Corporation, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., Textron Inc., Elbit Systems Ltd., L3Harris Technologies, Inc., Saab AB, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
Customization Scope	15% free report customization with purchase
Pricing and Purchase Options	Avail the customized purchase options to fulfill your precise research needs
Delivery Format	PDF and Excel through email (subject to the license purchased)

In the report, the global target drone market has been segmented into the following categories: 

• By Application
  • Aerial Gunnery
  • Electronic Warfare Training
  • Surface-to-Air Defense Exercises
• By Platform
  • Air-lifted Drones
  • Ground Launch/Recover
  • Surface-Launched
• By Recovery Method
  • Parachute Recovery
  • Autonomous Return
  • Expendable
• By Region
  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia-Pacific
  • South America
  • Middle East and Africa

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.

Key Players Operating in Global Target Drone Market are:

• Meggitt PLC
• BAE Systems Plc
• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
• Textron Inc.
• Elbit Systems Ltd.
• L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
• Saab AB
• Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.

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