Drone Detection Market

Market Definition

The market encompasses a specialized segment of the security and surveillance industry dedicated to the identification, tracking, and mitigation of unauthorized or potentially hazardous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

This market includes a comprehensive range of technologies such as radar systems, radio frequency (RF) analyzers, acoustic sensors, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) imaging systems, and advanced software platforms for data integration and threat assessment. The report identifies the principal factors contributing to market expansion, along with an analysis of the competitive landscape influencing its growth trajectory.

Drone Detection Market Overview

The global drone detection market size was valued at USD 687.8 million in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 861.3 million in 2024 to USD 4526.1 million by 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 26.75% during the forecast period. The market is driven primarily by increasing concerns over airspace security, critical infrastructure protection, and the unauthorized use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Major companies operating in the drone detection industry are Northrop Grumman, Elbit Systems Ltd, Thales, RTX, Saab AB, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Rheinmetall, L3Harris Technologies, Inc., Teledyne FLIR LLC, QinetiQ, ASELSAN A.Ş., Leonardo DRS, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., and ANRA TECHNOLOGIES.

One of the significant growth factors is the rising deployment of drones across commercial, industrial, and recreational sectors, which has heightened the demand for advanced detection and countermeasure systems. 

Additionally, the defense and law enforcement sectors are investing heavily in drone detection technologies to safeguard sensitive facilities, border regions, and public events, further supporting market expansion.

• In April 2025, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted drone-detection testing in Cape May, New Jersey. The FAA's Center of Excellence for UAS Research (ASSURE) led the tests, with participation from the Delaware River Bay Authority Police and local first responders. Testing involved operating large drones and over 100 commercial drones near the Cape May Ferry Terminal. These tests aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of drone detection technologies and assess potential interference with FAA or aircraft navigation systems.

Key Highlights

1. The drone detection market size was valued at USD 687.8 million in 2023.
2. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 26.75% from 2024 to 2031.
3. North America held a market share of 33.24% in 2023, with a valuation of USD 228.6 million.
4. The radar segment garnered USD 187.8 million in revenue in 2023.
5. The handheld segment is expected to reach USD 2605.7 million by 2031.
6. The above 5km segment is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR of 27.04% during the forecast period.
7. The military & defense segment garnered USD 245.2 million in revenue in 2023.
8. The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 27.92% during the forecast period.

Market Driver

Proliferation of Commercial Drones

The widespread adoption of commercial drones across industries such as agriculture, logistics, construction, and media is fueling the expansion of the market. Drones are increasingly used for tasks like aerial surveillance, crop monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and real-time data collection, leading to a surge in UAV activity within regulated and sensitive airspaces. 

As the risk of unauthorized or accidental drone intrusions grows, the demand for reliable detection systems is rising, boosting market growth and supporting the development of advanced airspace security technologies.

Market Challenge

Limited Detection Accuracy in Complex Environments

A major challenge in the drone detection market is the limited detection accuracy in complex environments, which can lead to unreliable identification and tracking of drones. Urban areas and industrial zones, with their dense infrastructure, physical obstructions, and high electromagnetic interference, create significant obstacles for detection systems. 

These environments can cause false positives or missed detections, reducing the reliability of detection technologies, particularly for low-flying or small drones. This issue is exacerbated by the rapid evolution of drone technology, which includes smaller, quieter, and more agile UAVs that are harder to detect. As a result, the need for more advanced and adaptable detection systems becomes critical.

To address the challenge, manufacturers are integrating multiple detection technologies like radar, RF scanners, and infrared sensors for enhanced reliability. Advanced signal processing, AI, and machine learning improve tracking accuracy by filtering interference. 

Sensor fusion combines data from various sensors to enhance situational awareness, while low-level detection systems and collaboration with local authorities streamline operations in urban areas.

Market Trend

Expansion of Counter-Drone Solutions

The market is witnessing a growing trend toward the expansion of counter-drone solutions, integrating detection, tracking, and neutralization technologies to enhance security in sensitive areas. These solutions incorporate advanced systems such as jammers, GPS spoofing, and directed-energy weapons to effectively neutralize drone threats in real-time. 

This shift improves airspace safety, mitigates risks associated with unauthorized drone activity, and supports the protection of critical infrastructure, airports, and military zones, addressing the increasing challenges posed by drone proliferation.

• In January 2025, L3Harris Technologies successfully showcased a new drone detection and neutralization capability for its T7 robot system in the Vanguard 24 experiment at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, U.S. This demonstration was part of the U.S. Army's annual capstone event and featured the integration of a counter-small uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) onto the T7, showcasing its ability to remotely detect and neutralize drones.

Drone Detection Market Report Snapshot

Segmentation	Details
By Technology	Radar, RF Scanner, Jammer, Infrared, Others
By Type	Ground Based, Handheld
By Range	Below 5 km, Above 5 km
By End Use	Military & Defense, Commercial, Government
By Region	North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico
	Europe: France, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe
	Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific
	Middle East & Africa: Turkey, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa
	South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America

Market Segmentation

• By Technology (Radar, RF Scanner, Jammer, Infrared, Others): The radar segment earned USD 187.8 million in 2023 due to its high accuracy and effectiveness in detecting and tracking drones over long distances.
• By Type (Ground Based, Handheld): The handheld segment held 57.83% of the market in 2023, due to its portability, ease of use, and growing demand for flexible, on-the-go drone detection solutions across defense and law enforcement applications.
• By Range (Below 5 km, Above 5 km): The below 5km segment is projected to reach USD 2779.9 million by 2031, owing to its suitability for urban environments and critical infrastructure protection where short-range detection is essential for rapid threat response.
• By End Use (Military & Defense, Commercial, Government): The military & defense segment earned USD 245.2 million in 2023 due to increasing investments in counter-drone technologies to address rising threats from hostile and surveillance drones in conflict zones and sensitive areas.

Drone Detection Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.

North America drone detection market share stood around 33.24% in 2023, with a valuation of USD 228.6 million. North America’s dominance in the market is attributed to the region’s strong focus on security, regulatory measures, and technological advancements. 

The United States, in particular, has been at the forefront of implementing stringent airspace regulations, thereby driving the demand for robust drone detection systems across sectors such as defense, aviation, and critical infrastructure. 

Moreover, ongoing investments in research and development, along with the increasing adoption of counter-drone technologies, further strengthen the region's market position. Growing emphasis on regional safety and evolving regulatory demands is driving adoption of advanced security and surveillance technologies across government and commercial sectors.

• In April 2025, Motorola Solutions, Inc announced strategic investments in BRINC Drones Inc. and SkySafe to enhance its CommandCentral 911 software with integrated Drone as First Responder (DFR) and drone detection capabilities. This collaboration expands market reach and enables public safety agencies to more effectively deploy U.S.-made drone technologies for real-time emergency response.

The drone detection industry in Asia-Pacific is poised for significant growth at a robust CAGR of 27.92% over the forecast period. The rapid growth of the market in the Asia-Pacific region can be attributed to the increasing adoption of drones in sectors such as agriculture, logistics, and surveillance, coupled with rising concerns over airspace security. 

The region’s expanding industrial base, coupled with significant investments in defense and homeland security, is driving the need for advanced drone detection systems. 

With the evolving regulatory environment in the region addressing the growing risks associated with drone activity, the market is set to experience substantial growth. This growth is further driven by technological advancements and a heightened focus on securing critical infrastructure.

Regulatory Frameworks

• In the European Union, the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 governs the operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). It standardizes drone usage across member states, ensures airspace safety, and supports operational oversight, including aspects relevant to drone detection and surveillance integration.
• In the United Kingdom, the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021 governs unmanned aircraft operations. It provides a legal framework to enhance airspace safety, enforce UAS operational rules, and support the integration of counter-drone technologies through regulatory powers and enforcement mechanisms.
• In Australia, Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) 1998 governs the use of unmanned aircraft and rockets. It outlines requirements for drone safety, airspace usage, operator certification, and integration of counter-drone measures, ensuring regulatory compliance and the safe use of airspace.

Competitive Landscape

Companies in the drone detection market are enhancing their product portfolios by investing in advanced detection technologies, integrating artificial intelligence, and expanding multi-sensor systems to improve accuracy and efficiency. They are also forming strategic partnerships with defense agencies, law enforcement, and commercial sectors to strengthen their market position.

Additionally, market players are focusing on developing cost-effective and scalable solutions to meet the growing demand for comprehensive drone detection systems, while complying with evolving regulatory frameworks. 

They are also investing in research and development to create innovative counter-drone solutions that address emerging security challenges across military, commercial, and government applications.

• In June 2024, Dedrone Holdings, Inc. launched DedroneOnTheMove (DedroneOTM), a new mobile counter-drone solution designed for expeditionary forces in high-risk environments. Featuring 360° detection via DedroneTracker AI with 95% accuracy and direction finding within 2.5 degrees, DedroneOTM integrates over 200 drone protocols, passive RF sensors, and kinetic defeat readiness for modern battlefield defense.

List of Key Companies in Drone Detection Market:

• Northrop Grumman
• Elbit Systems Ltd
• Thales
• RTX
• Saab AB
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Rheinmetall
• L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
• Teledyne FLIR LLC
• QinetiQ
• ASELSAN A.Ş.
• Leonardo DRS
• Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
• Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
• ANRA TECHNOLOGIES

Recent Developments (M&A/Partnerships/Agreements/New Product Launch)

• In March 2025, AeroDefense launched AirWarden Essentials, a pioneering solution that leverages networked Remote ID broadcasts to monitor drone activity across local and wide areas. The system provides real-time alerts and historical analytics, enabling organizations to proactively detect, analyze, and respond to drone incursions.
• In February 2025, Helmut-Schmidt-University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg (HSU/UniBw H) initiated a research partnership with ipoque GmbH, a Rohde & Schwarz company, to enhance drone detection through 5G network analysis. The project focuses on identifying anomalies in 5G data streams to strengthen the security of critical infrastructure from unauthorized drone threats.
• In December 2024, MyDefence A/S launched “Spectrum Warrior,” an AI-powered upgrade to its widely used Wingman drone detection units, marking a major advancement in counter-drone technology. Developed using frontline data from over 2,000 units deployed in high-threat areas like Ukraine, the solution enhances precision and efficiency in electronic warfare operations.
• In October 2024, Rohde & Schwarz launched ARDRONIS Detect, a low-cost counter-drone system capable of detecting and identifying various drone signals. As the core of the ARDRONIS CUAS platform, it offers flexible deployment and seamless integration for defense and critical infrastructure protection.
• In October 2024, Proximus announced a strategic partnership with Senhive BV SkeyDrone NV to launch an advanced drone detection solution aimed at protecting critical infrastructure from unauthorized drone activity. The collaboration combines Proximus’ telecom infrastructure, Senhive’s detection sensors, and SkeyDrone’s software to deliver real-time airspace monitoring and threat alerts.
• In February 2023, D-Fend Solutions AD Ltd and Securiton GmbH entered a strategic partnership to enhance counter-drone capabilities across Germany. As part of the agreement, D-Fend will supply its EnforceAir RF cyber-based system while Securiton handles integration, sales, and support through its comprehensive Dome Security platform.