According to the report published by specialist defence publication IHS Jane’s Intelligence Review the military drone market is expected to double by 2024 and reach beyond $10 billion (8.9 billion euros).The analysis also emphasized the fact that the global defence and security market for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is also expected to expand at the rate of 5.5 percent per year over the decade.
Derrick Maple the principal analyst on unmanned systems of London-based group proposed that the unmanned systems are well established and combat proven systems. They are also an essential and expanding element of future operations across the globe.
The report pointed out that Israel was the top exporter of UAVs in last year but it was overtaken by the United States through it sales of General Atomics Predator series and Northrop Grumman Global Hawk. The Western Europe has forecasted it sales to reach $1.3 billion by 2024 and seeks to reduce its imports on reliance on US and Israeli imports. But it faces high competition from China, Russia, India, South Korea and Japan — whose combined sales are predicted to reach $3.4 billion by 2024.The market for military is being driven by the demand for new technology and different ways of using UAVs.
Huw Williams editor of unmanned systems for IHS Jane’s said that the operators are moving to expand their mission sets beyond its visual surveillance and reconnaissance. They are also planning to introduce sophisticated intelligence and electronic warfare systems and a wider range of munitions. He also added that as the technology improves the Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAVs) comes in to service. It will add to the feature ‘stealthy’ characteristics and advanced payloads and weaponry. They will also operate along with manned aircraft and even replace them in many roles.
