The European commercial drone market reached an estimated USD 5.90 billion in 2023 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.6% from 2024 to 2030. A significant driver of this expansion is the concerted effort by European governments and regulatory bodies to establish clear and standardized regulations for commercial drone operations in shared airspace. The implementation of comprehensive regulatory frameworks, such as the European Union's UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Regulation, has provided much-needed clarity and guidance for businesses aiming to leverage drones for commercial applications. These regulations have successfully addressed safety concerns and legal ambiguities, thereby fostering a favorable environment for the growth of the commercial drone sector. Further demonstrating this commitment, in November 2022, the European Commission officially adopted the European Drone Strategy 2.0 with the specific aim of further developing the drone market.

The European Drone Strategy 2.0 is designed to implement key financial, technical, and operational initiatives that will cultivate an optimal commercial and regulatory landscape. A core objective of this new strategy is to integrate drone services as a routine aspect of daily life across Europe. This strong emphasis from the European Commission is expected to significantly propel market growth throughout the forecast period. Beyond regulatory support, continuous technological advancements in commercial drones are also boosting market expansion. For instance, the ability of drones to operate on a 5G network provides low-latency connectivity, enabling them to swiftly receive and execute commands from ground control centers. This reduction in lag between command transmission, reception, and action is incredibly valuable in GPS-denied areas and offers a highly precise understanding of the drone's exact location. Additionally, advancements in drone technology such as the use of composite materials, the development of next-generation batteries, and extended flight times are further enhancing capabilities. These technological improvements are anticipated to bolster the market's growth considerably.

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Detailed Segmentation

Product Insights

The rotary blade segment dominated the market with a share of 79.3% in 2023. Rotary blade drones are highly sought-after for inspection and surveillance activities due to their maneuverability and ability to maintain visuals on targets for long periods. Advancements in rotor blade technology, battery efficiency, and flight control systems have propelled the growth of the rotary blade segment. Improved battery life and energy management systems enable longer flight times and increased operational range, enhancing the capabilities and usability of rotary blade drones for extended missions, such as aerial mapping, surveillance, and search-&-rescue operations.

Application Insights

The commercial segment accounted for the highest market share in 2023. Increasing adoption of drones for aerial imaging and data collection purposes drives the adoption of commercial drones. Commercial drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, LiDAR sensors, and other advanced imaging technologies offer a cost-effective and efficient solution for capturing detailed aerial imagery and geospatial data.

Maximum Takeoff Weight Insights

The <25kg segment held the dominant market share in 2023. The increasing adoption of drones for last-mile delivery and logistics applications drives the segment growth. With the rise of e-commerce and online shopping, there's a growing demand for efficient and timely delivery solutions. Drones in the <25kg segment are efficient in last-mile delivery, as they can navigate urban environments and deliver packages quickly and cost-effectively, especially in areas with traffic congestion or limited access. This demand for delivery drones drives product adoption and market growth.

End-use Insights

The security & law enforcement segment held the dominant market share in 2023. The increasing sophistication of threats and criminal activities, including terrorism, organized crime, and illicit trafficking, is driving the adoption of commercial drones. Law enforcement agencies and security forces are adopting commercial drones as they offer versatile and agile tools for gathering intelligence, monitoring suspicious activities, and enhancing situational awareness in urban and remote areas, thereby assisting in preemptive and responsive measures to maintain public safety and security. Delivery & logistics is projected to be the fastest-growing segment over the forecast period. The rising demand for faster and more flexible delivery services in e-commerce and online retail is driving the segment growth.

Propulsion Type Insights

The electric segment held the highest market share in 2023. Government investment plays a significant role in driving the growth and development of the electric segment within the market. Electric drones offer a cleaner and greener alternative to traditional combustion-powered drones, as they produce zero emissions during operation. It aligns with the broader objectives of European governments to transition towards renewable energy sources and reduce the environmental impact of transportation and logistics activities. In May 2023, the European Investment Bank (EIB) disclosed its commitment to invest EURO 40 million (USD 43.8 million) in quasi-equity into Wingcopter GmbH, a European firm specializing in unmanned delivery drone technology.

Range Insight

The visual line of sight (VLOS) segment held the dominant market share in 2023. The increasing demand for real-time data and actionable insights drives the adoption of VLOS operations in the market. VLOS flights allow operators to capture high-quality aerial imagery and data in real-time, enabling timely decision-making and response in various industries, such as agriculture, construction, and emergency response. By maintaining direct visual contact with the drone, operators can ensure the accuracy and reliability of data collection, facilitating more informed decision-making and enhancing operational efficiency.

Operating Mode Insights

The remotely piloted segment dominated the market in 2023. The growing demand for remote inspection and monitoring solutions in critical infrastructure industries, such as energy, utilities, and transportation, fuels the adoption of remotely piloted drones in Europe. Remotely piloted drones offer a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional inspection methods, such as manual or manned aircraft, enabling companies to identify and address potential issues or hazards quickly and cost-effectively. From inspecting power lines and pipelines to assessing the condition of bridges and railways, remotely piloted drones play a vital role in ensuring critical infrastructure assets' safety, reliability, and integrity.

Country Insights

France Commercial Drone Market Trends

The market in France held the largest share of 19.1% in 2023 and is estimated to expand at a fast-paced CAGR over the forecast period. Government support for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)/drones supports the country's market growth. For instance, in 2023, the French police were authorized to use drones equipped with cameras for crowd monitoring and other applications. Moreover, the announcement of the nation's military budget last year entailed a significant proportion of funds to deal with operational emergencies in terms of drones and anti-drone warfare.

Key Europe Commercial Drone Companies:

• ESA Space Solutions
• ModalAI
• DJI
• Griff Aviation
• Autel Robotics
• EHang
• Intel Corporation
• Parrot Drone SAS
• Potensic
• Elistair
• Airmedia360
• Flyability
• Delair.
• Field
• AIRBUS
• Dronevolt
• General Atomics

Europe Commercial Drone Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the Europe commercial drone market on the basis of product, application, end-use, propulsion type, range, operating mode, endurance, maximum takeoff weight, and country:

Europe Commercial Drone Product Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Fixed-Wing
• Rotary Blade
• Hybrid

Europe Commercial Drone Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Commercial
• Government & Law Enforcement

Europe Commercial Drone End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Agriculture
• Delivery & Logistics
• Energy
• Media & Entertainment
• Real Estate & Construction
• Security & Law Enforcement
• Others

Europe Commercial Drone Propulsion Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Gasoline
• Electric
• Hybrid

Europe Commercial Drone Range Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)
• Extended Visual Line of Sight (EVLOS)
• Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)

Europe Commercial Drone Operating Mode Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Remotely Piloted
• Partially Piloted
• Fully Autonomous

Europe Commercial Drone Endurance Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• <5 Hours
• 5 - 10 Hours
• >10 Hours

Europe Commercial Drone Maximum Takeoff Weight Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• <25 kg
• 25kg - 500 kg
• >500 kg

Europe Commercial Drone Country Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• UK
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Ireland
• Sweden
• Denmark
• Norway
• Finland

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Recent Developments

• In December 2023, Parrot Drone SAS interconnected the Parrot ANAFI Ai with the UAVIA robotics platform. This integration will aid in refining inspection/surveillance procedures and emergency interventions and provide a better real-time assessment of the scenario
• In November 2023, Elistair launched KHRONOS, a fully automated drone. It can be deployed from a mobile drone box in less than two minutes at the press of a button. The drone has the latest intelligent functions, including cued camera slewing, target tracking, and automated object categorization
• In January 2023, Delair acquired Notilo Plus, a manufacturer of underwater drones, among other products, and formed a new business unit called DELAIR MARINE. The acquisition aligns with Delair's external growth strategy, aiming to strengthen its offering in industrial inspection and defense applications
• In May 2022, Flyability launched Elios 3, a first-of-its-kind collision-tolerant drone integrated with LiDAR for 3D mapping. The drone was primarily made to serve companies' inspection needs. The drone creates 3D models in real-time during the flight, has a modular payload, and has excellent stabilization. Patrick Thévoz, Flyability's CEO, considers it a key enabler of Industry 4.0