Japan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034

Japan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Market Size

The Japan unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.9% between 2024 and 2032. The market is being driven by growing geopolitical tensions and the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters.

Japan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Market Outlook

• The use of UAVs in the military and defence sector is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period.

• Collaboration with the USA is expected to bolster the technological capabilities of Japanese UAVs, thereby driving the market growth.

• Small and medium UAVs are expected to constitute a major portion of the market share.

Japan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Market Growth

Growing geopolitical tensions are prompting Japan’s Self-Defence Forces to modernise their existing fleet of helicopters with UAVs. In Japan’s Defence Buildup Program, the SDF plans to procure long-range UAVs and marine vessels, which can conduct ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) operations and target enemy aircraft and drones seamlessly.

The development of innovative drone navigation technologies which detect real time movement of objects and create a site map easily is expected to become increasingly important for the mining and construction sector. This is one of the key market trends, where technology can be used to improve workers’ safety and enhance the efficiency of operations.

Japan’s vulnerability to numerous natural disasters is expected to accelerate the demand for drones equipped with advanced cameras and thermal sensors, which can detect people in trapped areas and inspect infrastructure for damage. This is expected to drive the demand for UAVs in search and rescue missions in the coming years. Besides, the increasing collaboration between private sector companies and the Japanese government in leveraging AI for drones is expected to drive the market development in the forecast period.

Japan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Industry Segmentation

Japan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032 offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Class

• Small and Medium UAV

• Large UAV

Market Breakup by Systems

• Platform

• Payload

• Datalink

• Ground Control Station

• UAV Launch and Recovery System

Market Breakup by Function

• Inspection and Monitoring

• Remote Sensing

• Product Delivery

• Search and Rescue

• Surveying and Mapping

• Border Management

• Photography and Film Production

• Others

Market Breakup by End Use

• Military and Defence

• Civil and Commercial

• Energy and Power

• Logistics and Transportation

• Construction and Mining

• Others

Japan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Market Share

The military and defence sector, based on end use, is expected to account for a major market share in the forecast period. UAVs play a crucial role in enhancing the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of militaries while facilitating various functions such as electronic warfare, surgical strikes, border surveillance, and counterinsurgency, among others. Meanwhile, the logistics and transportation sector uses UAVs for last-mile delivery and inventory packaging.

Leading Companies in the Japan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Market

The report provides a detailed analysis of the following key players in the market, covering their competitive landscape and latest developments like mergers and acquisitions, investments, and capacity expansion.

• Northrop Grumman Corp.

• BAE Systems Plc

• Lockheed Martin Corp.

• ACSL Ltd.

• Boeing Co.

• SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd.

• Airbus SE

• Thales S.A.

• Safran S.A.

• Terra Drone Corp.

• Others

The market participants are integrating cutting-edge technologies and high-frequency communication systems to enhance the reliability, efficiency, and communication of UAV operations. They are also developing UAVs that can perform complex tasks like inspection of pipelines and detection of leaks, among others, autonomously.

Key Highlights of the Report