Search and Rescue Drone Market

Search and Rescue Drone Market Outlook (2024 to 2034)

The global search and rescue drone market size is calculated at a value of US$ 3.76 billion in 2024. Worldwide revenue from the sales of search and rescue drones is calculated to rise at a CAGR of 13.6% and reach US$ 13.49 billion by 2034.

• Short Term (2024 to 2027): Potential to carry heavy payloads during the time of emergencies will increase adoption of search and rescue drones.
• Medium Term (2027 to 2030): Increasing construction and industrial activities in East Asia expected to dive sales of search and rescue drones.
• Long Term (2030 to 2034): Integration of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will lead to the development of new and unique drone models.

Search and rescue (SAR) is part of public safety and includes activities related to searching for missing persons. In most of the countries across the globe this responsibility of rescuing a person is played by fire brigade. There are also private SAR teams in the United States and also other countries. For example, Texas EquuSearch is a non-profit organization dedicated to search and rescue.

• In 2019, in Snowy Canyon State Park, Utah, a mountain search and rescue operation was carried out at night using drones to rescue a hiker. This rescue team used specialized SAR unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) as a light source to locate the victim.

Drones offer unique capabilities used by emergency responders around the world. They are saving many lives by participating in various general emergency and security operations. COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the usage of drones for public safety. Many countries employed drones to enforce social distancing and monitor cities during COVID-19 pandemic.

• North America is projected to hold 32.6% of the global search and rescue drone market share by 2034.
• The East Asian search and rescue drone market size is evaluated at US$ 934.7 million in 2024.

Report Attribute	Detail
Search and Rescue Drone Market Size (2024E)	US$ 3.76 Billion
Forecasted Market Value (2034F)	US$ 13.49 Billion
Global Market Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	13.6% CAGR
South Korea Market Value (2034F)	US$ 894.1 Million
Rotary Wing Drone Demand Growth (2024 to 2034)	13.7% CAGR
Key Companies Profiled	Aerialtronics; Draganfly; Drone USA Inc.; C-Astral d.o.o.; DJI; DSLRPros; Skyfront; HPDRONES; Mavtech; UAV Solutions, Inc.

Why are Drones Exhibiting High Adoption across the World?

“Emergency Drones Cost-Effective and Efficient UAVs for Operate Rescue Operations”

Deployment of drone is increasing for various purposes and their use in search and rescue operations is proving to be one of the most potentially life-saving applications. Equipped with sensors and powerful cameras, it can cover a large area in a short time. It can also be used at night or in low visibility. Search and rescue drones can also be equipped with special equipment such as infrared cameras and speakers. This allows user to locate missing persons and save lives.

Helicopters and manned aircraft cost hundreds of dollars an hour to operate during rescue operations. Drones, only require an initial investment and have a low maintenance cost. The drone takes off from a safe location and scans from a high altitude. This leads to the safety of the team and aids in effective decision making for rescue operation.

Combined with GPS tracking, drones can even direct rescuers to specific locations. When disasters and incidents threaten lives and livelihoods, responders need information and real-time images to make better decisions and save time. The integration of advanced sensors such as hyperspectral sensors and AI are some of the latest search and rescue drone market trends set to improve the object tracking capabilities.

What Do Search and Rescue Drone Manufacturers Need to Improve in their Products?

“Difficulty in Tracking Drones During Emergency Operations Creating Major Challenges”

One of the biggest challenges in using drones for search and rescue operations is the flyer. As there is no clear line of sight of the drone to the person operating it, a normal drone can easily get lost. This is especially a problem in large open areas such as mountains and forests.

Another challenge is battery life. Drones can only stay in the air for a limited amount of time, so they have to land to recharge. This can make it difficult to cover large areas or maintain consistent search patterns. Such limitations are expected to hamper the search and rescue drone market growth in the coming 10 years.

Start-Up Ecosystem

• Smith Autonomous is a United Kingdom-based start-up that offers firefighting drones. The company’s DAS 500 drone is used in aggressive fire suppression on the frontlines. The drone is also equipped with thermal cameras and sensors to operate effectively in darkness and smoky environment.
• Aurea Avionics is a Spanish start-up that offers drone-based surveillance solutions for the military and defense sector. Fitted with electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, the Aurea Avionics’s drone ‘Seeker UAS’ captures real-time images effectively in rugged and difficult geographical areas.

Country-wise Analysis

What is the Demand Outlook for UAV Inspection Drones in the United States?

“Fire Department Focusing on Adoption of Advanced SAR Technologies”

Attribute	United States
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 941.6 Million
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	13.5% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 3.35 Billion

Emergency service providers are the ones who work in emergency rescue, and medical services. There are several service providers who provide medical assistance or services at the site of an accident. These service providers become highly active during war situations, natural disaster management situations, etc.

Service provider companies need to keep a stock of all the required equipment including search and rescue drones to be prepared for any emergency situation. Emergency medical service and fire rescue service elements should work in coordination to provide the best drone rescue services to the victims/patients.

Many such organizations and also private companies exist in the United States. The fire departments operating in the United States are advancing their response technology with adoption of drones.

• According to the United States Fire Administration, there are 27,129 fire departments listed with the National Fire Department Registry.

Will There Be High Demand for Search and Rescue Drones in Japan?

“Growing Need for Advanced Disaster Management Technologies Driving Adoption of Smart SAR Drones”

Attribute	Japan
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 244 Million
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	13.4% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 855.1 Million

Disaster management in Japan is an important topic of discussion due to frequent natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, droughts, etc. The loss of life and property caused by these disasters is constantly increasing in Japan. Climate change, geriatric population growth, and continued ecological degradation are some of the factors increasing the need for rescue drone services in Japan. Search and rescue departments are using both hybrid as well as smart drone services in the country.

Category-wise Analysis

Which Type of Drone Will Exhibit High Demand Due to Growing Risk of Natural Disasters?

“Commercial Drones Set to Exhibit High Usage Over Next Decade”

Attribute	Commercial Drones
Segment Value (2024E)	US$ 1.98 Billion
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	13.6% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 7.12 Billion

Technological advancements and cost-effectiveness are increasing the employment of unmanned aerial vehicles, popularly known as drones in emergency situations. Today, they are often utilized for environmental monitoring, farming, commercial product delivery, public safety, leisure, and other purposes. The commercial drones are expected to hold major market share by 2034.

Recently, drone applications for improving health have been investigated and approved more extensively. Given the requirement for a quick reaction to improve patient outcomes, the use of drone technology in emergency medicine seems particularly intriguing. Regulation, flying conditions, safety, confidentiality, worries about consent, and specifics of the necessity of usage, creation, and maintenance of a medical drone network to extend their use in emergency care and emergency medical system (EMS).

Why are Fixed Wing Drones Preferred for SAR Operations?

“Effective Monitoring and Superior Durability of Fixed Wing Drones”

Attribute	Fixed Wing Drones
Segment Value (2024E)	US$ 2.32 Billion
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	13.5% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 8.25 Billion

Fixed wing drones are widely used in military and defense sector as they require less to zero human help. These drones can effectively scan and map the area and provide accurate information in real-time. Fixed wing drones are also used in major construction and infrastructure development activities for surveillance purpose. The main motive is to detect and aid in any emergency situation.

Immediate response to fire accidents has always remained a top priority for public as well as private emergency services. Governments are now taking more initiatives to strengthen their fire and rescue departments by investing in those departments. Not only governments, but also some private funding is being provided to strengthen the facilities of rescue operations. Thus, all above mentioned aspects are set to boost sales of fixed wing drones and drone accessories in the coming 10 years.

Competitive Landscape

Drones can now fly farther and higher owing to developments in sensor technology, giving them a clearer view of hard-to-reach places. Manufacturers are also integrating advanced cameras and other sensors, enabling them to gather more comprehensive data about possible victims and dangers.

Fact.MR anticipates that search and rescue teams are expected to depend more on these adaptable and life-saving devices as drone technology advances. Key players in the search and rescue drone market are generating high profits through innovations. In addition, market participants are also developing autonomous technologies to avoid human errors while incorporating top-notch sensors and cameras for better operation efficiency.

Fact.MR provides detailed information about the price points of key manufacturers of search and rescue drones positioned across the world, sales growth, production capacity, and speculative technological expansion, in the recently updated market report.

Key Segments of Search and Rescue Drone Market Research

• By Product Type :

  • Fixed Wing
  • Rotary Wing
  • Hybrid Wing

• By Application :

  • Consumer/Civil
  • Commercial
  • Military

• By End User :

  • Police & Homeland Security
  • Fire Departments
  • Healthcare/EMS
  • Defense
  • Disaster Management
  • Others

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa