Drone News

Drone-as-a-Service Takes Off in India and Beyond with Exponential Growth

Posted by

Pradipta V Mukherjee

August 11, 2025

On August 11, 2025

The market for drones as a service, or DaaS, is expanding at a rate never seen before, changing how businesses and governments operate in India and around the world. This outsourced model is enabling advanced aerial capabilities without the burden of ownership, from infrastructure inspection to agriculture.

Global Market Surge

The global DaaS market, estimated by MarketsandMarkets and Grand View Research to be worth USD 8–9 billion in 2023, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 30% to reach USD 60 billion by 2030. Developments in autonomous flight systems, Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, and AI-based drone analytics are driving the expansion.

India’s Accelerated Growth

According to data from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and a FICCI-EY report, the drone market in India is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18–20% between 2024 and 2030. Government initiatives such as the Digital Sky platform, the Drone Rules 2021, and the PLI Scheme for Drones have greatly streamlined licensing and stimulated investment.

Drones are being used in the public sector for infrastructure audits, border surveillance, disaster relief, and land surveys. Drone spraying services are being subsidized by government-backed programs in agriculture to increase crop yields and decrease the use of pesticides.

Commercial Adoption Expanding

DaaS providers are becoming more and more important to sectors like energy, real estate, and logistics. Businesses like Swiggy, Dunzo, and Skye Air are testing BVLOS delivery, suggesting that large-scale drone delivery networks may soon be possible. Drones are utilized in the private energy sector to inspect oil pipelines, wind turbines, and solar farms, lowering downtime and enhancing safety.

Global Leaders and Trends

Adoption is being accelerated globally in mining, agriculture, and infrastructure projects by businesses like Zipline, DroneDeploy, and Aerodyne. While African countries are using drones to deliver medical supplies in remote areas, the Middle East is making significant investments in drones for oil and gas inspections.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the industry’s promising future, obstacles include disparities in national regulations, worries about data security, and a lack of qualified operators. Industry participants think that these issues will be resolved by continued policy harmonization, pilot training funding, and AI-driven automation.

Drone as a Service is more than just a fad; it’s a fundamental change in the way that aerial capabilities are accessed and used globally, with government organizations, businesses, and startups all adopting the model.

Pradipta V Mukherjee

CEO, Mavdrones

Pradipta V Mukherjee is the visionary CEO of Mavdrones & Drone Pathshala, driving innovation and growth in the drone industry. With a passion for advanced technology, he leads the company's strategic direction, ensuring Mavdrones stays at the forefront of drone solutions. Under his leadership, Mavdrones has achieved remarkable success, including winning the 'Best Innovation and Technology in Drone Industry' award from ASSOCHAM. Pradipta is committed to revolutionizing the industry through advanced UAV technology, fostering a culture of excellence and forward-thinking within the organization.