The civilian drone market - France

The global market for civilian drones has been experiencing substantial growth, particularly led by China, which now holds over 70% of the market share with DJI being recognized as the leading manufacturer. As of 2020, the global civilian drone market was valued at $6 billion and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15% between 2022 and 2027.

In France, where the market is largely dominated by professional drone applications, growth has stagnated around €250 million in sales between 2017 and 2020. This slowdown is attributed to stiff competition from Chinese manufacturers like Parrot, which has seen sales decline. Innovations in the industry, particularly in battery and energy solutions, and adjustments to regulatory environments, are essential for market growth. In response to increasing competition, French companies are striving to innovate, while the demand for drones continues to rise in sectors such as security, surveillance, agriculture, and delivery services.

Growth and Preferences in the Civil Drone Market

The civil drone market in France has shown significant expansion with growth rates averaging nearly 30% annually. This market is primarily dominated by professional drones, which command over three-quarters of the market share, leaving the leisure segment with the remaining portion. The surge in demand for professional drones reflects an increasing acceptance of drones across various sectors, specifically in applications such as aerial photography, surveillance, civil security, infrastructure inspection, and agriculture.

Within the professional context, the media sector claims the largest slice of the market, utilizing approximately one quarter of all civil drones for aerial photography and other relevant services. Meanwhile, an emerging sector has been surveillance and civil security, which saw impressive growth from about 5% to 20% over several years. French consumer perspectives on drones generally lean toward recognizing their innovative and technological nature, fitting well within contemporary trends. However, there remains a significant degree of concern regarding the safety and regulation of drones, with around 59% of the people surveyed expressing that drones could be hazardous, and roughly 40% finding them intimidating.

Despite these concerns, there is a clear preference for professional drone use over leisure applications. In terms of sheer numbers, we observe a considerable gap with support for professional drone development outpacing that of leisure drones by more than 20 percentage points. It's notable that the French market presents significant potential, as sectors like telecommunications and agriculture continue to integrate drone services into their operations. Service providers have enjoyed robust growth, with certain companies experiencing 100% increases in their turnover, reaching figures between 3 and 4 million euros.

On the global scale, China remains the preeminent force with approximately three-quarters of the global civilian drone supply, while local French ecosystem players continuously strive to innovate and maintain competitiveness against low-cost, quality alternatives offered by Chinese manufacturers.

In summary, the French civil drone market is marked by strong demand, particularly for professional applications, while regulations and safety concerns continue to guide consumer sentiment. With advancements in technology and a growing embrace of drone services in various industries, the landscape for civil drones in the country is dynamic and promising, despite international competition and regulatory challenges.

Key Players Shaping the Civil Drone Market Landscape

The civil drone market is a highly dynamic and competitive field with various players that operate at different levels of the value chain. Here's a closer look at some of the notable entities mentioned:

• Parrot: Positioned as a significant force in the drone industry, Parrot stands out not only as a manufacturer but also as a company with a broad footprint in drone technology. Specializing in a wide spectrum of drone solutions, Parrot has made a mark with innovations catered towards both recreational and professional applications, offering devices equipped with advanced features and catering to market demands for high-quality imagery and reliable performance.

• Delta Drone: An important name when it comes to drone operators, Delta Drone has a unique position in the market as a service provider and as an operator, dealing with drone operations and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Their expertise lies in operating drones for various applications, proving their competence in a sector that demands precision and adherence to stringent regulatory standards.

• Azur Drones: Known for manufacturing specific drones tailored to niche market requirements, Azur Drones has established itself with a product lineup that focuses on innovation and targeted functionalities. Their commitment to research and development allows them to offer drones that meet specialized industry needs, showcasing their ability to adapt and create in a competitive technological landscape.

• Delair Tech: Venturing into the realms of drone technology with a focus on professional applications, Delair Tech brings forth specific drone solutions that cater to businesses and industries requiring aerial surveying, inspection, and mapping services. Noteworthy for their attention to detail and precision, Delair Tech stands as a testament to the French market's potential in delivering professional drone capabilities.

• Instadrone: As a drone services company, Instadrone has paved its way to success by offering comprehensive drone-related services, including rental, pilot provision, and data analysis. Their growth trajectory is a clear indicator of the robust dynamics within the drone services segment, highlighting the demand for end-to-end solutions in various sectors such as telecommunications and agriculture.

Finally, the world leader DJI, hailing from China, overshadows many with its dominant market presence. With a broad catalog of products suitable for various market segments, DJI has secured its throne by offering drones that balance affordability with high performance, appealing to a vast array of customers worldwide. Their potential in data collection and integration with cloud platforms, like their collaboration with Microsoft Azure, exemplifies their sheer dominance and innovative capacity in the global drone market.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 05/10/2022

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Number of companies in the aerospace industry
• Number of employees in the aircraft and shipbuilding sector
• Growth in drone market size
• "For each of the following adjectives, would you say it corresponds rather well or rather badly to drones?"
• Percentage of respondents in favour of the development of civil drones
• "Would you say the use of drones is a good thing for...?"
• "Do you agree or disagree with each of the following propositions?"
• Evolution of interest in the "drone" search on Google
• Breakdown of civil drone use by sector
• Share of the UAV market held by value