Saudi Arabia air focus: The world’s fourth-largest UAV market seeks to strengthen domestic industry
GA-ASI showcased the full-sized YFQ-42A model at the Dubai Airshow 2025, with Shephard forecasting a potential $3 billion procurement in the coming years. (Photo: GA-ASI)
With $9.18 billion in uncontracted programmes — including a potential multi-billion-dollar MQ-9B deal — Saudi Arabia’s UAV sector is poised for significant further growth and industrial expansion.
The Saudi Arabian uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) market is worth US$13.54 billion, according to estimates from Shephard Defence Insight. It is the fourth-largest UAV market in the world after the US, India and Germany, sitting ahead of China, France, Japan, Turkey, Australia, the UAE and the UK.
Of this $13.54 billion, 32.2% ($4.36 billion) is estimated to have already been spent on UAVs, with the remaining 67.8% ($9.18 billion) accounted for by as-yet-uncontracted procurement programmes.
This percentage split between contracted and uncontracted programmes closely aligns with the average divided across the other countries with the highest UAV market values, at 34.7% and 65.3%, respectively. It
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Country-focused updates
-
Post-Falklands policy still haunts Argentina’s Navy but opportunities remain
Post-Falklands political constraints have eroded Argentina’s naval capability, leaving its maritime territory, which is twice the size of its land area, increasingly vulnerable to illegal fishing fleets. As procurement modernisation slowly gains momentum under the Milei government, defence suppliers should take interest.
-
SAHA 2026: Is the Turkish Army’s Altay MBT finally ready?
At SAHA 2026, the Altay was proudly on display. But has the platform finally overcome the problems that have left it repeatedly late?
-
Brazil air focus: Army set to dominate country’s $631.67 million UAV market from 2028
The Brazilian Army is forecast to spend $279.15 million on UAVs from 2026, exceeding the Brazilian Navy’s $227.51 million forecast spend, although the naval force was an earlier adopter of the capability.
-
Lithuania air focus: Majority of $235.98 million drone investment to be spent before 2030
Lithuania has committed significant funding towards expanding its UAV capabilities, with more than $54 million already spent and substantial additional investment planned through to 2029. Alongside domestic procurement, the country has also acquired various drones to support Ukraine.
-
February Drone Digest: US manufacturers face the Gauntlet and find success abroad
The US launched the Gauntlet test in February as part of its accelerated attack drone procurement effort while also exploring various naval capabilities that could lead to procurements down the line. Shield AI’s V-Bat, meanwhile, has been stirring up global interest.
