China‘s dominance in the U.S. drone market was highlighted in a letter sent by House lawmakers to the U.S. government.
This missive was addressed on March 19, 2024 by 13 congressmen to Gina Raimondo, secretary of Commerce; Katherine Tai, White House trade representative; and Alejando Mayorkas, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
China’s leadership in the drone industry
Between 2020 and 2023, drones in China experienced rapid growth. According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), drones weighing more than 250 grams increased from 517,000 to 1 million 267,000 units.
This increase reflects an annual growth of 18.75 percent.
On the other hand, China’s General Administration of Customs reports that drones weighing less than 250 grams are 1.8 times more numerous than drones weighing more than 250 grams.
The lawmakers urged officials to take action against China’s UAV manufacturers to stop the massive proliferation of a technology in the U.S. market that poses a clear threat to national and economic security.
The entities of interest include, among others, Shenzhen DJI Sciences and Technologies Ltd.
U.S. drone market
In the letter, the lawmakers refer that China’s UAV manufacturers, which have benefited from extensive support from the Chinese government, combine to control more than 77% of the U.S. hobbyist drone market and more than 90% of the commercial drone service provider market.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently released these U.S. registration figures:
- Total registered drones: 785,827.
- Registered commercial drones: 390,027.
- Registered recreational drones: 388,838.
- Paper registrations: 6,962.
- Certified remote pilots: 406,094.
- TRUST certificates issued: 852,456.
Military Defense Industry
Drone technologies provide important tactical advantages in the military field. First, these devices enable surveillance and mapping missions. In addition, they transmit crucial real-time information on enemy movements, locations and strategic positions.
Drones also facilitate the transport of supplies and equipment to remote areas.
In terms of the market, the 2023 report titled “Global Military Drones Market” by The Business Research Company (TBRC) indicates that the global military drones market will grow from $14.54 billion in 2022 to $15.88 billion in 2023.