Threats Of 2024: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

A single drone can cause damage hundreds of times greater than its cost.

Just a few years ago, many seasoned security experts did not take drones seriously. However, over the past 4 years, the picture has changed significantly and UAVs have become one of the most pressing security threats. Moreover, solutions for protecting various types of facilities are now in high demand on the market.

Key indicators of the Russian UAV market

The total volume of the Russian unmanned aerial vehicle market in 2023 amounted to more than 8 billion rubles . Such data was presented at the SPIEF by Rostelecom.

At the same time, the growth rate of this market could be even higher. This is explained by three factors. Firstly, in a number of regions in 2022, restrictions on UAV flights were introduced for safety reasons, primarily affecting commercial organizations using such devices. Secondly, regulation of the use of drones currently requires “fine-tuning” taking into account current challenges. Thirdly, the supply of drones on the Russian market does not fully meet the needs of potential customers. As a result, according to the calculations of the Aeronext Association, due to regulatory difficulties and restrictions, revenues from services using drones in 2023 decreased by more than a third.

Where UAVs are used

Every year, drones are increasingly used by both government agencies and businesses. About 40% of projects using UAVs are related to remote monitoring, about the same number are in the security sector, and another 10% are in logistics functions. Speaking about specific areas of use, unmanned systems are actively used to monitor real estate, control the progress of construction and the use of land, to monitor wildfires and natural disasters, ensure stable communications and deliver cargo in hard-to-reach places.

Challenges and Prospects of the Russian UAV Market

According to Rostelecom experts, if the current growth rate (+60%) is maintained annually , in 2024 the volume of the domestic UAV market will be about 13 billion rubles, and by 2028 it will reach 81 billion rubles. In 2025–2026, we should expect the implementation of the deferred growth caused by the need to adapt the market to new challenges.

In the medium term, we should expect further technological improvement of unmanned systems . UAV developers face ambitious challenges: how to increase the flight range, payload and “endurance” of the devices. The solution may be a wider use of high-strength composite materials, as well as the introduction of hybrid engines. A system for controlling a large number of UAVs seems promising; this will be in demand both by government customers and businesses.

The development of the UAV market will be stimulated both by private investment and by increasing the volume of state support, as well as orders from government agencies. The main areas for investment will be microelectronics, production facilities and software.

Let us dwell on the measures of state support in more detail . Since January 1 of this year, the national project "Unmanned Aerial Systems" has been launched in the Russian Federation, providing for the allocation of more than 696 billion rubles by 2030 for the development of the domestic industry of civilian UAV production. This project is comprehensive and is aimed not only at developing the production, but also the scientific base, as well as at developing the infrastructure and training personnel. Due to this, a cumulative effect will be ensured for the entire industry. The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia expects that due to the implementation of this national project, by 2030 the volume of the domestic market of unmanned systems will reach about 180 thousand devices, and the share of domestic products will be at least 70%.

An equally serious task is the development of new and improvement of existing means of countering UAVs . It is simply unrealistic to cover all significant industrial, infrastructure and social facilities with anti-aircraft missile and rifle systems. Therefore, it is important to increase the production of hardware systems that will allow suppressing a drone on approach and safely landing it outside the protected facility.

Why Manufacturers Need to Participate in Securika Moscow

Given the current challenges, solutions in the field of UAVs and their countermeasures are becoming extremely popular. Accordingly, the dynamic growth of this market opens up broad prospects for both new participants and experienced players wishing to enter new segments. And participation in the international exhibition of technical security equipment and equipment for ensuring security and fire protection Securika Moscow is an excellent chance to declare yourself and demonstrate your products to potential clients.

The importance of this event is emphasized by its high demand among the target audience. Thus, in 2024, 20,379 specialists from 81 regions of Russia and 22 countries visited the exhibition. It is worth noting that 93% of the total number of visitors influence purchasing decisions, and 64% hold leadership positions. Due to this, communication between potential partners is significantly simplified.

For example, at the Securika Moscow 2024 exhibition, the following took part in the “UAVs and Methods of Combating UAVs” exposition : Prime Radar Technologies, YUMIRS, Russian Broadcasting and Alert Networks Federal State Unitary Enterprise, Shvabe Holding, ESTER Solutions, Diagnostics M LLC, Free Cooperation Network, STILSOFT, Spetslab, and Special Control Technologies.

Also, as part of the business program, a SESSION was held: “UAVS – HOW TO DETECT AND HOW TO FIGHT?” , co-organized by Kaspersky Antidrone.

If your company is a manufacturer or supplier of UAVs or protection equipment against them, then participation in the Securika Moscow exhibition will allow you to find new partners and clients, as well as expand the geography of sales.