Global Drone Market Expected to Hit $163 Billion by 2030 Driven by Technological Advancements
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Nov 13 2025
0mins
Should l Buy ZENA?
Source: Globenewswire
Drones as a Service (DaaS) Growth: The DaaS industry is experiencing rapid growth, with projections estimating the global drone market to reach USD 163.60 billion by 2030, driven by advancements in technology, increased adoption across various sectors, and the cost-effectiveness of outsourced drone services.
ZenaTech's Revenue and Expansion: ZenaTech, specializing in AI and DaaS, reported that 82% of its Q3 2025 revenue came from its DaaS segment, as the company aims to acquire 25 new companies by mid-2026 to enhance its service offerings in surveying, mapping, and agriculture.
Technological Innovations in Drones: Key advancements such as AI integration, improved battery efficiency, and the development of fully autonomous drones are expanding the capabilities of drones, making them suitable for complex tasks in industries like agriculture, logistics, and construction.
Regulatory and Market Trends: The North American drone industry dominated the market in 2024, with a significant share attributed to the adoption of drones for commercial uses, supported by favorable regulatory frameworks that enhance drone technology integration across various industries.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy ZENA?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on ZENA
Wall Street analysts forecast ZENA stock price to rise
1 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 2.090
Low
7.00
Averages
7.00
High
7.00
Current: 2.090
Low
7.00
Averages
7.00
High
7.00
About ZENA
ZenaTech, Inc. is a technology company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions for mission-critical business applications. It operates in software development technology, sales, and distribution, and drone manufacturing, sales, and distribution. Its software products are operated through ZenaTech, PacePlus, SystemView, ZigVoice, WorkAware, TillerStack and PsPortals while it pursues its drone business through ZenaDrone. Its drone technology solutions include ZenaDrone 1000, IQ Nano and IQ Square. The ZenaDrone 1000 is a drone that combines software technology and custom hardware components. ZenaDrone 1000 is used for video surveillance and inspections within industries, such as utilities, pipelines, construction, agriculture, wildlife management and large structure maintenance. The ZenaDrone IQ series is designed for indoor hovering with autonomous inspection and monitoring capabilities.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
ZenaTech Acquires 10% Stake in Route1 Inc.
- Share Acquisition: On April 21, 2026, ZenaTech acquired 4,688,499 common shares of Route1 Inc. through multiple transactions on the TSX Venture Exchange at prices ranging from $0.075 to $0.09 per share, representing approximately 10% of Route1's outstanding shares, indicating ZenaTech's confidence in the investment.
- Investment Purpose: The primary purpose of this acquisition is for investment, as ZenaTech did not hold any shares of Route1 prior to the purchase, and may consider participating in future financings or adjusting its holdings, reflecting a flexible investment strategy.
- Market Condition Considerations: ZenaTech's future investment decisions will be influenced by market conditions and other available investment opportunities, demonstrating the company's intent to seek optimal returns in a dynamic market environment.
- Early Warning Report: ZenaTech has filed an Early Warning Report in accordance with applicable securities laws, which will be available under Route1's profile on SEDAR+, ensuring transparency and compliance with regulatory requirements.
See More
SPARC AI Launches GPS-Independent Navigation Solution
- GPS Challenges in Modern Warfare: As electronic warfare capabilities advance, GPS signals are being jammed and spoofed in conflict zones, causing drones to lose positioning and missions to fail, forcing defense organizations to reassess operational strategies.
- SPARC AI's Innovative Platform: The Overwatch platform developed by SPARC AI enables navigation and target identification in GPS-denied environments without hardware modifications, offering a scalable and rapidly deployable alternative that significantly reduces costs and deployment timelines.
- Surging Market Demand: The drone navigation market is projected to grow at a 31.7% CAGR by 2030, and SPARC AI's solution directly addresses this demand, helping military forces maintain competitiveness on modern battlefields.
- Importance of Battlefield Validation: SPARC AI is deploying its platform in active conflict environments like Ukraine, where real-world performance will accelerate adoption in the defense market, demonstrating the reliability and effectiveness of its technology.
See More
Drones Become Essential Tools in Modern Military Operations
- Market Growth Potential: The global military drone market is expected to grow from approximately $36-37 billion in 2024 to around $80-90 billion by 2030, indicating a rapid expansion in defense technology that attracts investor interest.
- Strategic Shift: Small drones provide significant strategic advantages in modern warfare, enabling real-time enemy reconnaissance and supporting precision strikes, thereby transforming combat operations and enhancing operational efficiency.
- Showcasing Technology: ZenaDrone will showcase its AI drone solutions at various defense expos, aiming to build relationships with U.S. government and defense agencies to drive future pilot programs and procurement contracts, further solidifying its market position.
- Industry Collaboration and Innovation: Safe Pro Group successfully completed a U.S. Army live-fire exercise using its AI technology to process drone imagery, demonstrating its application potential in modern military operations and strengthening its collaboration with military stakeholders.
See More
Drones Become Essential Military Tools for Modern Warfare
- Market Growth Potential: The global military drone market is projected to grow from approximately $36-37 billion in 2024 to around $80-90 billion by 2030, highlighting the rapid growth potential in defense technology and attracting investor interest.
- Showcasing Technology: ZenaTech's subsidiary ZenaDrone will showcase its AI drone solutions at various defense expos, aiming to establish potential pilot programs and procurement contracts with U.S. government and defense agencies, thereby driving business development.
- Strategic Transformation: The use of small drones in modern warfare is transforming combat dynamics by providing real-time intelligence and precision strike capabilities, prompting governments to formulate comprehensive strategies around drone technology to enhance operational efficiency.
- Industry Consolidation Trend: As drone technology matures, companies like Safe Pro Group and Kratos Defense are enhancing their competitiveness in the defense market through innovative solutions and collaborations, driving overall industry consolidation and growth.
See More
ZenaTech to Participate in Multiple Defense Trade Shows
- Defense Trade Show Participation: ZenaTech's subsidiary ZenaDrone will participate in several defense and security trade shows aimed at establishing future pilot programs and procurement contracts with U.S. government and defense agencies, thereby enhancing its market competitiveness.
- Large-Scale Events: At the upcoming Sea-Air-Space 2026 exposition, over 16,000 attendees are expected, including senior Navy leadership and Department of War officials, providing ZenaDrone teams an opportunity to strengthen relationships with defense stakeholders.
- Technology Showcase Opportunities: ZenaDrone will present its drone solutions at the Industry 4.0 Deep Tech Showcase 2026, attracting interest from Air Force and defense industry investors, further promoting the application of its technology in government procurement.
- Future Capabilities Conference: At the Future Force Capabilities Conference 2026, ZenaDrone will engage with 700 defense leaders and industry innovators to showcase its AI-driven drone systems, supporting the company's strategic positioning in military capabilities.
See More
Rapid Growth in Drone-as-a-Service Industry
- Market Expansion: The global Drone-as-a-Service market is currently valued at approximately $12-13 billion and is expected to grow to $34 billion by 2032, indicating a steady growth trend that encourages active companies to enhance operations and capture market share.
- Wide Technology Applications: Drones are increasingly utilized across various industries such as agriculture, construction, energy, and logistics, aiding in crop monitoring, infrastructure inspections, and delivery services, which further drives rapid market demand growth.
- Strengthened Acquisition Strategy: ZenaTech has completed its 21st acquisition by acquiring Andy Paris & Associates, enhancing its market presence in the Pacific Northwest and boosting capabilities in drone-enabled inspections and surveys, facilitating the company's expansion in the region.
- Innovative Service Model: ZenaTech's Drone-as-a-Service platform offers subscription-based rapid drone services to business and government clients, reducing ownership costs while enhancing service efficiency and data analytics capabilities through AI integration.
See More
ZenaTech Acquires 10% Stake in Route1 Inc.
- Share Acquisition: On April 21, 2026, ZenaTech acquired 4,688,499 common shares of Route1 Inc. through multiple transactions on the TSX Venture Exchange at prices ranging from $0.075 to $0.09 per share, representing approximately 10% of Route1's outstanding shares, indicating ZenaTech's confidence in the investment.
- Investment Purpose: The primary purpose of this acquisition is for investment, as ZenaTech did not hold any shares of Route1 prior to the purchase, and may consider participating in future financings or adjusting its holdings, reflecting a flexible investment strategy.
- Market Condition Considerations: ZenaTech's future investment decisions will be influenced by market conditions and other available investment opportunities, demonstrating the company's intent to seek optimal returns in a dynamic market environment.
- Early Warning Report: ZenaTech has filed an Early Warning Report in accordance with applicable securities laws, which will be available under Route1's profile on SEDAR+, ensuring transparency and compliance with regulatory requirements.
See More
SPARC AI Launches GPS-Independent Navigation Solution
- GPS Challenges in Modern Warfare: As electronic warfare capabilities advance, GPS signals are being jammed and spoofed in conflict zones, causing drones to lose positioning and missions to fail, forcing defense organizations to reassess operational strategies.
- SPARC AI's Innovative Platform: The Overwatch platform developed by SPARC AI enables navigation and target identification in GPS-denied environments without hardware modifications, offering a scalable and rapidly deployable alternative that significantly reduces costs and deployment timelines.
- Surging Market Demand: The drone navigation market is projected to grow at a 31.7% CAGR by 2030, and SPARC AI's solution directly addresses this demand, helping military forces maintain competitiveness on modern battlefields.
- Importance of Battlefield Validation: SPARC AI is deploying its platform in active conflict environments like Ukraine, where real-world performance will accelerate adoption in the defense market, demonstrating the reliability and effectiveness of its technology.
See More
Drones Become Essential Tools in Modern Military Operations
- Market Growth Potential: The global military drone market is expected to grow from approximately $36-37 billion in 2024 to around $80-90 billion by 2030, indicating a rapid expansion in defense technology that attracts investor interest.
- Strategic Shift: Small drones provide significant strategic advantages in modern warfare, enabling real-time enemy reconnaissance and supporting precision strikes, thereby transforming combat operations and enhancing operational efficiency.
- Showcasing Technology: ZenaDrone will showcase its AI drone solutions at various defense expos, aiming to build relationships with U.S. government and defense agencies to drive future pilot programs and procurement contracts, further solidifying its market position.
- Industry Collaboration and Innovation: Safe Pro Group successfully completed a U.S. Army live-fire exercise using its AI technology to process drone imagery, demonstrating its application potential in modern military operations and strengthening its collaboration with military stakeholders.
See More
Drones Become Essential Military Tools for Modern Warfare
- Market Growth Potential: The global military drone market is projected to grow from approximately $36-37 billion in 2024 to around $80-90 billion by 2030, highlighting the rapid growth potential in defense technology and attracting investor interest.
- Showcasing Technology: ZenaTech's subsidiary ZenaDrone will showcase its AI drone solutions at various defense expos, aiming to establish potential pilot programs and procurement contracts with U.S. government and defense agencies, thereby driving business development.
- Strategic Transformation: The use of small drones in modern warfare is transforming combat dynamics by providing real-time intelligence and precision strike capabilities, prompting governments to formulate comprehensive strategies around drone technology to enhance operational efficiency.
- Industry Consolidation Trend: As drone technology matures, companies like Safe Pro Group and Kratos Defense are enhancing their competitiveness in the defense market through innovative solutions and collaborations, driving overall industry consolidation and growth.
See More
ZenaTech to Participate in Multiple Defense Trade Shows
- Defense Trade Show Participation: ZenaTech's subsidiary ZenaDrone will participate in several defense and security trade shows aimed at establishing future pilot programs and procurement contracts with U.S. government and defense agencies, thereby enhancing its market competitiveness.
- Large-Scale Events: At the upcoming Sea-Air-Space 2026 exposition, over 16,000 attendees are expected, including senior Navy leadership and Department of War officials, providing ZenaDrone teams an opportunity to strengthen relationships with defense stakeholders.
- Technology Showcase Opportunities: ZenaDrone will present its drone solutions at the Industry 4.0 Deep Tech Showcase 2026, attracting interest from Air Force and defense industry investors, further promoting the application of its technology in government procurement.
- Future Capabilities Conference: At the Future Force Capabilities Conference 2026, ZenaDrone will engage with 700 defense leaders and industry innovators to showcase its AI-driven drone systems, supporting the company's strategic positioning in military capabilities.
See More
Rapid Growth in Drone-as-a-Service Industry
- Market Expansion: The global Drone-as-a-Service market is currently valued at approximately $12-13 billion and is expected to grow to $34 billion by 2032, indicating a steady growth trend that encourages active companies to enhance operations and capture market share.
- Wide Technology Applications: Drones are increasingly utilized across various industries such as agriculture, construction, energy, and logistics, aiding in crop monitoring, infrastructure inspections, and delivery services, which further drives rapid market demand growth.
- Strengthened Acquisition Strategy: ZenaTech has completed its 21st acquisition by acquiring Andy Paris & Associates, enhancing its market presence in the Pacific Northwest and boosting capabilities in drone-enabled inspections and surveys, facilitating the company's expansion in the region.
- Innovative Service Model: ZenaTech's Drone-as-a-Service platform offers subscription-based rapid drone services to business and government clients, reducing ownership costs while enhancing service efficiency and data analytics capabilities through AI integration.
See More
