South Korea’s drone exports have increased nearly tenfold over the past two years, but the country still accounts for less than 0.5% of the global market, highlighting the need for strategies to boost export competitiveness, according to a report released Thursday by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).
The report, titled “Analysis of K-Drone Export Competitiveness and Future Challenges,” shows that global drone trade surged from $2.47 billion in 2022 to $6.11 billion in 2024, more than doubling over the period.
By country, Poland’s drone exports rose from $33 million (1.2% market share) to $550 million (9.6%), the U.S. from $144 million (5.1%) to $309 million (5.4%), and Israel from $52 million (1.9%) to $190 million (3.3%).
South Korea’s exports increased from $2.81 million to $27.54 million, representing roughly a 10-fold increase, but its global market share remains just 0.48%, ranking 20th, behind countries such as Denmark and Thailand.
The report highlighted structural weaknesses in South Korea’s drone industry, including a shortage of skilled personnel, insufficient R&D infrastructure, and heavy reliance on Chinese components. In addition, more than 80% of drone hardware and component exports are concentrated in just five countries, indicating a high level of regional dependence.
