The global commercial drone industry is expected to maintain rapid development over the next five years, according to the Drone World Congress 2018 – UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Industry Development Forum, held in Shenzhen on June 23.

It is estimated that by 2022, the overall market value of the industry will reach $15 billion, nearly 12 times the figure in 2016, and the shipments of UAVs will grow six-fold from 2016 to 620,000.

Drones have been adopted for both military and civil use around the world, as they can fulfil missions that are impossible when relying on human labor, with their unparalleled capabilities including quick response, real-time image transmission and high efficiency.

Aside from mature application in military operations, drones have also become beneficial in civil areas. In China, for example, UAVs are being used in areas such as plant protection, power line and petroleum pipe line inspection, weather monitoring, mineral exploration and emergency communication.

In addition, drones can also be helpful in hazard assessment, biochemical detection, pollutants sampling and wildlife protection.

By the end of 2017, 2.9 million civil drones had been manufactured in China, growing 67 percent year-on-year. The output value of drones produced in Shenzhen exceeded 30 billion RMB, accounting for 70 percent of the global civil-use UVA market, according to the Shenzhen UAV Industry Association.