LONDON: Steady demand from government civilian agencies is pushing the air surveillance market in Europe, especially for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), civil helicopters, multi mission aircraft and airborne radars.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Civil Security Air Surveillance Programmes, finds that the civil helicopters market earned revenues of $2.8 billion in 2009 and estimates this to reach $3.8 billion in 2016.
“The civil security air surveillance market in Europe will benefit from growing co-operation between EU member states and the industry,” says Frost & Sullivan Program Manager Balaji Srimoolanathan. “Large-scale events like the 2012 Summer Olympics in London will be a testing ground for civil UAVs.”
Civil security air surveillance is used in urban networks for law enforcement, maritime surveillance, emergency medical services, earth observation, and in the energy sector. There is significant potential in these sectors for air surveillance and greater cooperation among industry participants is making the market business critical.
However, reluctance to spend, questionable airworthiness and the increasing cost and sophistication of UAV’s are major market restraints. Consolidation is expected in the UAV segment post air space integration since there are more than 100 market participants.
“The low level of airworthiness of civil surveillance aircraft makes public acceptance a challenge,” explains Srimoolanathan. “Civil aviation agencies and major manufacturers are addressing design and safety concerns in the aircraft by investing in research programmes to boost public confidence.”
Market participants should focus on high-potential markets such as Western Europe and the Nordic region. Companies should also adapt to emerging business models like ‘pay as you fly’.
“The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Greece, Spain and Italy are considered high-potential markets for the growth of civil security air surveillance,” concludes Srimoolanathan. “Setting-up base in these countries will give companies a first-mover advantage.”
Civil Security Air Surveillance Programmes is part of the Defence Growth Partnership Services programme, which also includes research in the following markets: Critical Infrastructure Security EU-Accession States Market Assessment 2008-2017, Unmanned Ground Vehicles Market Assessment – Europe, European Land ISR Radar Market Assessment and Asia Pacific Airport Security Market. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.
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