Lianhe Zaobao,

(Summarised translation)

The origins of drone technology can be traced back to the early 20th century, with development initially driven by military needs. With technological advancement, drones have since expanded beyond purely military use into civilian and commercial applications.

According to a report by research firm Mordor Intelligence, the global drone market is projected to reach US$41.79 billion in 2025 and grow to US$89.7 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.9%.

In Singapore, Dr Foong Shaohui, Associate Professor of Engineering Product Development at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), said in an interview that the most mature local applications of drone technology are concentrated in industrial and infrastructure sectors.

These include high-rise building inspections, land surveying, and site monitoring.

Data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) shows that as of December 2025, there were 28,100 registered drones locally. About 70% are registered by individuals for recreational or commercial use, while the remaining 30% are registered by organisations.

According to market research firm Next Move Strategy Consulting, Singapore¡¯s drone market reached US$391 million in 2025 and is expected to grow to nearly US$669 million (about S$850 million) by 2030.

As the industry grows, Singapore companies are actively positioning themselves. Since 2018, ST Engineering has been developing drone technologies.

At the Singapore Airshow in February this year, the company unveiled its latest large cargo drone, the DrN-600, co-developed with U.S.-based Air Inc.

This drone has a wingspan of about 8 metres, a maximum take-off weight of 600 kg, can carry up to 100 kg of cargo, and has a flight range of 70 to 100 km.

The drone is expected to begin trial flights in the second half of this year and could enter the market by 2028.

Beyond cargo drones, Singapore has also developed cleaning and inspection drones.

Startup Spinoff Robotics, founded about five years ago, has commercialised two such drones and achieved profitability last year.

One model, ALICE, weighs 7 kg and is equipped with a high-pressure spraying system for cleaning and chemical application.

The company has worked with Gardens by the Bay to use ALICE for high-level horticultural maintenance, such as in the Supertree structures.

Another drone, METRON, weighs just 800 grams and is designed to inspect key components of elevated MRT tracks. Previously, such inspections were done manually, which could lead to errors.

METRON can fly into tight spaces, capture multi-angle images, and use 3D modeling to assess internal components, significantly improving accuracy and efficiency.

Drones have already taken off in some sectors in Singapore, but according to Associate Prof Foong, several key conditions are needed for drones to be fully integrated into urban infrastructure.

First, a robust air traffic management system is needed to safely coordinate drone operations within the existing air traffic environment. He said, “Technologies such as drone traffic management systems, remote identification, and automated flight approval are crucial for large-scale drone operations in high-density urban environments.”

Second, reliable infrastructure and operational frameworks are required. This includes establishing flight corridors, safe take-off and landing sites, and standardised operating procedures that allow drones to operate safely around buildings and crowds.

Third, businesses and the public need to have confidence in drone services.

Singapore¡¯s strengths lie in innovation, intellectual property development, and regulatory frameworks for integrating drones into airspace.

Spinoff Robotics co-founder Tan Chee How echoed this view, noting that while China excels in low-cost manufacturing, Singapore focuses on innovation¡ªsuch as improving precision spraying and developing sustainable cleaning solutions.

CAAS emphasised that beyond regulation, it actively supports industry development while ensuring aviation and public safety.

Authorities assist companies in testing drone technologies, identifying risks, and conducting trials in low-risk environments. They also provide a one-stop support system to facilitate innovation.

For example, the Maritime Drone Estate at Marina South serves as a sandbox environment for testing maritime drone technologies, including shore-to-ship delivery.

SUTD also operates an ¡°Aerial Arena¡± to support drone research and testing.

Associate Prof Foong noted that balancing innovation with safety remains a key challenge. As drone technology matures, regulatory frameworks must evolve to support broader and larger-scale urban operations.

Singapore¡¯s strong regulatory environment and emphasis on safety could position it as a model for other cities in developing advanced drone services.