Archive · 8 Oct 2026
US and Iran Dominate Global Military Drone Exports, Data Shows
A report counted military drones exported around the world from 2022 to 2025.
It recorded 16,822 drones in total.
The United States exported 7,593, and Iran exported 6,800.
Together, they made up about 85 to 86 percent of the total.
One report says most US exports went to Ukraine and most Iranian exports went to Russia.
The count included certain large drones and drones that can strike only once, but mostly left out small and commercial drones.
Almost all of Iran’s exports were Shahed-136 drones.
In 2025, US exports fell to 402, while Iran exported 2,002.
Türkiye exported fewer drones by unit count, but SIPRI’s measure of military capability transferred ranked it first.
SIPRI data compiled by Visual Capitalist records 16,822 military drone exports worldwide from 2022 through 2025.
The United States exported 7,593 drones and Iran 6,800, representing 45.1% and 40.4% of the total; together, they accounted for about 85–86%.
Germany ranked third with 1,000 exports, followed by Poland with 690 and Türkiye with 381.
About 95% of US exports went to Ukraine, while 99% of Iran’s exports went to Russia, according to one report.
The count includes certain large drones and one-way attack drones or loitering munitions, but largely excludes small FPV and commercial drones; single-use types made up 97% of the total.
- Who
- The United States and Iran were the largest military drone exporters in the data; Germany, Poland and Türkiye also ranked among the leading exporters.
- What
- SIPRI data records 16,822 military drone exports, including 7,593 from the United States and 6,800 from Iran.
- When
- The figures cover 2022 through 2025.
- Where
- Worldwide; reports say most US exports went to Ukraine and most Iranian exports went to Russia.
- Why
- The data compares military drone exports; the articles do not state why the countries exported them.
- Global total
- 16,822 military drone exports, 2022–2025
- United States
- 7,593 exports; 45.1% of the total
- Iran
- 6,800 exports; 40.4% of the total
- Combined US and Iran share
- Reported as about 85% in one article and about 86% in another
- Other leading exporters
- Germany: 1,000; Poland: 690; Türkiye: 381
- Data scope
- Drones weighing at least 150 kg, plus one-way attack drones and loitering munitions; small FPV and commercial drones were largely excluded
- Single-use share
- One-way attack drones and loitering munitions accounted for 97% of the total
- 2025 exports
- United States: 402; Iran: 2,002
