A private market researcher has predicted in a new industry forecast that China state-owned company will become the largest unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer in the next 10 years.

A private market researcher has predicted in a new industry forecast that China state-owned company will become the largest unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer in the next 10 years, the World Bulletin website reported.

A report by the Forecast International said that while the global drone market rise from $942 million to $2.3 billion between 2014 and 2023 due to increasing costs, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) will take over as the world's main drone production company, mostly for Chinese consumers.

According to Avionics Intelligence, AVIC manufacturers already produce “a wide range of UAVs, including its electrically powered micro air vehicle (MAV), the jet-powered LIEOE, which appears almost identical to the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk, for reconnaissance, surveillance, and attack missions, the AVIC Sky Eye, an electrically unmanned helicopter designed to be deployed by artillery or rocket round, for reconnaissance and targeting, and the TL-8 Sky Dragon for simulating cruise missiles for Chinese military.”

The Diplomat stated that China had already considered deploying some of its drones over Myanmar to hunt for and kill a wanted drug smuggler before it was decided that they wanted him alive. China has also used UAVs in the vicinity of the Senkaku Islands on routine missions, much to the displeasure of Japan.

Although Forecast International predicted that drone production will slow down after 2017, analysts said that “some 41,800 land- and sea-based unmanned systems worth about $10.5 billion are forecast for production during the 2014-2023.”