Sonobuoy Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Active, Passive, Special Purpose), By Application Type (Commercial, Defense), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 347.21 Million
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.78%
Fastest Growing Segment	Defense
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 486.42 Million

Market Overview

The Global Sonobuoy Market will grow from USD 347.21 Million in 2025 to USD 486.42 Million by 2031 at a 5.78% CAGR. Sonobuoys are expendable acoustic sensor systems deployed from maritime patrol aircraft or surface vessels to detect, classify, and localize underwater threats, functioning as the primary tactical sensor for anti-submarine warfare. The market is fundamentally driven by escalating geopolitical tensions and the rapid proliferation of advanced submarine capabilities among major naval powers, which necessitates persistent maritime domain awareness. This robust demand environment is reflected in broader defense trade dynamics; according to the Aerospace Industries Association, in 2024, U.S. aerospace and defense exports reached $138.6 billion, illustrating the sustained surge in international procurement of critical security assets, including underwater surveillance technologies.

Despite this strong demand, the market faces a significant challenge concerning the industrial base’s capacity to surge production during high-intensity operations. The reliance on specialized supply chains for precision acoustic components creates vulnerabilities, where manufacturing limitations may prevent the rapid replenishment of stockpiles required for prolonged naval engagements, thereby potentially impeding the market's ability to fully capitalize on global requirements.

Key Market Drivers

The expansion of global naval defense budgets serves as a primary catalyst for the sonobuoy market, driven by the urgent necessity to replenish stockpiles and modernize anti-submarine warfare (ASW) inventories. As nations increase fiscal allocations to counter underwater threats, procurement contracts are scaling significantly to ensure readiness for high-intensity maritime operations. This trend is exemplified by major procurement activities; according to GovCon Wire, December 2024, in the 'Sparton Books $107M Navy Contract Option for Sonobuoy Production' article, Sparton secured a $107.1 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy to produce AN/SSQ-125 sonobuoys. This budgetary prioritization extends beyond the United States, reflecting a coordinated effort among NATO allies to secure sovereign supply chains. Underscoring this European demand, according to Naval Today, in 2025, Ultra Maritime received an £18 million contract from the UK Ministry of Defence to supply acoustic sensors for the Royal Navy’s Merlin maritime patrol helicopters.

Rising geopolitical tensions and regional disputes, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, are further accelerating market momentum as nations seek to monitor adversarial submarine movements within contested waters. The proliferation of subsurface assets by rival powers has compelled regional actors to rapidly enhance their maritime domain awareness through direct foreign military sales and technology transfers. This strategic urgency is evident in recent transactional data; according to The News Minute, December 2025, in the 'US issues federal notification for $52.8 million sale of anti-submarine sonobuoys to India' report, the U.S. government approved a foreign military sale valued at $52.8 million to equip the Indian Navy with advanced sonobuoys. Such acquisitions highlight how regional instability directly translates into sustained operational demand for expendable acoustic systems to safeguard exclusive economic zones.

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Key Market Challenges

The industrial base’s constrained capacity to surge production during periods of high-intensity demand presents a critical challenge that directly hampers the growth of the Global Sonobuoy Market. While geopolitical tensions drive naval forces to increase procurement orders, the market's expansion is mechanically throttled by the inability of manufacturers to rapidly scale output. This production bottleneck prevents the timely fulfillment of contracts, thereby delaying revenue recognition and limiting the overall market volume that would otherwise be realized in such a high-demand environment.

This constraint is deeply rooted in supply chain fragilities, particularly the reliance on a narrow tier of specialized component providers. According to the National Defense Industrial Association, in 2024, 49 percent of defense sector respondents identified single or sole-source suppliers as a primary supply chain vulnerability, while 38 percent specifically cited capacity constraints. For the sonobuoy market, which depends on high-volume production of precision expendables, these industrial limitations mean that even with funded requirements, the supply chain lacks the elasticity to replenish stockpiles quickly. This effectively places a hard cap on market growth, preventing the industry from fully capitalizing on the surge in global defense spending.

Key Market Trends

The Deployment of Hybrid Active-Passive Multi-Mode Sensor Systems is transforming the Global Sonobuoy Market by consolidating typically separate acoustic capabilities into single, autonomous units. This trend addresses the operational need to detect quiet, diesel-electric submarines in littoral waters, where traditional passive-only sensing is often insufficient. By integrating high-power low-frequency transmitters with high-directivity passive receivers, these hybrid buoys enable multistatic operations that significantly expand detection ranges and tactical flexibility. This technological shift is gaining commercial traction; according to Naval Today, January 2025, in the 'Thales to supply French Navy with anti-submarine warfare sonobuoys' report, the French defense procurement agency (DGA) ordered several hundred SonoFlash units, which are the first mass-produced sonobuoys to combine active and passive modes in a single buoy.

Concurrently, the Integration of Sonobuoys with Unmanned Aerial and Surface Platforms is reshaping deployment strategies, driven by the development of miniaturized G-size form factors. Naval forces are increasingly utilizing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to distribute acoustic fields, necessitating lighter, more compact sensors that do not compromise on endurance or performance. This integration facilitates persistent, remote maritime surveillance while reducing the risk to manned patrol aircraft. The demand for such advanced, endurance-focused capabilities is evident in recent contracts; according to Naval News, April 2025, in the 'Ultra Maritime to provide active and passive sonobuoys to France' report, Ultra Maritime secured a deal to supply next-generation sonobuoys featuring battery technology that nearly doubles the operational life of active units, a critical enhancement for sustained unmanned operations.

Segmental Insights

The defense segment stands as the fastest growing category within the global sonobuoy market, driven by escalating geopolitical challenges and a prioritized focus on anti-submarine warfare. Naval forces globally are expanding their acoustic surveillance capabilities to detect potential underwater threats and secure maritime interests. This growth is supported by substantial procurement programs from institutions such as the United States Department of Defense, reflecting a critical need for persistent monitoring in contested waters. Consequently, the requirement for effective detection systems positions the defense sector as the leading contributor to market acceleration.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the Global Sonobuoy Market primarily due to extensive defense allocations by the United States. The United States Navy prioritizes anti-submarine warfare operations to secure maritime borders and monitor underwater threats effectively. This strategic focus results in consistent procurement contracts for acoustic sensing technologies supported by the United States Department of Defense. Furthermore, the presence of established defense contractors within the region ensures a continuous development and supply of these expendable systems, collectively strengthening the market dominance of North America.

Recent Developments

• In August 2025, Sparton DeLeon Springs LLC announced that it had been awarded multiple firm-fixed-price contracts to supply electro-acoustic devices and various models of sonobuoys to the defense departments of Australia, Canada, and India. These agreements reflect the growing international demand for advanced undersea warfare systems and the company’s expanding role in supporting allied nations. The contracts involve the delivery of specialized sonobuoy variants tailored to the specific maritime security requirements of each country. The company's leadership expressed commitment to providing high-quality engineering and production support to these strategic international partners.
• In September 2024, Ultra Maritime was awarded a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract valued at approximately $99 million by the United States Navy. This agreement covers the Low Rate Initial Production of AN/SSQ-53H sonobuoys, a critical component in the service's anti-submarine warfare arsenal. The contract facilitates the supply of these sensors for annual training, peacetime surveillance, and the maintenance of war reserve stockpiles. A senior executive at the company noted that this award reinforces their role in supporting naval defense operations and highlighted recent significant investments in their production capabilities to meet global demand.
• In June 2024, Thales successfully conducted launch and deployment tests of its new SonoFlash sonobuoy from a modernised Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft. The trials validated the operational performance of the buoy, which uniquely integrates both active and passive sonar capabilities into a single expendable device. This innovation allows for multistatic anti-submarine warfare operations and increased tactical flexibility for naval forces. The French Navy is the inaugural customer for this system, which aims to provide a sovereign acoustic search solution for its maritime patrol fleets, with mass production deliveries scheduled to follow the qualification phase.
• In March 2024, Sparton De Leon Springs LLC secured a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract worth $106.4 million from the United States Navy. The agreement authorizes the production and delivery of up to 20,000 AN/SSQ-125 Modified High Duty Cycle Sonobuoys. These advanced acoustic sensors are intended to support the Navy's annual training exercises, peacetime operations, and testing requirements, while also maintaining a sufficient inventory for potential major combat operations. The manufacturing work is scheduled to be performed at the company’s facilities in Florida and Indiana, with an expected completion date in March 2026.

Key Market Players

• General Dynamics Mission Systems
• Radixon Group Pty. Ltd.
• SeaLandAire Technologies, Inc.
• Sparton Corporation
• Ultra Electronics Holdings Limited
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• BAE Systems plc
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• QinetiQ Limited
• Naval Group

By Type	By Application Type	By Region
Active Passive Special Purpose	Commercial Defense	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Sonobuoy Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Sonobuoy Market, By Type:

• Active
• Passive
• Special Purpose

• Sonobuoy Market, By Application Type:

• Commercial
• Defense

• Sonobuoy Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE