Underwater Drone Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Hybrid Vehicles), By Application (Defense and Security, Scientific Research, Commercial Exploration, Others), By Propulsion System (Electric System, Mechanical System, Hybrid System), By Region & Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The Global Underwater Drone Market, valued at USD 4.20 Billion in 2024, is projected to experience a CAGR of 14.47% to reach USD 9.45 Billion by 2030. Underwater drones, also known as unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) such as Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), are robotic systems operating beneath the water surface, equipped with sensors and propulsion for various subsea tasks. Market growth is primarily driven by increasing global requirements for marine research and exploration, heightened defense and security needs including surveillance and mine detection, and expanding applications within the offshore oil and gas sector for infrastructure inspection and maintenance.

The strategic utility of underwater robotics is underscored by the expanding offshore renewable energy sector; according to the Global Wind Energy Council, offshore wind capacity is projected to reach 50 GW by 2025, a segment where underwater drones are integral for installation and upkeep. However, a notable challenge to sustained market expansion involves the ongoing limitation of battery life and power management, which curtails operational endurance and necessitates frequent recovery for energy replenishment.

Key Market Drivers

The global underwater drone market is significantly influenced by two primary dynamics: sustained advancements in autonomous navigation and sensor technologies, alongside escalating demand within defense and maritime security operations. These foundational developments collectively enable more complex, precise, and prolonged underwater missions, thereby broadening the practical utility and adoption of unmanned underwater vehicles across various sectors. Continuous innovation in artificial intelligence for navigation algorithms and enhanced sensor payloads directly contributes to greater operational efficiency and reduced human risk in challenging subsea environments. Concurrently, the critical requirements of national security agencies for advanced surveillance, reconnaissance, and mine countermeasures are a potent catalyst for technological development and procurement in this specialized market segment.

Advancements in autonomous navigation and sensor technologies underpin the expanded capabilities of underwater drones, allowing for unprecedented data collection and operational flexibility. For instance, according to InTrieste, May 2024, "Innovative Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Debuts in Sicilian Waters", the National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics (OGS) acquired an advanced AUV valued at over 4 million euros for oceanographic research, highlighting the investment in enhanced sensing for scientific exploration. Simultaneously, the escalating demand in defense and maritime security operations drives substantial investment into robust and capable underwater systems. This is evident in the United States, where according to the Secretary of the Navy, in the FY 2024 Department of the Navy Budget, the Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Family of Systems was funded at $283.7 million. These strategic investments and technological leaps have a tangible impact on market activity, as demonstrated by HII receiving a contract in October 2023 to supply up to 200 submarine drones for the US Navy's Lionfish System program, illustrating the direct procurement resulting from these combined drivers.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

The challenging factor explicitly mentioned in the overview for the Global Underwater Drone Market is the ongoing limitation of battery life and power management. This directly curtails operational endurance, necessitating frequent recovery for energy replenishment, which significantly hampers market expansion.

Such limitations increase logistical demands, as missions often require support vessels for recharging or battery swaps, consequently elevating operational costs and reducing the efficiency of data collection. This inability to sustain prolonged operations restricts the viability of underwater drones for extended missions in critical areas like deep-sea exploration, persistent surveillance, and comprehensive infrastructure monitoring. For instance, according to the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), in fiscal year 2024, the United States Department of Defense requested an estimated $10.95 billion to support uncrewed vehicle acquisition and development. These substantial investments underscore the demand for advanced capabilities, yet battery constraints impede the full utilization and mission duration for a portion of these assets, impacting return on investment and hindering broader adoption for longer-duration, autonomous tasks.

Key Market Trends

Two significant trends shaping the Global Underwater Drone Market are Modular Design and Customization for Diverse Missions, alongside Real-time Data Streaming and Edge Processing. These developments enable greater operational flexibility and immediate data utility, fostering broader adoption across various sectors.

Modular design and customization for diverse missions are driving market growth by allowing underwater drone platforms to be easily reconfigured with different sensors and payloads. This adaptability reduces the need for specialized fleets, offering cost efficiencies and expanding the utility of individual units across a spectrum of tasks, from inspection to scientific research. According to Saab Seaeye, in July 2025, it delivered its 600th Seaeye Falcon remotely operated vehicle, showcasing the widespread adoption of adaptable subsea systems. This modularity streamlines logistics and enhances responsiveness to evolving operational requirements in challenging subsea environments. The Global Underwater Hub, an industry body, reported in February 2025 that the UK's underwater industry, a significant contributor to global advancements in this field, was valued at £9.2 billion.

The proliferation of real-time data streaming and edge processing is another pivotal trend, transforming how data is collected and utilized. By processing information directly on the drone or at nearby subsea hubs, operators gain immediate insights, facilitating quicker decision-making and reducing the latency associated with transmitting large datasets to shore. This capability is crucial for time-sensitive applications like emergency response, dynamic environmental monitoring, and autonomous navigation in complex underwater terrains. Open Ocean Robotics, in November 2024, won second place in Singapore's PIER71 Smart Port Challenge for its advanced DataXplorer Uncrewed Surface Vehicle, recognized for innovations in maritime domain awareness and collaborative technology integration, which relies heavily on efficient data processing.

Segmental Insights

Within the Global Underwater Drone Market, the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) segment is experiencing rapid growth. This acceleration is primarily driven by continuous technological advancements, which enhance AUV capabilities in autonomous navigation, real-time imaging, and data processing for extended and deeper missions. Furthermore, the increasing global demand for comprehensive ocean exploration and scientific research fuels AUV adoption, as they offer efficient and safe data collection in unexplored marine environments. The expanding need for maritime security and defense applications, including mine countermeasures and surveillance, also significantly propels the AUV segment, as naval forces worldwide modernize their capabilities. Additionally, their utility in offshore oil and gas operations and renewable energy projects for inspection and maintenance tasks contributes to their robust market expansion.

Regional Insights

North America leads the global underwater drone market, predominantly fueled by significant defense sector investments. This includes substantial procurement of remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles for military modernization and strategic operations, notably by entities such as the U. S. Navy and Department of Defense. Concurrently, the robust offshore oil and gas industry in the region drives demand for underwater drones in critical inspection, surveying, and drilling support activities. Additionally, a mature ocean technology ecosystem and continuous advancements in marine research and exploration further solidify North America's prominent market position.

Recent Developments

• In September 2025, Saab unveiled its Autonomous Ocean Drone, a large uncrewed underwater vehicle (LUUV) developed for intelligence, surveillance, and seabed warfare. This new product launch was supported by a SEK 60 million (approximately $5–6 million) contract from Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration. The drone's design emphasizes modularity and adaptability, allowing for flexible deployment from either pier-side or covertly from compatible submarines. This development further positioned Saab at the forefront of evolving naval defense capabilities.

• In April 2025, Anduril Industries introduced Copperhead, a new unmanned undersea vehicle. This innovative drone was specifically designed for launch from larger autonomous underwater platforms, such as Anduril's own Dive-LD and Dive-XL. Copperhead is available in two models, Copperhead-100 and Copperhead-500, with a variant, Copperhead-M, equipped with a warhead. The system aims to provide advanced situational awareness and enable significant maritime effects for adversaries, presenting a cost-effective alternative to traditional naval assets in the undersea battlespace.

• In October 2024, Oceaneering International received a multi-million-dollar contract to supply its Freedom autonomous underwater drone and establish an Onshore Remote Operations Center for the U.S. Navy. The Freedom AUV is a proprietary system designed for wide-ranging inspection and data collection, capable of operating at depths of up to 19,500 feet and integrating various sensor payloads. The accompanying remote operations center acts as a virtual command hub, leveraging satellite networks to facilitate efficient remote piloting and mission management, thereby enhancing subsea security capabilities.

• In February 2024, the U.S. military's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) awarded contracts to Anduril Industries, Oceaneering International, and Kongsberg Discovery. This collaboration focused on prototyping large undersea drones for the U.S. Navy, aligning with the Navy's vision for a hybrid fleet incorporating crewed and uncrewed systems. The objective was to advance capabilities for subsea and seabed warfare, supporting diverse missions. This initiative underscored the industry's role in developing innovative autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) technologies to enhance maritime defense operations.

Key Market Players

• Boeing
• Lockheed Martin
• Saab
• Teledyne Marine
• Oceaneering
• Atlas Elektronik
• Deep Ocean Engineering
• ECA Group
• Kongsberg Maritime
• Subsea 7

Report Scope:

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

• Underwater Drone Market, By Type:

o   Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)

o   Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)

o   Hybrid Vehicles

• Underwater Drone Market, By Application:

o   Defense and Security

o   Scientific Research

o   Commercial Exploration

o   Others

• Underwater Drone Market, By Propulsion System:

o   Electric System

o   Mechanical System

o   Hybrid System

• Underwater Drone Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Underwater Drone Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Underwater Drone Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

Global Underwater Drone Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]