Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Shallow AUVs (up to 100 m), Medium AUVs (up to 1,000m), Large AUVs (more than 1,000m)), By Shape (Torpedo, Laminar Flow Body, Streamlined Rectangular Style, Multi-hull Vehicle), By Application (Collision Avoidance, Communication, Navigation, Propulsion, Imaging), and By Region 2021-2031F

Market Overview

The Global Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market will grow from USD 4.85 Billion in 2025 to USD 11.32 Billion by 2031 at a 15.17% CAGR. The Global Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market comprises submersible systems designed to operate without an onboard crew, functioning either as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The market’s growth is fundamentally supported by the rapid expansion of the offshore renewable energy sector, which necessitates frequent subsea inspections, and by increasing national defense budgets aimed at enhancing mine countermeasures and surveillance capabilities. Furthermore, rising demand for detailed oceanographic research and seabed mapping continues to bolster the adoption of these robotic solutions.

According to the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, in 2024, the U.S. Department of Defense requested approximately $10.95 billion for the acquisition and development of uncrewed systems, highlighting the substantial public sector investment driving the industry. Despite this strong financial backing, a significant challenge impeding broader market expansion is the technical limitation regarding underwater communication bandwidth and battery endurance, which currently restricts the operational range and autonomy of these vehicles in complex deep-sea environments.

Key Market Drivers

Escalating Global Defense Budgets and Naval Modernization Initiatives act as the primary catalyst for the Global Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market, as nations prioritize autonomous systems to counter asymmetric maritime threats. Navies are increasingly integrating UUVs for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, seeking to minimize risk to personnel while enhancing undersea situational awareness. This strategic shift is evidenced by substantial funding allocations toward advanced prototyping and core technology development. According to the U.S. Naval Institute, in March 2025, in the 'Report to Congress on Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles', the U.S. Navy's proposed FY2025 budget requested $68.2 million in additional research and development funding specifically for core technologies related to Unmanned Underwater Vehicles. Such investments underscore the growing reliance on robotic platforms for mine countermeasures and anti-submarine warfare.

The Expansion of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration in Deep-Water Environments and the rapid growth of renewable energy infrastructure further propel market demand. Energy companies are heavily investing in autonomous solutions for the inspection and maintenance of complex subsea assets, necessitating vehicles with extended endurance and advanced sensor payloads. This commercial upswing is reflected in the financial performance of key industry players. According to Teledyne Technologies, in April 2025, in the 'First Quarter 2025 Results' report, the company reported a $14.0 million increase in marine instrumentation sales, driven primarily by robust activity in the offshore energy and defense markets. Similarly, operational efficiency in the sector continues to improve. According to Oceaneering International, in February 2025, in the 'Fourth Quarter 2024 Results', the Subsea Robotics segment achieved a quarterly operating income of $63.5 million, marking a 26% increase compared to the previous year.

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Key Market Challenges

Technical limitations regarding underwater communication bandwidth and battery endurance constitute a primary obstacle restricting the commercial scalability of the Global Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market. These physical constraints severely curtail the operational range and mission longevity of autonomous units, rendering them unsuitable for extended deep-sea campaigns without frequent surfacing or retrieval. Because electromagnetic waves attenuate rapidly in water, high-speed real-time data transmission is virtually impossible over distance, forcing operators to rely on expensive support vessels to stay within acoustic range or physically retrieve data. This necessity negates the cost advantages typically associated with unmanned systems and prevents the industry from shifting towards fully autonomous, over-the-horizon workflows.

Consequently, the market remains heavily dependent on traditional, tethered, or vessel-supported interventions rather than transitioning to more efficient, untethered solutions. According to the International Marine Contractors Association, in 2024, member companies reported a collective total of over 1 billion hours of offshore project work, highlighting the sheer volume of operations that remain labor-intensive and reliant on conventional support infrastructure. This persistent need for human-in-the-loop oversight, driven by the current inability to sustain power or transmit data over long distances, directly inhibits the broader adoption of autonomous underwater vehicles in complex environments.

Key Market Trends

The Integration of Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Autonomy is revolutionizing the market by enabling vehicles to operate in complex, communication-denied environments without constant human intervention. Advanced algorithms now allow UUVs to perform real-time data processing and decision-making at the edge, significantly reducing the reliance on acoustic telemetry and support vessels. This technological leap is driving substantial manufacturing investments to scale production of AI-enabled platforms. For instance, according to Anduril Industries, January 2025, in the company announcement 'Anduril to Build Manufacturing Facility in Ohio', the firm detailed plans for a new $1 billion factory designed to mass-produce autonomous defense systems, including maritime drones equipped with its proprietary Lattice AI software.

Simultaneously, there is a marked Shift Toward Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) Business Models, which allows operators to procure data and hull cleaning outcomes rather than investing capital in depreciating hardware. This model lowers the barrier to entry for commercial clients and provides recurring revenue streams for technology providers, encouraging the deployment of resident systems for continuous maintenance. This strategic pivot is yielding measurable financial success for early adopters. According to Greensea IQ, January 2025, in the press release 'Greensea IQ Sees Record-Breaking Growth in 2024', the company reported a 57% year-over-year increase in topline revenue, a surge attributed primarily to the rapid expansion and adoption of its Robot-as-a-Service offerings such as the EverClean hull grooming solution.

Segmental Insights

Based on recent market analysis, the Multi-hull Vehicle segment is recognized as the fastest-growing category within the Global Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market. This accelerated expansion is primarily driven by the structural advantages of multi-hull designs, which offer superior stability and payload capacity compared to traditional single-hull configurations. These vehicles effectively accommodate heavier sensor suites and auxiliary equipment necessary for extended hydrographic surveys and deep-water inspections. Furthermore, the modular versatility of multi-hull platforms allows operators to customize equipment for specific commercial and naval applications, thereby stimulating their widespread adoption.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the global Unmanned Underwater Vehicles market, primarily driven by substantial defense expenditures and strategic modernization programs initiated by the U.S. Navy. The region benefits from the presence of established manufacturers who collaborate with government agencies to enhance maritime security and mine countermeasure capabilities. Furthermore, the expansion of the offshore energy sector requires these vehicles for essential underwater inspections and maintenance operations. Continued investments in oceanographic research by institutions such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration further support regional market expansion, ensuring sustained demand for autonomous marine technologies.

Recent Developments

• In November 2024, Exail entered into an agreement with the French Defense Procurement Agency and Thales to provide sixteen autonomous underwater vehicles for the French Navy. The contract specified the delivery of A18-M drones, which are engineered to perform mine detection and classification tasks autonomously. These vehicles will be integrated with high-resolution sonar systems from Thales to support the navy's future mine countermeasures program. The collaboration aimed to replace aging equipment with advanced robotic systems that allow personnel to operate safely from a distance, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency of national maritime security forces.
• In June 2024, Anduril Industries announced the establishment of a new manufacturing facility in Rhode Island to scale the production of its Dive-LD autonomous underwater vehicles. The company planned to increase its manufacturing capacity to over 200 vehicles per year to meet rising demand for distributed undersea capabilities. This expansion followed the receipt of an $18.6 million contract from the U.S. Navy for large displacement unmanned underwater vehicles. The new site was designed to handle engineering, testing, and production tasks, allowing the company to accelerate the delivery of autonomous systems for both defense and commercial applications.
• In May 2024, Northrop Grumman announced that its Manta Ray prototype uncrewed underwater vehicle had successfully completed full-scale in-water testing off the coast of Southern California. The trials validated the vehicle's hydrodynamic performance, including its ability to utilize buoyancy-driven gliding and control surfaces while submerged. Developed for a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program, the vehicle was designed to execute long-range, long-duration missions without requiring on-site human logistics or maintenance. The company demonstrated the prototype's modularity by shipping it in subsections for rapid field assembly, a feature intended to support flexible deployment in various maritime environments.
• In April 2024, Kongsberg Discovery confirmed the completion of factory acceptance testing for the first production unit of the HUGIN Endurance autonomous underwater vehicle. This achievement marked the conclusion of a testing regimen that verified the system's autonomous mission management and redundancy features. The vehicle is capable of operating independently for up to 15 days with a range of approximately 2,200 kilometers, allowing for shore-launched missions without a support vessel. The leadership at Kongsberg Discovery stated that the platform was engineered to accommodate diverse payloads for applications ranging from environmental monitoring to critical infrastructure surveillance.

Key Market Players

• Kongsberg Gruppen ASA
• Saab AB
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
• Oceaneering International Inc
• Fugro N.V.
• General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc
• BAE Systems plc
• Atlas Elektronik GmbH
• L3Harris Technologies Inc

Report Scope:

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

• Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market, By Type:

• Shallow AUVs (up to 100 m)
• Medium AUVs (up to 1,000m)
• Large AUVs (more than 1,000m)

• Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market, By Shape:

• Torpedo
• Laminar Flow Body
• Streamlined Rectangular Style
• Multi-hull Vehicle

• Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market, By Application:

• Collision Avoidance
• Communication
• Navigation
• Propulsion
• Imaging

• Unmanned Underwater Vehicles 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