Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (AUVs and ROVs) Market Size, Share, Trends & Growth
Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) Market by AUV (Shallow, Medium, Large), ROV (Observation Class, Medium/Small, Work Class), Application (Military, Oil & Gas, Oceanography, Search & Salvage), Propulsion, System, Speed, Shape, Region - Global Forecast to 2031
UNMANNED UNDERWATER VEHICLE (UUV) MARKET SIZE, SHARE & TRENDS
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
The unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) market is projected to grow from USD 6.91 billion in 2026 to USD 19.22 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 22.7%. In terms of volume (new deliveries), the market is projected to reach 67,263 units by 2031, up from 22,845 units in 2026. The UUV market is expanding as navies, offshore operators, and research agencies seek safer, lower-risk ways to inspect underwater assets, map the seabed, monitor marine conditions, and support mine-countermeasure or surveillance missions. Growth is also supported by advances in sensors, batteries, navigation systems, and underwater communication, which make AUVs and ROVs more effective for longer, more complex missions.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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By RegionThe European UUV market accounted for a 34.4% revenue share in 2025.
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By TypeThe autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) segment is projected to record the highest CAGR of 24.4% during the forecast period.
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By ApplicationMilitary & defense is projected to be the largest segment during the forecast period.
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Competitive LandscapeKongsberg, L3Harris Technologies, Inc., and Oceaneering International, Inc. were identified as star players in the UUV market, given their strong market share and product footprint.
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Competitive LandscapeHydromea, Msubs, and ecoSUB Robotics have distinguished themselves among startups and SMEs by securing strong footholds in specialized niche areas, underscoring their potential as emerging market leaders.
The UUV market is growing because defense, offshore energy, and research users need safer ways to work underwater without relying solely on divers or crewed vessels. AUVs and ROVs are used for seabed mapping, pipeline and cable inspection, mine countermeasures, surveillance, search and salvage, and marine monitoring. Growth is also supported by advances in batteries, sensors, sonar, navigation, and communication systems, which make these vehicles more reliable for longer, repeatable missions.
TRENDS & DISRUPTIONS IMPACTING CUSTOMERS' CUSTOMERS
The UUV market is primarily driven by the need to perform underwater inspection, mapping, surveillance, mine countermeasures, search and salvage, and environmental monitoring tasks with lower risk to divers and crewed vessels. Historically, the market has focused on tethered ROVs for offshore inspection, basic AUVs for seabed survey, and mission-specific vehicles used for oil & gas, defense, and ocean research applications. However, it is now shifting toward fully autonomous UUVs for deep-water and long-duration missions, hybrid UUV-ROV platforms for complex subsea operations, AI-assisted navigation and mission control, higher-capacity batteries and efficient propulsion systems, and multi-vehicle UUV operations for surveillance and ocean monitoring. These changes are driven by the need for longer mission endurance, better underwater positioning, improved sonar and imaging payloads, safer inspection of subsea infrastructure, growing defense use of autonomous systems, and the need to collect underwater data more regularly. This evolution affects UUV manufacturers, system integrators, navigation and sonar suppliers, imaging system providers, battery and subsea power suppliers, propulsion and thruster manufacturers, autonomy software providers, naval forces, maritime security agencies, offshore energy operators, research agencies, and marine monitoring organizations.
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
MARKET DYNAMICS
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Ongoing naval fleet modernization programs
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Rise in offshore energy exploration and pipeline inspection
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Limited bandwidth for underwater communication
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Lack of standardized policies in international waters and exclusive economic zones
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Expansion of dual-use applications across defense, commercial, and research sectors
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Advent of unmanned underwater vehicle-as-a-service and leasing models
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System reliability and data integrity challenges in high-pressure environments
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Interoperability and standardization constraints across multi-OEM UUV fleets
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
Driver: Ongoing naval fleet modernization programs
Navies are adding AUVs and ROVs to support mine countermeasures, surveillance, seabed mapping and underwater inspections. These vehicles help reduce risk to divers and crewed vessels while improving the ability to monitor ports, coastlines and critical underwater infrastructure.
Restraint: Limited bandwidth for underwater communication
Underwater communication remains a key limitation because acoustic links cannot transfer data as quickly as radio or satellite links used above water. Range, depth, background noise, water conditions, and vehicle movement can affect signal quality, limiting real-time video, remote control, and large data transfers during complex missions.
Opportunity: Expansion of dual-use applications across defense, commercial, and research sectors
UUVs are being used across defense, offshore energy, ocean research, environmental monitoring, and search and salvage missions. This creates wider demand for common vehicle platforms, sensors, navigation systems, and payloads that can support more than one end-use sector.
Challenge: Interoperability and standardization constraints across multi-OEM UUV fleets
UUV fleets use systems from different suppliers, which can create issues with data sharing, mission planning, communication, and payload integration. This makes it harder for operators to manage mixed fleets and increases the need for common interfaces and standardized operating workflows.
UNMANNED UNDERWATER VEHICLES (AUVS AND ROVS) MARKET SIZE, SHARE, TRENDS & GROWTH: COMMERCIAL USE CASES ACROSS INDUSTRIES
| COMPANY | USE CASE DESCRIPTION | BENEFITS |
|---|---|---|
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Kongsberg’s HUGIN AUV is used for commercial, scientific, and defense underwater missions. It can carry sensors such as synthetic aperture sonar, multibeam echo sounders, cameras, lasers, sub-bottom profilers, and environmental sensors for seabed mapping and underwater data collection. | Supports seabed mapping and underwater survey | Allows multiple sensor payloads in one vehicle | Helps collect commercial, scientific and defense mission data |
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Oceaneering was awarded a Defense Innovation Unit contract to build a Freedom AUV and to establish an Onshore Remote Operations Center for the US Navy. | Supports shore-based supervision of AUV missions | Reduces need for offshore operator presence | Helps defense users test remote underwater operations |
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Saipem’s FlatFish underwater drone completed a test campaign with Petrobras and advanced to the final project stage. The system is designed for autonomous underwater inspection of offshore energy assets. | Supports repeatable subsea asset inspection | Reduces dependence on vessel-led inspection work | Helps offshore operators collect inspection data with lower operational risk |
Logos and trademarks shown above are the property of their respective owners. Their use here is for informational and illustrative purposes only.
MARKET ECOSYSTEM
The UUV market includes several key participants, including AUV and ROV manufacturers, system and mission payload suppliers, system integrators, and end users. AUV manufacturers such as Kongsberg, Teledyne, Saab, and General Dynamics provide autonomous platforms for seabed mapping, mine countermeasures, surveillance, ocean research, and long-duration underwater missions. ROV manufacturers such as Oceaneering, FET, EyeROV, and Blueye supply tethered, remotely operated systems for inspection, maintenance, repair, survey, and search operations across offshore energy, defense, and research applications. System and mission payload suppliers provide critical subsystems such as sonar, imaging sensors, navigation systems, acoustic communication equipment, batteries, propulsion systems, and environmental sensors. These suppliers support both AUV and ROV manufacturers by improving vehicle endurance, underwater positioning, data collection, and mission performance. End users in this ecosystem include naval forces, offshore oil & gas operators, offshore wind companies, ocean research agencies, port authorities, and maritime security organizations that use UUVs to reduce risk, improve underwater visibility, and carry out missions in areas that are difficult or unsafe for divers and crewed vessels.
Logos and trademarks shown above are the property of their respective owners. Their use here is for informational and illustrative purposes only.
MARKET SEGMENTS
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) Market, By Type
AUVs are projected to lead the UUV market because untethered operations reduce deployment costs and enable efficient coverage of large, deep-water environments. Additionally, their autonomous navigation and modular payloads make them preferred for defense surveillance, subsea surveying, and offshore asset management. Rising demand for scalable, cost-efficient underwater operations further reinforces their dominance.
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market, By Shape
The torpedo configuration remains the dominant AUV design because it offers high hydrodynamic efficiency, low drag, and extended operational endurance. This performance profile makes it the preferred choice for naval surveillance, ocean-mapping missions, and inspection activities across offshore energy operations.
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market, By Propulsion
The electric segment leads the AUV market due to its energy efficiency, lower operating costs, and suitability for long-duration autonomous missions. Its quiet operation and reduced maintenance needs make it well aligned with defense, research, and survey requirements.
Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) Market, By System
The payload & sensor systems segment is expected to lead the UUV market because mission value depends on data quality, which drives demand for advanced imaging, sonar, and environmental sensors. Operators prioritize these capabilities to support defense, energy, and scientific applications.
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Market, By Application
The military & defense segment dominates the ROV market, as the navy deploys ROVs for surveillance, mine countermeasures, and intelligence missions. Additionally, the growing focus on undersea situational awareness and an autonomous force structure strengthens this segment’s lead.
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Market, By Size
The WCROV - Work Class Remotely Operated Vehicle (> 907 KG) segment is expected to dominate because these vehicles offer the power, depth rating, and tooling capability required for complex subsea intervention and maintenance tasks. Their suitability for deepwater operations and ability to support heavy industrial workloads make them the primary choice for offshore and infrastructure-related missions.
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Market, By Speed
The more than 5 knots segment dominates the market because ROVs exceeding 5 knots offer high transit speeds that improve mission efficiency and response time. These platforms are suited for wide-area surveillance, rapid inspections, and time-sensitive defense operations.
REGION
Asia Pacific to be fastest-growing UUV market during forecast period
The Asia Pacific region is expected to post the highest CAGR in the UUV market over the forecast period, driven by expanding coastal defense requirements, major investments in localized subsea manufacturing, and the rapid deployment of offshore energy infrastructure. Territorial disputes and the need to secure strategic shipping lanes have prompted regional navies to modernize their fleets by integrating autonomous and remotely operated systems for high-priority missions, including mine countermeasures, undersea monitoring, and anti-submarine tracking. This regulatory and military demand is supported by substantial state funding to build high-displacement, long-endurance unmanned platforms that reduce operational risks to personnel. Additionally, the region’s commercial maritime sector is accelerating the adoption of uncrewed platforms to support massive offshore wind arrays and deep-water cable inspections, enabling operators to conduct wide-area surveys and routine structural health monitoring more efficiently without relying on expensive traditional surface support vessels.
UNMANNED UNDERWATER VEHICLES (AUVS AND ROVS) MARKET SIZE, SHARE, TRENDS & GROWTH: COMPANY EVALUATION MATRIX
In the UUV market, Kongsberg is a key player due to its established position in autonomous underwater vehicles, a strong HUGIN AUV portfolio, and capabilities across seabed mapping, survey, defense, and long-endurance underwater missions. The company also has a strong system-level position because its AUVs support multiple payloads, including sonar, cameras, sub-bottom profilers, and environmental sensors. Forum Energy Technologies, on the other hand, is classified as an emerging leader because it has a focused role in ROV systems, especially through its Sub Atlantic and Perry product lines across observation-class and work-class ROVs. However, Forum’s position is more ROV-oriented and comparatively narrower than Kongsberg’s broader AUV and autonomous subsea systems coverage.
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
KEY MARKET PLAYERS
- Kongsberg (Norway)
- Saipem(Italy)
- BAE Systems (UK)
- L3Harris Technologies, Inc(US)
- Oceaneering International, Inc.(US)
- Teledyne Technologies incorporated(US)
- HII(US)
- General Dynamics Corporation(US)
- Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd(Japan)
- TKMS(Germany)
- Boston Engineering(US)
- Boeing(US)
- Xylem(US)
- International Submarine Engineering Limited(Canada)
- Northrop Grumman(US)
- AeroVironment, Inc(US)
- Forum Energy Technologies , Inc(US)
MARKET SCOPE
| REPORT METRIC | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Market Size in 2025 (Value) | USD 6.12 BN |
| Market Forecast in 2031 (Value) | USD 19.22 BN |
| CAGR | 22.7% |
| Years Considered | 2021–2031 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026–2031 |
| Units Considered | Value (USD BN/MN), Volume (Units) |
| Report Coverage | Revenue Forecast, Company Ranking, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends |
| Segments Covered |
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| Regions Covered | North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Rest of the World |
WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU: UNMANNED UNDERWATER VEHICLES (AUVS AND ROVS) MARKET SIZE, SHARE, TRENDS & GROWTH REPORT CONTENT GUIDE
DELIVERED CUSTOMIZATIONS
We have successfully delivered the following deep-dive customizations:
| CLIENT REQUEST | CUSTOMIZATION DELIVERED | VALUE ADDS |
|---|---|---|
| Leading Component Manufacturer | Additional component and sub-system segment breakdown | Additional market sizing value and volume tables for segments/subsegments covered at the regional/global level to gain an understanding of market potential by each country |
| Emerging Leader | Hydrogen powered UUV opportunity assesment | TAM insights and competitive information on targeted players to gain granular insights on direct competition and growth potential. |
| Regional Market Leader | Additional country market estimates | Additional country-level deep dive for a more targeted understanding of the total addressable market |
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
- June 2026 : Norway's Kongsberg Maritime and Italy's Drass signed a major strategic partnership to co-develop next-generation, highly autonomous underwater vehicles and naval solutions. The agreement combines Kongsberg’s market leadership in acoustic sensors, advanced sonar, autonomous software, and navigation platforms with Drass's expertise in compact manned submarines, heavy subsea platforms, and pressure-tolerant battery infrastructure. The industrial deal focuses on expanding manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) capabilities and delivering highly scalable subsea surveillance systems to protect critical maritime borders and underwater infrastructure.
- May 2026 : Announced at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, the governments of the US, UK, and Australia officially launched a major joint program under the AUKUS "Pillar Two" defense framework. Shifting away from slow, long-term acquisition models, the trilateral deal focuses on fast-tracking the production and deployment of advanced underwater drones. Backed by an initial USD 200 million funding commitment from the UK, the collaborative project is designing uncrewed platforms tailored to conduct continuous surveillance, execute deep-water military strikes, and protect vulnerable transoceanic internet cables and energy pipelines from state-sponsored sabotage.
- April 2026 : The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) awarded America's largest shipbuilder, HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries), a contract to deliver a submarine Torpedo Tube Launch and Recovery (TTLR) system. This specialized technology enables US Navy submarines to autonomously launch and retrieve HII’s REMUS AUV platforms directly through standard torpedo tubes, without human diver assistance. The contract marks a significant step forward in manned-unmanned teaming, allowing submarines to deploy long-range underwater drones for covert ISR and broad maritime tracking while remaining safely submerged.
Table of Contents
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Methodology
The study involved four major activities to estimate the current size of the unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) market. Exhaustive secondary research was conducted to gather information on the UUV market, its adjacent markets, and its parent market. The next step was to validate these findings, assumptions, and sizing with industry experts across the value chain through primary research. Demand-side analysis was conducted to estimate the overall market size. Thereafter, data triangulation procedures were employed to estimate the sizes of various segments and subsegments within the UUV market.
Secondary Research
During the secondary research process, various sources were consulted to identify and collect information for this study. The secondary sources included government sources, such as SIPRI; corporate filings, including annual reports, press releases, and investor presentations; white papers, journals, and certified publications; and articles from recognized authors, directories, and databases.
Primary Research
Extensive primary research was conducted after acquiring information on the UUV market through secondary research. Several primary interviews were conducted with market experts from the demand and supply sides across major countries of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and the Rest of the World. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, emails, and telephonic interviews.
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Market Size Estimation
The top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the size of the UUV market. The research methodology used to estimate the size of the market included the following details:
- Key players in the UUV market were identified through secondary research, and their market shares were determined through a combination of primary and secondary research. This included a study of the annual and financial reports of the top market players, as well as extensive interviews with leaders, including directors, engineers, marketing executives, and other key stakeholders of leading companies operating in the market.
- All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns were determined using secondary sources and verified through primary sources.
Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Market : Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approach
Data Triangulation
After determining the overall market size, the total market was divided into several segments and subsegments. The data triangulation and market breakdown procedures explained below were implemented, wherever applicable, to complete the overall market engineering process and arrive at the estimated market numbers for the market segments and subsegments. The data was triangulated by studying various factors and trends from the demand and supply sides. Additionally, the market size was validated using top-down and bottom-up approaches.
Market Definition
A UUV is a self-propelled underwater robotic system used for autonomous or remotely supervised operations across defense, commercial, and research activities. It supports missions such as seafloor mapping, inspection, surveillance, and data collection, enabling efficient underwater tasks without exposing personnel to operational risks.
Key Stakeholders
- Manufacturers and OEMs
- Component and Subsystem Suppliers
- System Integrators
- End Users
- Service Providers
- Regulatory and Certification Bodies
- Research & Technology Institutions
- Investors and Funding Agencies
Report Objectives
- To define, describe, and forecast the UUV market based on type, shape, speed, propulsion, application, and system
- To forecast the size of different segments of the market with respect to North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and the Rest of the World
- To identify and analyze the drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges influencing the growth of the market
- To identify industry trends, market trends, and technology trends currently prevailing in the market
- To analyze micro markets with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the overall market
- To analyze the degree of competition in the market by analyzing recent developments adopted by leading market players
- To provide a detailed competitive landscape of the market, along with a ranking analysis of key players, and an analysis of startup companies in the market
- To strategically profile the key market players and comprehensively analyze their core competencies
- To provide a detailed competitive landscape of the market, along with a market share analysis and revenue analysis of key players
Available customizations:
MarketsandMarkets offers the following customizations for this market report:
- Additional country-level analysis of the UUV market
- Profiling of other market players (up to 5)
Product Analysis
- Product matrix, which provides a detailed comparison of the product portfolio of each company in the UUV market
Key Questions Addressed by the Report
What is the current size of the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Market?
The Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Market size is expected to reach USD 8.72 billion by 2030, reflecting increasing adoption of underwater robotic systems for defense and commercial applications.
What factors are driving Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Market growth?
Market growth is driven by increasing demand for maritime security, offshore energy exploration, subsea inspection, and environmental monitoring along with technological advancements in navigation, sensors, and autonomous systems.
What is the expected growth rate of the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Market?
The Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Market is expected to record a CAGR about 8% during the forecast period, due to rising investments in underwater robotics and naval modernization programs.
What are the major trends in the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Market?
Major trends include the integration of artificial intelligence, improvements in underwater communication technologies, development of advanced autonomous navigation systems, and longer endurance battery technologies.
Which industries are the largest users in the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Industry?
The largest users include defense and military organizations, offshore oil and gas companies, oceanographic research institutions, and environmental monitoring agencies.
What is included in a Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Market Report?
A typical market report includes analysis of market size, market share, growth drivers, market trends, segmentation by vehicle type and application, regional insights, competitive landscape, and forecast analysis.
Which regions dominate the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Market Share?
Europe currently holds a significant share due to investments in subsea infrastructure monitoring and offshore energy projects, while North America and Asia Pacific are also important markets.
What are the future opportunities in the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Market?
Future opportunities include deep sea exploration, offshore renewable energy inspection, underwater surveillance missions, and increasing use of autonomous underwater systems for scientific research.
Which vehicle types are common in the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Market?
The market primarily includes Autonomous Underwater Vehicles and Remotely Operated Vehicles that are used for surveillance, inspection, oceanographic research, and underwater mapping.
Who are the key players in the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Industry?
Key companies include Kongsberg, Saab, Teledyne Technologies, Fugro, and Forum Energy Technologies that develop advanced underwater robotic systems for defense and commercial applications.
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Growth opportunities and latent adjacency in Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) Market
Connor
Apr, 2026
Does the report cover challenges like underwater communication limitations, navigation accuracy, and system reliability in deep sea environments?.
Justin
Apr, 2026
Is there a section on advanced technologies like AI driven autonomy, hybrid underwater communication, and energy dense power systems?.
User
Feb, 2020
I would like to know the market potential for body/chase materials used in USV and UUV body and would also like to know the relevant reports as per the requirement..