Asia Pacific Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market

The Asia Pacific autonomous underwater vehicle market is anticipated to reach USD 1.23 billion by 2030, from USD 0.80 billion in 2025, with a CAGR of 9.0%. AUV demand is primarily driven by the rise in maritime security modernization programs across the coastal areas of Asia Pacific. MSubs (China), Falmouth Scientific (China), Advanced Navigation (Australia), ST Engineering (Singapore), and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan) are the major players operating in this market. These companies have employed various organic and inorganic strategies, including acquisitions, agreements, collaborations, expansions, partnerships, and product launches, to strengthen their global footprint and capture a significant share of the regional market.

MSubs is a designer and manufacturer of manned and unmanned underwater platforms. With its long-duration and low-cost AUV portfolio, the company targets defense, research, and commercial end users. Its modular AUVs include the S201 and S202 platforms, capable of deep-water intelligence and surveillance tasks. The company integrates advanced navigation, hydrodynamic design, and low-acoustic technologies into its underwater vehicles. These capabilities support inspection, reconnaissance, and subsea monitoring across complex marine environments.

To know about the assumptions considered for the study download the pdf brochure

Falmouth Scientific is a manufacturer of marine sensors, acoustic systems, and subsea platforms. The company offers its sonar systems, sub-bottom profilers, and modular ROV/AUV payload solutions globally. It also provides inertial navigation systems, acoustic/positioning sensors, and sea-floor mapping tools compatible with third-party ROVs and AUVs. These systems are widely used in offshore energy, marine geology, coastal studies, and naval hydrographic missions. Falmouth’s AUV-related offerings include customizable sensor payloads supporting deep-water inspection and high-resolution seabed imaging. The company continues to expand through innovation in underwater acoustics and integrated survey instrumentation.

Advanced Navigation is a technology company specializing in AI-based navigation, robotics, and autonomous marine systems. The company develops high-performance inertial navigation systems, acoustic positioning modules, and autonomy software for AUVs. Notably, Hydrus is a fully autonomous micro-AUV widely used for inspection, marine research, and environmental monitoring tasks. Meanwhile, its ROV-related products include subsea navigation, communication, and guidance systems designed for high-precision operations. These solutions leverage AI, fiber-optic gyros, and acoustic fusion to enable fully autonomous subsea missions. The company has operational hubs across Australia, Singapore, the US, and the UK, supporting global commercial and defense customers.

ST Engineering is a defense and engineering company with strong capabilities in unmanned maritime systems, naval platforms, and cyber-secure mission technologies. The company’s Marine division designs and manufactures ROVs, AUVs, and unmanned surface systems for defense, homeland security, and commercial subsea operations. Its ROV/AUV offerings primarily include Venus series autonomous systems, modular subsea platforms, and integrated payload systems for inspection and surveillance. The company provides end-to-end solutions spanning hull design, propulsion, onboard electronics, and autonomous mission control. It serves clients across naval forces, energy companies, port authorities, and marine research institutions.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is a prominent industrial group with capabilities across aerospace, defense, energy, and advanced marine engineering. The company develops cutting-edge underwater platforms, including AUVs, ROVs, and hybrid deep-sea exploration systems for scientific and industrial missions. Its subsea technologies support hydrographic surveys, offshore infrastructure inspection, mineral exploration, and environmental research. The company has a strong regional footprint in Japan and broader Asia Pacific, with customers across defense agencies, research bodies, and commercial sectors. Its underwater systems are deployed in deep-ocean exploration, pipeline inspection, and subsea asset monitoring applications.

Market Ranking

The Asia Pacific autonomous underwater vehicle market is highly competitive, with five major companies shaping technology leadership and operational capability. MSubs leads the market with its long-endurance submersible platforms and mission systems that support defense surveillance, deep-water research, and strategic undersea operations. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries follows with its advanced AUV and hybrid underwater systems, offering a strong portfolio in both deep-ocean exploration and subsea inspection. Falmouth Scientific maintains a strong position by integrating acoustic sensing, navigation, and custom subsea payloads across its AUV portfolio for seabed intelligence and hydrographic surveys. Advanced Navigation plays a strong role through its Hydrus AUV, which uses AI-based navigation and very accurate inertial systems. These technologies help the vehicle operate on its own during hydrographic surveys, environmental monitoring, and offshore inspection work. The focus is on reliable positioning, steady performance, and real-world deployment rather than lab testing. ST Engineering is one of the key players in the region, owing to its industrial-grade AUV and ROV systems widely used for infrastructure inspection, port security, and multi-mission maritime operations. The broader market consists of specialized and regional providers, with competition driven by advancements in oceanography and archaeology.

Related Reports:

Asia Pacific Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market By Shape (Torpedo, Laminar Flow Body, Streamlined Rectangular Style, Multi-Hull), Type (Shallow, Medium, Large), System, Speed, Propulsion, Application, Cost, and Country – Forecast To 2030

Contact:
Mr. Rohan Salgarkar
MarketsandMarkets™ INC.
1615 South Congress Ave.
Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445
USA : 1-888-600-6441
sales@marketsandmarkets.com