Underwater Drones Market Size - By Type, By Product Class, By Propulsion System, and By Application - Global Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Underwater Drones Market Size

The global underwater drones market was estimated at USD 5.1 billion in 2024, with a volume of 45,871 units. The market is expected to grow from USD 5.6 billion in 2025 to USD 9.8 billion in 2030 and USD 16.7 billion by 2034 with a volume of 1,69,118 units, at a value CAGR of 12.8% and volume CAGR of 14.2%, during the forecast period of 2025–2034.
 

• The growth of the underwater drones market is attributed to factors such as the rising demand for ocean exploration, expansion of offshore oil & gas activities, maritime security and surveillance needs, growing investment in renewable energy projects, and technological advancements in autonomy & imaging.
   
• The growing demand for ocean exploration is a major growth driver for market. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), over 80% of the ocean remains unexplored, and less than 20% of the global seafloor has been mapped with high resolution. Several government, scientific community, and private enterprise are heavily investing in advanced technologies to uncover the marine environment and underwater geology. This has led to surge in demand for underwater drones both autonomous and remotely operated, due to their ability to offer cost effective, safe, and efficient solution for deep sea data collection.
   
• The rapid expansion of offshore oil & gas exploration and production operations is also accelerating the adoption of underwater drones to facilitate subsea inspections, monitoring, and maintenance. For instance, In September 2023, Rystad invested USD 214 billion in new projects for the offshore oil and gas (O&G) sector, which is ready to achieve the largest growth in a decade during the next two years. Offshore operators are focusing towards reducing operational risks, raising uptime, and ensuring regulatory compliance, which is influencing demand for remotely operated vehicles and autonomous underwater vehicles for pipeline monitoring, structural integrity testing, and leak detection.
   
• The increasing technological advancements in autonomous navigation, real time imaging, and data processing is driving the demand for underwater drones for intelligent and multi role subsea systems. For instance, In October 2023, Kongsberg Discovery has commenced an extensive program of sea trials for its new long-range autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Hugin Endurance. Such innovations has led to development of underwater drone, which are capable of collision avoidance, mission re-routing, and autonomous docking, which further enables long duration and deep sea missions.
   
• North America dominated the underwater drones market and was valued at USD 2.3 billion in the year 2024. This growth is driven by the robust defense spending and a mature ocean technology ecosystem. For instance, In March 2024, The US Navy plans to restart its Snakehead Large Displacement Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (LDUUV) program. For instance, In FY 2024, the DoD requested an estimated USD 10.9 billion to support uncrewed vehicle acquisition and development, which represents a growth of USD 1 billion dollar from previous year, as stated by AUVSI.
   

Underwater Drones Market Trends

• The rapid adoption of electric powertrains is a compelling market trend that is transforming underwater drones with longer mission durations, increased energy efficiency, and lower acoustic signatures, which are necessary for military as well as commercial applications. Brushless DC motors, lithium-ion battery packs, and supercapacitor systems are being integrated by manufacturers, making it possible for electric AUVs to operate for over 72 hours in some applications. This shift towards electrification is revolutionizing the underwater drone market by making more eco-friendly and cost-saving options, particularly for shallow water and mid-tier applications. This technology was in its starting stages during 2023 – 2025 and will keep propelling new designs of drones until 2025, powered by expansion for green and efficient technology.
   
• The growing interest of manufacturers in the creation of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is another major trend observed in the industry. autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are unmanned, unoccupied drones that perform operations independently with onboard intelligence, sensors, and pre-programmed mission plans. AUV technology advancements focus on improving autonomy, decision-making, and adaptability, making them essential for advanced underwater missions without the presence of human beings. This trend began to gain traction during the period of 2021 – 2024 with the transition to autonomy and AI integration also being complemented by many defence programs being adopted such as Snakehead LDUUV and Marlin. This trend will become a huge mainstream trend after 2025 with AUV's being critical to next gen naval upkeep, offshore infrastructure, and environmental observation.
   
• Another key trend in the market is increased utilization of enhanced sensors and imaging technologies in underwater drones, which enhance the quality of data for different applications. Some categories include high def 4K & 8K cameras, sonar, LiDAR, and environmental sensors, which improve data acquisition, mapping, monitoring, and analysis below the surface of the water. This trend was first witnessed during the period 2013 – 2018, with the introduction of 4K underwater cameras and hyperspectral imaging technology and witnessed immediate adoption during 2019 – 2022 with the growing trend towards multi sensor fusion and real time processing. This trend will continue to gain popularity post 2025, with continuous trend towards AI integrated sensor ecosystem, and digital twin framework.
   

Underwater Drones Market Analysis

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On the basis of type, the market is segmented into remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, and hybrid underwater vehicles.
 

• The remotely operated vehicles segment was the largest market and was valued at USD 2.3 billion in 2024. This segment is expanding primarily due to the growing need for exact, real-time subsea interventions across the offshore oil and gas, defense, and infrastructure inspection sectors. ROVs provide immediate control to the operator, possess significant payload capability, and support a wide range of interchangeable tools. These features makes them well-suited for applications such as deepwater pipeline surveys, subsea welding, mine countermeasures, and recovery operations.
   
• Their operational integrity in high-risk and high-pressure environments makes them more easily adoptable in those regions of the world with aging offshore assets and greater security restrictions around subsea infrastructure.
   
• Manufacturers and service providers must target next-generation ROV platforms that are in possession of real-time telemetry, tool modularity, and remote operator assistance via cloud or satellite communication.
   
• The autonomous underwater vehicles segment is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 14.1% during the forecast period of 2025 – 2034. The autonomous underwater vehicle segment is expanding quickly, driven by better autonomy, AI navigation, and batteries that last much longer. AUVs are now standard for deep-sea mapping, monitoring marine ecosystems, and carrying out military surveillance, all of which involve harsh conditions where sending humans is unsafe or too expensive.
   
• The capacity to undertake extended missions with little human intervention positions these systems ideally for projects like seabed mapping in support of the Seabed 2030 initiative, surveys of marine biodiversity, and operations beneath Arctic sea bed.
   
• OEMs should concentrate on modular AUV platforms with exchangeable payload bays and AI adaptive navigation to satisfy research, defense, and commercial seabed mapping demand.

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Based on the product class, the underwater drones market is categorized into micro class, small and medium class, light work class, and heavy work class.
 

• The light work class segment was the largest market and was valued at USD 2.2 billion in 2024. Light work underwater drones are also in high demand due to their short range of functions offering payload with manoeuvrability and price equilibrium of light intervention and inspection tasks.
   
• Their ease of deployment, reduced surface support requirements, and ability to be adapted to a variety of sensors and manipulators make them ideally suited for operations in confined or hostile areas with little access.
   
• Manufacturers need to enhance plug-and-play payload integration, edge AI compatibility, and tether management systems to support offshore contractors, ports, and infrastructure operators.
   
• The heavy work class segment is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 12.8% during the forecast period of 2025 – 2034. Underwater drones are essential to deep-sea operations including complex and heavy load interventions like subsea construction, trenching, drilling supplement, and heavy asset installation, hence heavy work class underwater drones.
   
• These ROVs are favored in ultra-deepwater oil & gas fields and offshore wind farms due to their superior lift capacity, robust tool integration, and reliability under extreme pressure.
   
• Manufacturers should invest in the development of hybrid HWROVs with electric-hydraulic subsystems, adaptive control algorithms, and real-time AI diagnostics in order to enhance performance in challenging subsea environments.
   

On the basis of propulsion system, the underwater drones market is bifurcated into electric, mechanical, and hybrid.
 

• The electric segment was the largest market and was valued at USD 2.4 billion in 2024. The electric propulsion segment is expanding due to its energy efficiency, lower acoustic signature, and lower maintenance need. Electric underwater drones are most appropriate for scientific research, environment monitoring, and commercial inspection where quiet operation and precision are of top priority.
   
• OEMs must focus on maximizing battery energy density, using smart power management algorithms, and offering fast charging dock stations for electric ROV/AUV fleets.
   
• The hybrid segment is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 12.9% during the forecast period of 2025 – 2034. The hybrid propulsion segment is gaining traction with operators focusing on the combined virtues of endurance, versatility, and mission adaptability.
   
• Hybrid systems integrate electric drive for stealth with mechanical or diesel modules for long range and high-thrust missions. These are especially ideal for deepwater exploration, endurance reconnaissance, and multi-mission defense use cases where power and stealth are both needed.
   
• Manufacturers must concentrate on modular hybrid architecture that permits equal effortlessness in shifting amid electric and mechanical mode and especially outrageous atmosphere and long-term situations.

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• U.S. dominated the underwater drones market and was valued at USD 2.1 billion in the year 2024. The U.S. is on the frontline in the application of AUVs and ROVs in various fields on a large scale. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) reported in 2024 that the Navy invested more than USD 1.2 billion in unmanned maritime systems, with a particular focus on autonomous underwater vehicles, specifically as mine searchers, intelligence collection, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. In addition, NOAA and other research institutes use AUVs in critical oceanographic mapping, which enhances global projects such as Seabed 2030 that continues to boost the market.
   
• Manufacturers must prioritize the development of advanced autonomous systems with good payload integration and compliance with defense regulations such as NDAA.
   
• The underwater drones market in Canada is anticipated to surpass USD 775.1 million by 2034. Canada's market is propelled by its expanding offshore oil and gas activities, increased focus on Arctic sovereignty, and strong investments in marine research. The Canadian Coast Guard and Ocean Networks Canada use AUVs to navigate under ice, monitor the subsea in remote areas, and map the habitat.
   
• Manufacturers should aim at production of ice capable rugged underwater drones, with modulable mirrorless sensor systems, capable of applications in both scientific and defense settings.
   

The underwater drones market in Europe is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 11.8% during the forecast period of 2025 – 2034. The market is experiencing expansion due to high commitments in relation to offshore renewable energy, maritime security, and marine environmental protection.
 

• The Germany underwater drones industry was valued at USD 336.2 million in 2024. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is investing in maritime robotics, especially in autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that support environmental monitoring and deep-sea research. At the same time, the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) is backing the use of unmanned systems in the Baltic Sea, improving underwater surveillance and mine-clearance missions.
   
• Manufacturers should develop rugged, long-endurance underwater drones optimized for offshore wind farm operations and defense applications specific to the Baltic Sea’s environmental conditions.
   
• UK underwater drones market is anticipated to surpass USD 749.4 million by 2034. The UK's offshore wind power is anticipated to reach 40 GW in 2030, according to Offshore Energies UK, and will create strong demand for underwater drones for foundation inspection, subsea cable monitoring, and maintenance. The country's old oil & gas infrastructure in the North Sea also necessitates regular ROV and AUV inspections to comply with regulations and safety.
   
• Manufacturers should invest in building modular underwater drones with high-level AI functions and real-time data analytics specific to offshore wind and oil & gas industries.
   

The underwater drones industry in Asia Pacific is the fastest growing market and is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 14.1% during the forecast period. High commitments towards offshore renewable energy, maritime security and marine environmental protection are fuelling the growth in the market.
 

• China underwater drones market is projected to reach USD 1.5 billion by the year 2034. The Chinese market for underwater drones is flourishing with its huge offshore oil & gas exploration, ambitious naval modernization, and rapidly growing offshore wind farm development. Huge plans of marine research programs for deep-sea mining and environmental monitoring also generate demand for highly advanced underwater drones with long endurance and autonomy.
   
• Manufacturers should focus on the development of modular, high endurance underwater drones to fulfil the needs of inspection of oil and gas plants, surveillance of defense and research of the sea.
   
• The underwater drones market in Japan was valued at USD 96.3 million in 2024. Japan's market for underwater drones is benefited from its advanced maritime technology ecosystem, strong defense industry investments, and extensive offshore renewable energy plans.
   
• Manufacturers should focus on developing high-precision, long-endurance underwater drones equipped with AI-driven autonomy and real-time analytics tailored for defense, renewable energy, and research use.
   
• India underwater drones market is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of over 15.8% during the forecast period. India’s market growth is driven by expanding offshore energy projects, increasing maritime security concerns, and growing marine research initiatives.
   
• Manufacturers should work on designing low-cost, long-lasting underwater drones that can function in the varied sea conditions in India, ranging from shallow coastal waters to deep-sea areas.
   

The underwater drones market in Latin America was valued at USD 261.9 million in 2024. The market in Latin America is gaining momentum due to increasing offshore oil & gas operations, particularly in Brazil’s pre-salt basins, and expanding deepwater exploration activities.
 

MEA market is projected to surpass USD 980.6 million by 2034. The underwater drones industry is rising due to increasing offshore oil & gas exploration in the Gulf region, infrastructural development, and rising maritime security concerns.
 

• South Africa market held a market share of 13.5% in 2024. South Africa underwater drones market is expanding due to increased offshore oil & gas exploration, escalating maritime security programs, and growing emphasis on marine conservation. The country's extensive coastline and strategic location along important shipping routes render underwater drones crucial for port security, pipeline inspection, and environmental monitoring.
   
• Manufacturers should focus on developing long-lasting, multipurpose, and highly endurance underwater drones for deep-sea and coastal operations.
   
• The underwater drones market in Saudi Arabia is projected to grow with a CAGR of 11.2% during the forecast period. Saudi Arabia’s market is driven by extensive offshore oil & gas infrastructure in the Persian Gulf, ambitious maritime security policies, and increasing investments in subsea energy exploration.
   
• OEMs should develop sturdy underwater drones with extended range and advanced sensor integration to meet Saudi Arabia's requirements for subsea infrastructure defense and inspection.
   
• The underwater drones market in UAE is anticipated to grow at CAGR of 12.1% over the forecast period. The government of the UAE has invested heavily on the smart port infrastructure and unmanned sea platforms programs, which are set to defend the essential sea routes and offshore field set-ups. At the same time, environmental surveillance operations in the Gulf of Oman are escalating the need to have accurate underwater drones.
   

Underwater Drones Market Share

• The underwater drones industry is a highly competitive and fragmented market with many big and small companies within the market. Oceaneering International, Inc., Kongsberg Maritime, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Teledyne Marine, and Saab Group, are the key players in the underwater drones market. These companies collectively account for 45.9% of the total market share in 2024.
   
• Oceaneering International, Inc. dominated the global market in 2024 with a market share of 17.5%. Its extensive range of ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) solutions designed for deepwater exploration, offshore energy, and subsea intervention accounts for its dominance. The identified relative advantages lie in proven performance under significant subsea conditions, the high level of integrating a tether-management system, and the implementation of AI-powered automation in the realm of diagnostics of faults. This strengthens its position, as the company continues to have strategic alliance with key oil and gas producers besides having key alliance with top global subsea infrastructure operators, hence continued leverage on the market.
   
• Kongsberg Maritime held 11.3% market share in 2024, owing to its leadership in Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and subsea communication systems. Kongsberg's HUGIN and REMUS AUV lines are well known for their endurance and long-range high-definition imaging, as well as their modular payload capabilities which allow for seabed mapping, defense monitoring, and deep-sea scientific research. The organization's in-house control software and cooperation with defense and ocean research institutes enhance its reputation in high-accuracy ocean exploration missions.
   
• Lockheed Martin Corporation held an 8.5% market share in 2024, focused primarily on defense-grade underwater drones for strategic naval applications. With its expertise in aerospace engineering, the company creates mission-adaptable, extremely stealthy UUVs (Unmanned Underwater Vehicles) for anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures, and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance). Lockheed's underwater systems portfolio is fueled by its collaborations with the U.S. Navy as well as ongoing advancements in autonomous navigation and battery technologies.
   
• Teledyne Marine accounted for a 5.3% share of the global market, offering small, sensor-packed underwater drones both to commercial and scientific markets. Its Bluefin and SeaBotix models are widely deployed in environmental monitoring, secure ports, and infrastructure inspections. Deep knowledge of sonar, imaging, and navigation systems is at the core of Teledyne's comprehensive, fully integrated solutions from tip-to-toe for underwater applications, consistent with existing oceanographic research and industrial applications.
   
• Saab Group held a 3.2% market share in the year 2024, specializing in defense and security operations through its Sabertooth and AUV62 vehicles. Saab underwater drones provide hybrid AUV/ROV operations, which allow for autonomous and tethered operations. They are used widely by naval forces for mine countermeasures, decoy training, and ASW mission scenarios. Saab's R&D in modular payload integration and its global defense affiliations are the foundation of its niche market position.
   

Underwater Drones Market Company

The top prominent companies operating in the underwater drones industry include:
 

• Oceaneering ROVs
• HUGIN AUV
• Marlin AUV
• Gavia AUV
• Seaeye Falcon ROV
• Bluefin-21 AUV
• Blueye X3
• Phantom ROV Series
• PowerRay
• FIFISH V6
• Sibiu Pro
• SRV-8 ROV
• BW Space Pro
• Neptune ROV
• Absolute Ocean AUV
• Eelume Subsea Robot
• SeaDrone ROV
• SeaCat AUV
• Seasam ROV
• Flying Nodes AUV
   

Oceaneering ROVs, HUGIN AUV, Seaeye Falcon ROV, and Bluefin-21 AUV are the market leaders and dominate the global underwater drones market through robust engineering, deep-sea reliability, and strong adoption across offshore energy, military, and deep-ocean research. These platforms benefit from decades of hydrodynamic R&D, sensor modularity, and integration of real-time data telemetry. Their success is due to scalability of deployment, worldwide support networks, and multi-mission versatility, ranging from pipeline inspection and mine detection to deep-ocean mapping and salvage.
 

Marlin AUV, Gavia AUV, Seasam ROV, SRV-8 ROV, and Sibiu Pro are key challengers aiming to close the performance gap through miniaturized yet capable platforms, emphasizing modularity, autonomous navigation, and swarming capabilities. The interests of these companies lie in relation to mid depth industrial inspections, marine research and coastal defense. Their systems are now optimised more towards AI-driven route optimisation, battery life enhancements, and intelligent integration with the sonar, bathymetric and positioning payloads to form data-rich operations.
 

PowerRay, FIFISH V6, BW Space Pro, SeaDrone ROV, and Blueye X3 are placed under the followers category and addresses consumer, light commercial, and education segments with compact, user-friendly underwater drones for real-time imaging, recreational exploration, aquaculture, and diver support. The models are focused on cost savings, user friendliness, and camera performance. Their competitive edge is plug and play convenience, support for VR headsets, and affordability pricing, all of which are most important to ocean enthusiasts, YouTubers, and marine inspection startups.
 

Eelume Subsea Robot, Absolute Ocean AUV, Neptune ROV, SeaCat AUV, and Flying Nodes AUV occupy niche roles, targeting specialized missions such as resident subsea inspection, bio-acoustic data collection, autonomous infrastructure monitoring, and swarm-based environmental sensing. These companies are pushing technological frontiers with flexible morphologies, tetherless power docking, and persistent deployment capabilities—especially for applications in renewable offshore energy, long-term oceanography, and subsea Internet of Things (IoT).
 

Underwater Drones Industry News

• In May 2025, Helsing has launched an underwater drone surveillance network powered by artificial intelligence for the detection of enemy submarines and ships out at sea for months at a time. The company’s artificial-intelligence tool Lura is at the heart of the setup, processing data from SG-1 Fathom drones, Helsing said in a statement.
   
• In April 2025, Anduril has announced the new unmanned undersea vehicle Copperhead, which is designed to launch from larger unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). Copperhead, together with the Dive-LD and Dive-XL, provides a new integrated and intelligent maritime capability, enabling a rapid responsive and adaptive operational access to the rising operational and strategic threats in the undersea battlespace, and all at a fraction of the cost of legacy options.
   
• In May 2023, Hydromea collaborated with Unplugged, a Norwegian company focused on inductive charging and data transfer technology, to develop a resident underwater drone system for the inspection and monitoring of underwater assets.
   

The underwater drones market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecasts in terms of revenue in (USD Billion) and volume in (Units) from 2021 – 2034 for the following segments:

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Market, By Type     

• Remotely operated vehicles 
• Autonomous underwater vehicles   
• Hybrid underwater vehicles 

Market, By Product Class 

• Micro class    
• Small and medium class     
• Light work class      
• Heavy work class     

Market, By Propulsion System   

• Electric         
• Mechanical    
• Hybrid

Market, By Application      

• Defense and security
  • Naval surveillance
  • Mine countermeasures
  • Anti-submarine warfare
  • Underwater intelligence and reconnaissance
  • Search and rescue missions
  • Others 
• Scientific research and exploration 
  • Oceanographic studies
  • Marine biodiversity monitoring
  • Seabed mapping
  • Climate and environmental studies
• Infrastructure inspection and maintenance
  • Pipeline and rig inspection
  • Underwater cable monitoring
  • Dam and bridge inspection
  • Port and harbour maintenance
  • Nuclear facility inspection
  • Others
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries: 

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe 
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Netherlands 
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina 
• Middle East and Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE