Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market Size Worth USD 14,740.07 Million by 2034 | CAGR: 31.81%

The autonomous underwater vehicle market size is expected to reach USD 14,740.07 million by 2034, according to a new study by Polaris Market Research. The report “Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report: By Technology (Collision Avoidance, Navigation, Communication, Imagery, and Propulsion), By Type, By Shape, By Payload, By Application, and By Region; Market Forecast, 2025–2034” gives a detailed insight into current market dynamics and provides analysis on future market growth.

An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is a robotic, untethered submersible designed to operate independently underwater without real-time human control. Equipped with sensors, propulsion systems, navigation tools, and onboard computers, AUVs are pre-programmed to carry out complex missions in marine environments. They use sonar, high speed cameras, and other instruments to collect data on water temperature, salinity, ocean currents, seafloor topography, and marine life.

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AUVs are widely used in scientific research, including oceanography and marine biology, to study ecosystems and climate change. They play a crucial role in offshore industries, such as oil and gas exploration, by inspecting pipelines, subsea infrastructure, and potential drilling sites. In defense and security, AUVs support naval operations through mine detection, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Environmental monitoring and underwater archaeology also benefit from AUVs. The ability of AUVs to operate at various depths and for extended durations makes them ideal for deep-sea exploration, where human access is limited.

Top of FormAutonomous Underwater Vehicle Market Report Highlights

• In terms of technology, the navigation segment held the largest revenue share in 2024 due to its ability to offer accurate mapping, positioning, and route planning for complex underwater missions.
• Based on type, the large segment accounted for 53.59% of revenue share in 2024 as oil and gas operators, and research institutions relied heavily on large vehicles for long-endurance and deep-sea missions.
• In terms of shape, the torpedo segment dominated the revenue share in 2024 due to its design that provided superior hydrodynamics, speed, and maneuverability for a wide range of underwater missions.
• Based on payload, the sensors segment held 28.19% of the revenue share in 2024, due to their versatility in delivering critical data across diverse underwater missions.
• North America autonomous underwater vehicle market held 34.91% of global autonomous underwater vehicle market share in 2024. This dominance is attributed to strong investments in defense and maritime security, particularly from the U.S. Navy and allied agencies.
• U.S. held 72.22% of revenue share in the North America autonomous underwater vehicle landscape in 2024, due to defense modernization initiatives and the need for advanced undersea warfare capabilities.
• A few global key market players include Blue Robotics, Exail, Fugro, General Dynamics Corporation, HII, Kongsberg Discovery, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Ocean Infinity, Oceaneering International, SAAB AB, Teledyne Marine Technologies Incorporated, and The Boeing Company.

Polaris Market Research has segmented the market report on the basis of technology, type, shape, payload, application, and region:

By Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020–2034)

• Collision Avoidance
• Navigation
• Communication
• Imagery
• Propulsion

By Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020–2034)

• Shallow
• Medium
• Large

By Shape Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020–2034)

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

By Payload Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020–2034)

• Sensors
• Cameras
• Synthetic Aperture Sonars
• Echo Sounders
• Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers
• Others

By Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020–2034)

• Army & Defense
• Petroleum & Gas
• Environmental Security & Tracking
• Oceanography
• Archeology & Exploration
• Search & Rescue Activities

By Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020–2034)

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • UK
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Netherlands
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Malaysia
  • South Korea
  • Indonesia
  • Australia
  • Vietnam
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Israel
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
  • Mexico
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America