Sonobuoy Market - Global Forecast 2025-2032

The sonobuoy market is evolving rapidly, driven by increasing demands for advanced underwater surveillance, environmental monitoring, and maritime security. Senior decision-makers require clear insight into emerging trends and actionable strategies to navigate this intricate, innovation-led ecosystem.

Market Snapshot: Sonobuoy Market Size, Growth, and Development

The sonobuoy market grew from USD 683.79 million in 2024 to USD 726.12 million in 2025. It is forecast to continue expanding at a CAGR of 6.71%, reaching USD 1.14 billion by 2032. Growth is propelled by global investment in naval modernization, environmental research, and robust demand for multi-domain maritime domain awareness. Stakeholders across defense, research, and civil sectors increasingly rely on advanced acoustic technologies and real-time data processing capabilities.

Scope & Segmentation

This report provides a comprehensive view of key market drivers, segmentation dimensions, and regional forces shaping the sonobuoy industry. Strategic segmentation enables precise understanding of stakeholder requirements across the value chain.

• Product Types: Active sonobuoys, passive sonobuoys, and special-purpose sonobuoys—including command-activated, multistatic, EER, DIFAR, LOFAR, acoustic data relay, bathythermograph, telemetry, target, and calibration variants.
• Size Types: A-size, B-size, and C-size sonobuoys, suitable for varying mission and platform criteria.
• Components: Data links, power supplies, processing units, and sensors (acoustic and magnetic) ensure robust performance and reliable detection.
• Technology Types: Analog, digital, and multi-static systems integrate with evolving processing and networking protocols.
• Applications: Anti-submarine warfare, detection and classification, environmental research, maritime surveillance, search and rescue, tracking, and localization.
• End-Users: Coast guards, maritime security, defense R&D, patrol and naval aviation units, and naval defense forces.
• Regions Covered: Americas (including the United States, Canada, Latin America), Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA), and Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Australia, and others).
• Company Coverage: Analysis includes L3Harris Technologies, Thales Group, ASELSAN A.S., Atlas Elektronik, DSIT Solutions, General Dynamics, Hanwha Systems, Indra Sistemas, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, Radixon, Raytheon Technologies, Saab, Sparton, Ultra Electronics, and others.

Key Takeaways for Sonobuoy Market Strategy

• Rapid advances in acoustic sensing, AI-driven signal processing, and sensor miniaturization transform sonobuoy capabilities across military and civil applications.
• Integrated sensor networks and real-time data transmission support actionable intelligence for defense, research, and environmental stakeholders.
• Material science innovations lead to lighter, robust housings and longer operational lifespans, supporting flexible deployment and agile mission profiles.
• Modular system architecture allows cost-effective adaptation, addressing changing trade and procurement requirements while optimizing component sourcing.
• Regional market development is shaped by defense modernization, environmental stewardship, maritime sovereignty, and cross-sector collaborations.
• Open standards and interoperability initiatives foster seamless integration with naval, unmanned, and aerial platform ecosystems.

Tariff Impact: Navigating Trade Policy Challenges

In 2025, new tariffs imposed on vital sonobuoy components caused shifts in global supply chains and heightened manufacturing costs. Original equipment manufacturers responded by diversifying suppliers toward tariff-exempt locations, enabling continuity in capability delivery. Procurement entities adapted with strategic contract negotiation and cost-mitigation measures, including the use of modular subcontracting. Maintenance strategies evolved, leveraging predictive analytics to extend intervals and offset rising lifecycle support costs. These actions reveal the industry’s agility in responding to regulatory headwinds while maintaining consistent operational readiness.

Methodology & Data Sources

This report combines expert interviews, technical laboratory assessments, and secondary research from white papers, patents, and government procurement data. Data triangulation ensures findings are validated across quantitative and qualitative sources, providing robust insight into the sonobuoy market’s strategic outlook.

Why This Report Matters

• Empowers leadership with actionable guidance to optimize investment, procurement, and innovation strategies in the sonobuoy sector.
• Delivers thorough segmentation analysis, enabling targeted market engagement and effective portfolio development for both defense and civilian stakeholders.
• Supports risk mitigation and agile response to evolving regulatory and supply chain complexities, safeguarding operational capabilities.

Conclusion

With a dynamic landscape shaped by technology convergence, regulatory shifts, and regional priorities, the sonobuoy market demands an informed, adaptive approach. This analysis equips decision-makers with reliable insights to unlock opportunity and drive resilient growth.