Military Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market Report 2026

The military unmanned underwater vehicles market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.28 billion in 2025 to $4.62 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing use of remotely operated vehicles for underwater reconnaissance missions, growth in naval modernization programs driving early adoption of unmanned underwater platforms, rising need for mine countermeasure operations using compact ROV systems, advancements in underwater acoustic communication technologies enabling better vehicle control, expansion of oceanic research activities requiring small and micro ROVs.

The military unmanned underwater vehicles market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.23 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for autonomous underwater vehicles for persistent surveillance and intelligence gathering, increased investment in unmanned systems to enhance naval capabilities and reduce human risk, rising focus on multi-mission uuv platforms supporting mine detection and anti-submarine warfare, technological advancements improving endurance navigation and payload capacity of underwater vehicles, expanding integration of uuvs in joint maritime security and seabed monitoring operations. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for light work-class rovs for tactical operations, growth of observation and micro/ mini rov deployments, expansion in underwater surveillance and oceanic research missions, emphasis on long-endurance autonomous underwater vehicles (auvs), focus on cost-efficient and multi-mission capable unmanned vehicles.

The increasing defense budget is expected to support the growth of the military unmanned underwater vehicles market in the coming years. A defense budget is a financial plan established by a government to allocate funds for military operations and defense-related activities. Rising defense budgets enable countries to invest in the research, development, procurement, and deployment of military unmanned underwater vehicles, thereby accelerating the expansion of the UUV market. For example, in October 2025, the UK Parliament's House of Commons Library reported that defense spending outlined in the 2025 Spending Review is projected to reach USD 83.3 billion (£62.2 billion) in 2025/26 and increase to USD 98.2 billion (£73.5 billion) by 2028/29, reflecting an average real-terms annual growth rate of 3.8% over this period. Therefore, expanding defense budgets are driving the growth of the military unmanned underwater vehicles market.

Companies in the military unmanned underwater vehicles market are emphasizing the development of advanced technologies such as autonomous navigation to improve mission effectiveness, reduce human risk, and support operations in complex underwater environments. Autonomous navigation allows a vehicle to operate independently, making decisions and executing tasks without direct human control, enabling UUVs to perform missions efficiently, safely, and in demanding underwater conditions. For instance, in October 2025, Fincantieri S.p.A., an Italy-based shipbuilding and naval technology company, introduced its first “DEEP” integrated underwater drone system at the Naval Support and Experimentation Center in La Spezia. This system is designed to safeguard and monitor critical underwater infrastructure and port areas, supporting both civilian and defense applications. It includes a network of underwater sensors, a Command-and-Control Center, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and an AI-based data analysis platform, marking a major advancement in dual-use underwater technology and reinforcing Fincantieri S.p.A.’s global leadership in the underwater sector.

In October 2024, Rheinmetall AG, a Germany-based technology group, partnered with DOK-ING d.o.o. to form a joint venture dedicated to developing and marketing unmanned combat and support vehicles. Through this partnership, both companies aim to advance European unmanned ground systems, including platforms for reconnaissance, mine-laying, and fire support, setting new technological benchmarks and delivering cutting-edge solutions for military and support operations. DOK-ING d.o.o. is a Croatia-based technology firm specializing in the development, production, and maintenance of unmanned, remote-controlled robotic systems.

Major companies operating in the military unmanned underwater vehicles market are Kongsberg Maritime, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Saab AB, Atlas Elektronik, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Boeing, General Dynamics Corporation, Gabri SRL, Eca Group, International Submarine Engineering, L3 Harris Technologies inc, Fugro N.V, Oceaneering International Inc., Blue Robotics Inc., Riptide Autonomous Solutions LLC, Aquabotix Technology Corporation, Deep Ocean Engineering, Eelume AS, Epsilon Systems Solutions, Forum Energy Technologies, Greensea Systems Inc., Hydroid Inc., Kraken Robotics, Ocean Infinity, Planck Aerosystems, Sea Machines Robotics, Sonardyne International Ltd., Subsea 7, Thales Group, The Boeing Company, Liquid Robotics.

North America was the largest region in the military unmanned underwater vehicles market in 2025. The regions covered in the military unmanned underwater vehicles market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs have impacted the military unmanned underwater vehicles market by increasing the cost of imported ROVs, AUVs, and propulsion systems, affecting segments such as work-class ROVs and tactical AUVs. Regions including North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, which rely heavily on imports, are most affected. While tariffs increase manufacturing and acquisition costs, they also encourage domestic production, innovation, and the development of cost-efficient unmanned underwater solutions.

The military unmanned underwater vehicles market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides military unmanned underwater vehicles market statistics, including military unmanned underwater vehicles industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a military unmanned underwater vehicles market share, detailed military unmanned underwater vehicles market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the military unmanned underwater vehicles industry. This military unmanned underwater vehicles market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Military unmanned underwater vehicles are underwater vehicles capable of operating without human intervention. These sophisticated vehicles find applications primarily in oceanic research endeavors within the military domain, offering advanced capabilities for exploration and surveillance.

The realm of military unmanned underwater vehicles, the primary products encompass remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Remotely operated vehicles function underwater and are controlled remotely from the surface, utilizing various propulsion systems such as electric, mechanical, and hybrid technologies. Their versatile applications range from search and rescue operations to defense-related tasks, showcasing their adaptability and significance in diverse scenarios.

The countries covered in the military unmanned underwater vehicles market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The military unmanned underwater vehicles market consists of sales of Light work class ROV, observation class ROV, micro or mini ROV, mobot, and other types. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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