Underwater Global Positioning System (GPS) Market Report 2026

The underwater global positioning system (gps) market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.19 billion in 2025 to $1.3 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to early development of underwater positioning and navigation systems, advancements in hydrophone and transceiver technologies, government and institutional funding for subsea exploration and monitoring, integration of sonar units for accurate underwater mapping, initial deployment of tethered buoy systems with surface gnss receivers.

The underwater global positioning system (gps) market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.83 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for autonomous underwater vehicle coordination and navigation, expansion of subsea infrastructure inspection and pipeline tracking services, adoption of advanced sonar integration and signal processing technologies, development of next-generation battery and power management systems for underwater gps, increased collaboration between manufacturers and maritime agencies for enhanced underwater positioning solutions. Major trends in the forecast period include enhanced underwater acoustic communication, multi-modal positioning integration, real-time underwater data analytics, expansion of subsea infrastructure inspection, growing demand for environmental monitoring.

The increasing investments in oceanographic research are expected to propel the growth of the underwater global positioning system (GPS) market going forward. Oceanographic research involves the scientific study of the ocean, including marine ecosystems, seabed mapping, and underwater geological processes, which rely heavily on precise underwater navigation and positioning technologies. The rise in oceanographic research investments is due to the recognition of the ocean's critical role in regulating the Earth's climate, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining human livelihoods. Underwater global positioning systems play a vital role in oceanographic research by enabling accurate location tracking of submersibles, sensors, and research equipment in deep and shallow waters. For instance, in March 2023, according to the United States Department of the Navy, a US-based government department, in 2024, the Department of the Navy increased its Naval Innovative Science and Engineering funding from 2% to 3% of budgeted orders to boost research, technology, and workforce development efforts. Therefore, increasing investments in oceanographic research are driving the growth of the underwater global positioning system (GPS) market.

Major companies operating in the underwater global positioning system (GPS) market are concentrating on launching innovative solutions such as compact autonomous GPS to deliver accurate and dependable navigation capabilities that improve the effectiveness of underwater missions. These compact autonomous GPS devices are integrated, small-scale systems that determine location independently, without continuous external data input. They typically include a GPS module, internal processor, and power source within a compact housing. For example, in April 2025, Teledyne Marine, a U.S.-based provider of marine technology products, introduced the Teledyne Compact Navigator. This ultra-small integrated navigation system is designed for subsea and surface vehicles and features phased array Doppler Velocity Log capabilities, very low power usage, depth tolerance up to 4,000 meters, and full autonomous functionality. It is especially suited for applications such as remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, and dynamic positioning in demanding marine settings.

In October 2023, Nauticus Robotics, a U.S.-based provider of autonomous underwater vehicles and robotic systems for offshore data collection and intervention, acquired 3D at Depth for approximately $34 million in stock. This strategic acquisition aims to enhance Nauticus’ autonomous underwater capabilities by integrating 3D at Depth’s LiDAR inspection technology, thereby expanding its sensor suite and data analytics offerings for subsea operations. 3D at Depth is a Canada-based provider of commercial subsea laser LiDAR inspection and data services, specializing in underwater mapping and asset evaluation.

Major companies operating in the underwater global positioning system (gps) market are Kongsberg Maritime AS, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Garmin Ltd., Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, Ocean Infinity Group Limited, Sonardyne International Ltd., Advanced Navigation Pty Ltd., AML Oceanographic Ltd., Meitrack Group Ltd., ATrack Technology Inc., JASCO Applied Sciences Inc., Edgetech Instruments Inc., Okeanus Science & Technology LLC, Notilo Plus, Digital Matter Ltd., EvoLogics GmbH, Underwater Inspection Sonar (UWIS), Underwater Communication & Navigation Laboratory, Water Linked AS, Blueprint Subsea AS.

North America was the largest region in the underwater global positioning system (GPS) market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the underwater global positioning system (gps) 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 introduced challenges to the underwater GPS market by raising costs of critical components like hydrophones, transceivers, and power modules, causing supply chain disruptions mainly in Asia-Pacific and European manufacturing hubs. Segments dependent on imported integrated systems and robotic navigation devices are most affected. Despite these challenges, tariffs have spurred manufacturers to localize production and innovate, fostering greater supply chain resilience and potentially opening avenues for more cost-effective product development.

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

Underwater global positioning system (GPS) refers to a navigation and positioning solution tailored for use beneath the water’s surface, where conventional satellite-based GPS signals are unable to penetrate. These systems operate by emitting sound waves between underwater transponders and receivers, which enables precise triangulation of positions.

The primary device categories within the underwater global positioning system (GPS) include handheld GPS units, integrated systems, wearable devices, and robotic navigation systems. Handheld GPS units are mobile tools that utilize satellite signals to accurately determine and present a user’s geographic position and are often utilized for navigation and outdoor activities. The technology employed ranges from acoustic GPS, optical GPS, radio frequency GPS, to hybrid systems, supporting a wide range of applications such as commercial diving, recreational diving, marine research, fisheries management, and search and rescue missions. These systems are distributed through online retail, offline retail, and direct sales channels, serving diverse end users such as the military and defense, commercial sectors, aquaculture, and recreational users.

The countries covered in the underwater global positioning system (gps) market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The underwater global positioning system (GPS) market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as subsea infrastructure inspection, pipeline and cable tracking, underwater archaeology and site mapping, autonomous underwater vehicle coordination, and port security and harbor surveillance. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The underwater global positioning system (GPS) market includes sales of hydrophones and transceivers, tethered buoy systems with surface gnss receivers, sonar integration units, and battery modules and power management units. 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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