Naval Mine Detection Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) Global Market Report 2025

The naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.46 billion in 2024 to $1.66 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.2%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to increasing naval security threats, rising naval defense budgets, advancements in sonar technology, a higher occurrence of maritime mine-related incidents, and the expansion of naval fleets.

The naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.69 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the adoption of autonomous mine detection technologies, the integration of AI and machine learning into UUVs, the rising demand for cost-effective naval mine countermeasure solutions, the global modernization of naval forces, and the increasing focus on unmanned maritime surveillance and reconnaissance. Key trends in the forecast period include the integration of advanced sonar technologies, AI-powered autonomous navigation systems, miniaturization of UUV platforms, improved underwater communication systems, and the development of hybrid, energy-efficient propulsion systems.

The increasing maritime security threats are expected to propel the growth of the naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) market going forward. Maritime security threats, such as piracy, armed robbery, and sabotage pose significant risks to naval and commercial vessels, particularly in vital shipping routes where geopolitical tensions are escalating. These threats create a pressing need for enhanced maritime surveillance and defense measures. Naval mine detection UUVs address this need by detecting and neutralizing underwater mines and explosives, offering real-time monitoring of high-risk areas, and ensuring safe navigation for both military and commercial vessels. For instance, in January 2024, according to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), a France-based business organization, in 2023 there were 120 reported incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery against ships, up from 115 in 2022, including 105 vessel boardings, nine attempted attacks, four hijackings, and two instances of gunfire. Therefore, increasing maritime security threats are driving the growth of the naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) market.

Major companies in the naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) market are focusing on developing high-performance, uncrewed undersea vessels to enhance mine detection accuracy and operational safety. These autonomous or remotely operated UUVs are designed to perform effectively in challenging marine conditions, equipped with advanced sensors, navigation systems, and propulsion technologies that enable precise detection, surveying, and mapping of underwater objects. For instance, in April 2025, Leidos, a U.S.-based defense and technology company, launched the Sea Dart UUV. This versatile and cost-effective vehicle supports multiple missions, including counter-mine operations, underwater surveys, infrastructure monitoring, battlespace preparation, and environmental sensing. Available in six- and nine-inch diameters and transportable by one or two people, Sea Dart offers customizable payloads and compatibility with the U.S. Navy’s underwater vehicle software and battery systems. With a cost up to 80-90% lower than comparable small UUVs, it is well-suited for high-risk, contested environments as well as scientific research applications.

In November 2024, BlueHalo, a U.S.-based provider of advanced defense technologies, acquired VideoRay for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, BlueHalo strategically expanded its technological capabilities into the unmanned maritime domain to become an all-domain provider of innovative defense technologies, enhancing its portfolio and supporting mission-critical applications for allied navies and coast guards worldwide. VideoRay is a U.S.-based manufacturer of underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) robotics systems for naval mine detection.

Major players in the naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, BAE Systems plc, Thales Group, Leidos Holdings Inc., Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., Rheinmetall AG, Elbit Systems Ltd., Saab AB, Hanwha Ocean Co. Ltd., Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Teledyne Marine Technologies Incorporated, Ocean Infinity Ltd., Tata Advanced Systems Limited, SeaRobotics Corporation, ECA Group, Shoghi Communications Ltd., Maritime Robotics AS.

North America was the largest region in the naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and 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.

The sharp hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.

The naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) market statistics, including naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) market share, detailed naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) industry. The naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) 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.

Naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) are specialized underwater systems that utilize advanced sensors and autonomous navigation to detect and pinpoint underwater explosive threats. They operate accurately in difficult marine conditions, providing dependable detection capabilities while improving operational safety and minimizing risks to human life.

The primary types of naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) include remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are tethered underwater devices controlled remotely by a surface operator, designed to detect and identify naval mines with accuracy. Their propulsion systems vary, including electric, hybrid, and others, tailored for different purposes such as mine detection, disposal, surveillance, and more, and they are utilized by multiple end-users including naval forces, commercial sectors, and research organizations.

The countries covered in the naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The naval mine detection unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) market consists of sales of sonar systems, underwater cameras, and navigation and control systems. 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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