Autonomous Underwater Drone Market Report 2026

The autonomous underwater drone market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.99 billion in 2025 to $2.27 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising adoption of offshore exploration technologies, improvements in underwater sensor technology, expansion of marine research initiatives, growth in oil and gas subsea operations, increasing defense applications for underwater surveillance.

The autonomous underwater drone market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.84 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to integration of AI for autonomous navigation, development of hybrid underwater drones, increased investment in subsea infrastructure, expansion in environmental monitoring programs, growth in naval defense modernization programs. Major trends in the forecast period include increased use of modular underwater drone platforms, advancements in long-endurance underwater power and battery technologies, expansion of multi-depth autonomous surveying missions, rising adoption of compact drones for shallow-water inspections, growing integration of acoustic and optical sensor fusion systems.

The growing demand for maritime security is expected to drive the growth of the autonomous underwater drone market going forward. Maritime security involves safeguarding maritime routes, ports, and waters against threats and unlawful activities to ensure safe and secure maritime operations. The need for maritime security is rising due to increasing piracy and maritime crime, which threaten global trade and require stronger protection of vessels and sea routes. Autonomous underwater drones enhance maritime security by patrolling waters, monitoring ports, detecting and tracking suspicious vessels or submarines, and providing real-time surveillance without putting personnel at risk. For example, in July 2025, according to Security Council Report, a U.S.-based independent nonprofit organization that provides impartial analysis on the United Nations Security Council’s activities and decisions, there were 90 recorded piracy and armed robbery incidents involving vessels, representing a 50% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Therefore, the growing demand for maritime security is fueling the expansion of the autonomous underwater drone market.

Leading companies in the autonomous underwater drone market are focusing on technological advancements, particularly in propulsion systems, to enhance endurance, maneuverability, and operational efficiency in complex underwater missions. A propulsion system is the mechanism that generates thrust to move an underwater drone, generally using electric, hybrid, or conventional power sources. For instance, in April 2025, Anduril Industries Inc., a US-based defense company, launched the Copperhead family of intelligent autonomous underwater drones. Designed for rapid-response missions, variants such as Copperhead-M function as torpedo-like munitions deployable in swarms from larger unmanned underwater platforms, offering scalable and cost-effective maritime defense. Other variants support environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and search-and-rescue operations. These innovations aim to enhance naval and commercial underwater operations with greater speed, stealth, and networked autonomy while reducing costs compared to legacy systems.

In October 2024, Helsing, a Germany-based defense technology company specializing in AI-enabled defense systems, acquired Blue Ocean Marine Tech Systems for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition is intended to accelerate Helsing’s Maritime Defence Programme by incorporating Blue Ocean’s expertise in autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and advanced underwater robotics into Helsing’s wider defense technology portfolio. Blue Ocean Marine Tech Systems is an Australia-based company that designs and develops autonomous underwater vehicles and related maritime intelligence solutions.

Major companies operating in the autonomous underwater drone market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, L3Harris Technologies Inc., SAIPEM SpA, Subsea 7 S.A., Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Kongsberg Discovery AS, General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., Oceaneering International Inc, Fugro N.V., ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GmbH, Exail Technologies SA, Unique Group FZC, Deep Trekker Inc, GAO Tek Inc., Deep Ocean Engineering Inc., ecoSUB Robotics Ltd., Hydromea SA, Notilo Plus SAS, Ocean Aero Inc., RTsys SAS, SEABER SAS, VATN Systems AS.

North America was the largest region in the autonomous underwater drone market in 2025. The regions covered in the autonomous underwater drone 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 on underwater electronics, sonar systems, propulsion technologies, and battery components have raised production costs and extended delivery timelines for autonomous underwater drones, particularly impacting regions dependent on Asia-Pacific suppliers. Type and size segments using advanced imported hardware face the strongest disruptions, affecting defense, scientific, and commercial exploration usage. However, tariffs also encourage domestic manufacturing growth, promote local supply chain development, and drive innovation in cost-efficient underwater autonomy solutions.

The autonomous underwater drone market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides autonomous underwater drone market statistics, including autonomous underwater drone industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an autonomous underwater drone market share, detailed autonomous underwater drone market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the autonomous underwater drone industry. This autonomous underwater drone 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.

An autonomous underwater drone is a robotic device engineered to operate underwater independently, without the need for real-time human control. It navigates using pre-programmed instructions and onboard sensors, gathering data or performing tasks such as mapping, environmental monitoring, or inspections. These drones function as self-sufficient underwater robots capable of executing complex missions in challenging aquatic environments.

The primary types of autonomous underwater drones include hybrid drones, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Hybrid drones combine the capabilities of both autonomous operation and remote control. These systems are categorized based on power sources, such as electric and hybrid. By size, they are classified as large, medium, and small. Their applications span defense and security, commercial exploration, scientific research, and more, serving end users across industries including oil and gas, environmental monitoring, oceanography, aquaculture, and others.

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

The autonomous underwater drone market consists of sales of autonomous underwater vehicles, remotely operated underwater vehicles, and hybrid underwater drones. 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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