According to MarketsandMarkets™, the autonomous underwater vehicle market is expected to reach USD 10.94 billion in 2031 from USD 3.67 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 24.4%. In terms of volume, it is likely to grow from 1,123 units in 2026 to 2,771 units by 2031.
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market - Global Forecast to 2031"
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market Size & Forecast:
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market Trends & Insights:
The global autonomous underwater vehicle market is primarily driven by the need for autonomous, reliable, and cost-efficient underwater systems capable of operating in hazardous or hard-to-reach environments across defense, energy, and scientific domains. Advances in underwater navigation, high-endurance power systems, and mission-specific payloads are encouraging operators to adopt next-generation AUV platforms that deliver higher accuracy, longer mission duration, and improved operational efficiency for deep-sea exploration, surveillance, and infrastructure inspection.
By type, large AUVs (>1,000 meters) are expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.
This dominance is supported by increasing demand for deep-sea exploration, subsea cable route mapping, as well as complex military missions that require long-duration operations beyond 1,000 meters. Large AUVs offer larger payload capacity, advanced sonar systems, and extended mission endurance, which makes them suitable for mine countermeasures, environmental monitoring, geophysical surveys, and other demanding underwater applications. The ability to operate autonomously for extended periods while collecting high-quality data further supports their adoption.
By system, propulsion & mobility is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period.
Increasing mission complexity and the need for improved underwater maneuverability are driving investment in advanced propulsion and mobility technologies, including hybrid thrusters, low-noise electric drives and efficient buoyancy systems. These technologies support precise underwater navigation, improve energy efficiency, and extend mission endurance, which are important for both defense and commercial AUV applications. Continued development of propulsion and control technologies is further supporting the adoption of high-performance AUVs.
Asia Pacific is expected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
Growth in the Asia Pacific AUV industry is supported by expanding naval and coast guard capabilities, offshore energy development and increasing requirements for underwater surveillance and maritime security. Countries including China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Australia are investing in subsea intelligence, mine countermeasures, and deep-ocean mapping to strengthen underwater capabilities. Rising offshore wind development, subsea infrastructure expansion, and government-funded marine research programs are also creating demand for advanced AUVs capable of persistent and precise operations. Increased investment in oceanographic research, environmental monitoring, as well as climate-related studies is further supporting the adoption of AUVs across research institutions, universities, and hydrographic organizations.
Kongsberg (Norway), Saab AB (Sweden), BAE Systems (UK), Exail Technologies (France), and Saipem S.p.A. (Italy) are among the key players operating in the autonomous underwater vehicle companies. These companies have established strong distribution networks across various regions, including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and the Rest of the World.
