Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) Global Market Forecast to 2031 | Expansion of Dual-Use Applications Across Defense, Commercial, and Research Sectors Present Opportunities
Dublin, Aug. 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Market by AUV, ROV, Application, Propulsion, System, Speed, Shape, Region - Global Forecast to 2031" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
The global unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) market is projected to increase from USD 6.91 billion in 2026 to USD 19.22 billion by 2031, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.7% during the forecast period. Market expansion is being supported by rising deployments of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated platforms across defense, offshore energy, and marine research operations.
Demand for continuous underwater monitoring, deep-water infrastructure inspection, and reduced human involvement in hazardous subsea environments is accelerating UUV adoption. Operators increasingly require platforms with longer endurance, greater operating-depth capability, advanced autonomy, and flexible payload integration. These capabilities support naval missions, offshore asset management, hydrographic surveying, environmental assessment, pipeline inspection, and marine research.
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Segment to Record the Highest CAGR
By type, the autonomous underwater vehicle segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. AUV demand is increasing as defense agencies and offshore energy companies prioritize untethered platforms capable of wide-area mapping, long-endurance missions, and preprogrammed operation.
AUVs are increasingly deployed for hydrographic surveying, pipeline tracking, seabed surveillance, and environmental monitoring. Their ability to perform subsea data-collection missions with less dependence on support vessels strengthens their value for complex offshore and defense operations. Continued development of remote infrastructure, combined with demand for reliable and cost-efficient underwater data acquisition, is expected to accelerate adoption further.
Military and Defense Application to Remain Dominant
By application, the military and defense segment is projected to dominate the UUV market throughout the forecast period. Navies are expanding the use of unmanned underwater platforms for mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and tracking, intelligence and surveillance missions, and the protection of critical maritime assets, including subsea cables.
Defense organizations are seeking UUVs with longer battery life, higher levels of autonomy, larger payload capacity, and improved underwater situational awareness. These systems allow naval forces to conduct demanding subsea missions while reducing personnel exposure to hazardous environments. Ongoing naval fleet modernization programs across major markets are also accelerating procurement of advanced AUV and UUV systems.
Asia Pacific to Hold the Second-Largest Market Share
Asia Pacific is projected to capture the second-largest share of the unmanned underwater vehicle market during the forecast period. Regional growth is supported by sustained naval modernization, increased adoption of unmanned systems for maritime security, and extensive offshore energy activity.
Navies across Asia Pacific are expanding UUV deployments for mine countermeasures, seabed surveillance, and autonomous maritime monitoring. Substantial subsea infrastructure in the South China Sea is also increasing demand for dependable inspection, monitoring, and maintenance platforms. In addition, the region's established industrial and research base supports the development and adoption of advanced UUV technologies among defense, commercial, energy, and scientific users.
Competitive Landscape
Key companies operating in the UUV market include Kongsberg of Norway, Saipem of Italy, BAE Systems of the UK, L3Harris Technologies, Inc. of the US, and Oceaneering International, Inc. of the US. The competitive assessment examines market share, growth strategies, product portfolios, manufacturing capabilities, research and development activities, product launches, investments, and recent industry developments.
Research Coverage
The study evaluates the UUV market across multiple segments, subsegments, and geographic regions, providing estimates of market size and growth potential. It also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of leading market participants, company profiles, product and business offerings, recent developments, and key market strategies.
The report provides revenue approximations for the overall unmanned underwater vehicle market, helping established companies and new entrants evaluate the competitive landscape, strengthen market positioning, and develop informed go-to-market strategies. It also assesses the market's principal drivers, restraints, opportunities, and operational challenges.
Key Attributes
MARKET DYNAMICS
COMPANY PROFILES
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