Summary
Market forecast by Region, Size, Operation Type, and Lifecycle Phase. Country Analysis, Market and Technology Overview, Critical Raw Materials, Opportunity Analysis, and Leading Company Profiles
Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) represent a critical inflexion point in the evolution of modern naval forces. While many programmes remain in development, experimentation, or early production, UUVs are steadily emerging as indispensable assets that will reshape how navies conduct mine countermeasures, seabed surveillance, intelligence gathering, and undersea warfare. Their rise aligns with global naval modernisation efforts, where nations are seeking persistent, low-signature, and risk-reducing capabilities that can complement — and in select mission areas partially substitute — traditional manned submarines and surface vessels.
Our newly published study, “Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs): Market and Technology to 2033,” finds that the UUV domain is transitioning from isolated experimental platforms to integrated components of wider undersea and maritime architectures. Navies are moving away from single-mission autonomous vehicles toward layered, system-of-systems concepts, where UUVs operate in coordination with USVs, surface combatants, submarines, and shore-based command centres. This approach enables persistent ISR, wide-area mine hunting, seabed warfare, and environmental reconnaissance at a scale and endurance that standalone platforms cannot achieve.
This transition is being driven by rapid technological progress. Advances in autonomy software, AI-enabled decision support, sensor fusion, navigation in GPS-denied environments, and energy management are extending UUV endurance, depth, and mission complexity. Improvements in modular payload design and open-architecture mission systems allow UUVs to be reconfigured for diverse roles, including expeditionary and remote mine countermeasures, deep-water ISR, infrastructure monitoring, and payload delivery. As autonomy stacks mature, UUVs are increasingly capable of operating for extended periods with limited human intervention — a prerequisite for their inclusion in emerging doctrines such as distributed maritime operations, seabed warfare, and man–unmanned teaming.
Industry dynamics are evolving in parallel. Alongside established defence primes and naval system integrators, a growing ecosystem of technology-focused firms specialising in autonomy, AI, navigation, energy systems, and advanced sensors is shaping the UUV landscape. Early approaches that adapted commercial or aerial unmanned technologies for underwater use are giving way to purpose-built UUV platforms, engineered specifically for hydrodynamics, endurance, stealth, and naval integration. As a result, procurement strategies are increasingly focused on open architectures, modularity, and lifecycle upgradeability, reflecting the long development timelines and rapid pace of technological change inherent to the undersea domain.
Looking ahead, the coming decade will favour organisations capable of delivering integrated UUV ecosystems rather than standalone vehicles. Success will depend on combining robust autonomy, secure underwater and surface connectivity, adaptable payloads, and seamless interoperability with existing naval forces. As navies seek to extend undersea presence, reduce operational risk, and manage the escalating cost and scarcity of crewed platforms, UUVs are set to become a foundational element of future undersea warfare, maritime security, and seabed operations.
This report, in particular, provides an in-depth analysis of the following.
-
Overview: Snapshot of the UUV technology in the military market during 2025-2033, including highlights of the demand drivers, trends, and challenges. It also provides a snapshot of the spending with respect to regions as well as segments, and sheds light on the emergence of new technologies.
-
Market Dynamics: Insights into the technological developments in the UUV market and a detailed analysis of the changing preferences of governments around the world. It also analyses changing industry structure trends and the challenges faced by the industry participants.
-
Segment Analysis: Insights into the various systems market from a segmental perspective and a detailed analysis of factors influencing the market for each segment.
-
Regional Review: Insights into modernisation patterns and budgetary allocation for top countries within a region.
-
Regional Analysis: Insights into the systems market from a regional perspective and a detailed analysis of factors influencing the market for each region.
-
Opportunity Analysis: Analysis of future opportunities and scope for the UUVs in the global market. This will give you an indication of market demand potential for UUVs in different regions and of various hull lengths that are important for the forecast.
-
Key Program Analysis: Details of the top programs in each segment expected to be executed during the forecast period.
-
Competitive Landscape Analysis: Analysis of the competitive landscape of this industry. It provides an overview of key companies, together with insights such as key alliances, strategic initiatives, and a SWOT analysis.
Segmentation
The study concentrates on Unmanned Underwater Vehicles by, Region, Lifecycle phase, Size, and Operation type.
Region
-
North America
-
Europe
-
Asia-Pacific
-
Middle East & Africa
-
Latin America
Lifecycle phase
Size
-
SUUV - Small UUV (< 25cm)
-
MUUV - Medium UUV (26cm - 53cm)
-
LUUV - Large UUV (54cm - 210cm)
-
XLUUV - Extra Large UUV (>210cm)
Operation type
-
ROV - Remotely Operated Vehicle
-
AUV - Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
Scope
This market study offers a detailed analysis of the global UUV market for two reference years and over the next eight years. The market volumes are determined, and market dynamics, industry, technological development, and programmes are analysed.
Methodology specific to the topic
For this study, we examined developments across surface and subsurface naval platforms with a specific focus on littoral combat ships (LCS) and mine countermeasure (MCM) modernisation, replacement, and new procurement programmes. We analysed the evolving role of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and their increasing integration with surface combatants to support broader mission management and autonomous operations. In parallel, we assessed submarine fleet developments and evaluated how autonomous and unmanned submarines are creating new operational scope and market opportunities within this domain.
The study also evaluated seabed and deep-water asset protection requirements, reflecting growing concerns over the security of undersea infrastructure. Particular attention was given to deep-water intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) demands, especially in contested regions such as the Indo-Pacific. In addition, we analysed the demand for remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) supporting mine countermeasure missions, recognising their continued importance in mine identification and neutralisation within modern MCM architectures.
Opportunity Analysis
In this chapter, we consider the compound market growth and the market volumes for the segments of the main forecast. In addition, we discuss and analyse a relevant growth scenario (or scenarios) to show opportunities in the market. Where the main market forecast is based on a combination of traceable data and trends from predictable forecast factors, so does the growth scenario show opportunities in the market based on, for example, event assumptions, inventory replacement, or production capacity.
Who will benefit from this study?
This study is intended for a wide range of stakeholders involved in the planning, development, procurement, and deployment of UUVs and related autonomous undersea capabilities.
It will benefit defence procurement authorities evaluating current and future UUV acquisition strategies, including mine countermeasure, ISR, seabed warfare, and deep-water surveillance platforms. Government decision-makers and naval modernisation planners will gain insights into how UUVs are reshaping undersea force structures, reducing risk to crewed platforms, and enabling new mission concepts across littoral and deep-water environments.
The study is particularly relevant for naval capability planners and force-design teams responsible for integrating UUVs into fleet architectures alongside surface combatants, submarines, USVs, and ROVs. Budget and investment analysts will benefit from the long-term procurement and sustainment forecasts, supporting assessments of lifecycle costs and future spending requirements for UUV fleets across different size classes.
Defence research institutions and technology organisations focused on autonomy, naval robotics, and underwater sensing will find value in the analysis of technology maturity, mission evolution, and adoption timelines. Shipyards, submarine builders, and naval engineering firms can use the study to anticipate future demand for UUV launch, recovery, integration, and support infrastructure as unmanned undersea platforms become embedded in naval operations.
The study also supports autonomy software developers and mission-system suppliers working on navigation, AI-enabled decision-making, sensor fusion, and command-and-control for UUV operations. High-technology manufacturers producing sonars, acoustic communications, energy systems, navigation units, and modular payloads will benefit from visibility into platform demand and integration pathways.
For aerospace and defence integrators expanding into the unmanned undersea domain, the study provides a structured view of competitive positioning and entry opportunities. Strategic defence consultancies, investors, and market-intelligence firms will find the analysis useful for feasibility assessments, market sizing, and long-term growth tracking within the defence UUV sector.
Finally, industrial policy bodies, supply-chain agencies, and critical raw-material suppliers will gain insight into future demand for specialised materials, batteries, sensors, and subsea components driven by expanding UUV fleets. Academic institutions and think-tanks focused on naval strategy, unmanned warfare, and distributed maritime operations will benefit from the study’s assessment of how UUVs are transforming undersea conflict, deterrence, and maritime security.
ページTOPに戻る
Table of Contents
1 Executive Summary
1.1 Trends and Insights
1.2 Main Findings
1.2.1 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market summary by Region
1.2.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market summary by Lifecycle phase
1.2.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market summary by Size
1.2.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market summary by Operation type
1.3 Key Conclusions
2 Introduction
2.1 Scope
2.2 Definitions
2.3 Methodology
2.4 Who will benefit from this study
3 Technologies and Developments
3.1 Technology overview
3.2 Key Technological Developments
3.2.1 Advanced Autonomy & Mission-Level Decision Systems
3.2.2 High-Endurance Energy Systems (Fuel Cells, Hybrid Power, Next-Generation Batteries)
3.2.3 Precision Navigation Without GPS (INS/DVL/Terrain-Aided Navigation)
3.2.4 Underwater Communications & Distributed Networking
3.2.5 Modular & Open-Architecture Payload Systems
3.2.6 Advanced Materials & Deep-Rated Structural Technologies
3.2.7 Developments in Hull Design, Materials and Architecture
3.3 Technological developments in Russia and China
4 Critical Raw Materials
5 Market Overview
5.1 Introduction
5.2 UUV market volume distribution over forecast period by Region
5.2.1 Leading Countries in UUVs
5.3 Competitive landscape
5.3.1 Main market players overview
5.3.2 Leading products
5.3.3 Recent contracts overview
5.3.4 Main customers overview
5.3.5 Recent product introductions overview
5.3.6 Overview of the Chinese and Russian markets
5.3.7 Joint Ventures and Partnerships overview
6 Market Dynamics and Forecast Factors
6.1 Market Segmentation
6.1.1 Segmentation by the Diameter
6.1.2 Segmentation by the Type of UUV
6.2 Drivers
6.3 Trends
6.4 Opportunities
6.5 Challenges
6.6 Forecast Factors and Notes
7 Country Analysis
7.1 Overview
7.2 North America
7.2.1 United States
7.3 Europe
7.3.1 Belgium
7.3.2 France
7.3.3 Germany
7.3.4 Italy
7.3.5 Netherlands
7.3.6 Norway
7.3.7 Sweden
7.3.8 United Kingdom
7.4 Asia Pacific
7.4.1 Australia
7.4.2 India
7.4.3 Japan
7.4.4 Singapore
7.4.5 South Korea
7.5 Middle East & Africa
7.5.1 Israel
8 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market to 2033 by Region
8.1 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market by Region overview
8.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market Region by Lifecycle phase overview
8.2.1 North America market by Lifecycle phase overview
8.2.2 Europe market by Lifecycle phase overview
8.2.3 Asia Pacific market by Lifecycle phase overview
8.2.4 Middle East & Africa market by Lifecycle phase overview
8.2.5 Latin America market by Lifecycle phase overview
8.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market Region by Size overview
8.3.1 North America market by Size overview
8.3.2 Europe market by Size overview
8.3.3 Asia Pacific market by Size overview
8.3.4 Middle East & Africa market by Size overview
8.3.5 Latin America market by Size overview
8.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market Region by Operation type overview
8.4.1 North America market by Operation type overview
8.4.2 Europe market by Operation type overview
8.4.3 Asia Pacific market by Operation type overview
8.4.4 Middle East & Africa market by Operation type overview
8.4.5 Latin America market by Operation type overview
9 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market to 2033 by Operation type
9.1 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market by Operation type overview
9.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market Operation type by Region overview
9.2.1 Remotely Operated Vehicle market by Region overview
9.2.2 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle market by Region overview
9.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market Operation type by Lifecycle phase overview
9.3.1 Remotely Operated Vehicle market by Lifecycle phase overview
9.3.2 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle market by Lifecycle phase overview
9.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market Operation type by Size overview
9.4.1 Remotely Operated Vehicle market by Size overview
9.4.2 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle market by Size overview
10 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market to 2033 by Size
10.1 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market by Size overview
10.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market Size by Region overview
10.2.1 Small UUV (< 25cm) market by Region overview
10.2.2 Medium UUV (26cm - 53cm) market by Region overview
10.2.3 Large UUV (54cm - 210cm) market by Region overview
10.2.4 Extra Large UUV (>210cm) market by Region overview
10.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market Size by Lifecycle phase overview
10.3.1 Small UUV (< 25cm) market by Lifecycle phase overview
10.3.2 Medium UUV (26cm - 53cm) market by Lifecycle phase overview
10.3.3 Large UUV (54cm - 210cm) market by Lifecycle phase overview
10.3.4 Extra Large UUV (>210cm) market by Lifecycle phase overview
10.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market Size by Operation type overview
10.4.1 Small UUV (< 25cm) market by Operation type overview
10.4.2 Medium UUV (26cm - 53cm) market by Operation type overview
10.4.3 Large UUV (54cm - 210cm) market by Operation type overview
10.4.4 Extra Large UUV (>210cm) market by Operation type overview
11 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market to 2033 by Lifecycle phase
11.1 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market by Lifecycle phase overview
11.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market Lifecycle phase by Region overview
11.2.1 Development market by Region overview
11.2.2 Production market by Region overview
11.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market Lifecycle phase by Size overview
11.3.1 Development market by Size overview
11.3.2 Production market by Size overview
11.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market Lifecycle phase by Operation type overview
11.4.1 Development market by Operation type overview
11.4.2 Production market by Operation type overview
12 Opportunity Analysis
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Compound Growth Rates
12.2.1 Region
12.2.2 Lifecycle phase
12.2.3 Size
12.2.4 Operation type
12.3 Growth Scenario
12.3.1 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market summary by Region
12.3.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market summary by Lifecycle phase
12.3.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market summary by Operation type
12.3.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) market summary by Size
13 Companies
13.1 Anduril Industries
13.1.1 Introduction
13.1.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.1.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.1.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Contracts
13.1.5 SWOT Analysis
13.2 Aselsan A.S.
13.2.1 Introduction
13.2.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.2.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.3 Atlas Elektronik
13.3.1 Introduction
13.3.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.3.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.3.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Contracts
13.3.5 SWOT Analysis
13.4 BAE Systems Plc
13.4.1 Introduction
13.4.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.4.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.4.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Contracts
13.4.5 SWOT Analysis
13.5 BlueHalo
13.5.1 Introduction
13.5.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.5.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.5.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Contracts
13.5.5 SWOT Analysis
13.6 C2 Robotics
13.6.1 Introduction
13.6.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.6.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.6.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Contracts
13.6.5 SWOT Analysis
13.7 EUROATLAS GmbH
13.7.1 Introduction
13.7.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.7.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.8 Exail
13.8.1 Introduction
13.8.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.8.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.8.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Contracts
13.8.5 SWOT Analysis
13.9 Fincantieri
13.9.1 Introduction
13.9.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.9.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.10 General Atomics
13.10.1 Introduction
13.10.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.10.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.10.4 SWOT Analysis
13.11 General Dynamics Corporation
13.11.1 Introduction
13.11.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.11.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.11.4 SWOT Analysis
13.12 Hanwha Systems
13.12.1 Introduction
13.12.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.12.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.12.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Contracts
13.13 Havelsan
13.13.1 Introduction
13.13.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.13.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.14 Helsing
13.14.1 Introduction
13.14.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.14.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.15 Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)
13.15.1 Introduction
13.15.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.15.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.15.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Contracts
13.15.5 SWOT Analysis
13.16 Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
13.16.1 Introduction
13.16.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.16.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.16.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Contracts
13.16.5 SWOT Analysis
13.17 iXBlue
13.17.1 Introduction
13.17.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.17.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.18 Kongsberg
13.18.1 Introduction
13.18.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.18.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.19 Kraken Robotics Inc.
13.19.1 Introduction
13.19.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.19.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.20 L3Harris Technologies
13.20.1 Introduction
13.20.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.20.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.20.4 SWOT Analysis
13.21 Leidos
13.21.1 Introduction
13.21.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.21.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.21.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Contracts
13.21.5 SWOT Analysis
13.22 M Subs Ltd
13.22.1 Introduction
13.22.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.22.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.22.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Contracts
13.22.5 SWOT Analysis
13.23 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
13.23.1 Introduction
13.23.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.23.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.24 Naval Group
13.24.1 Introduction
13.24.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.24.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.24.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Contracts
13.24.5 SWOT Analysis
13.25 Navantia
13.25.1 Introduction
13.25.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.25.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.26 Northrop Grumman Corporation
13.26.1 Introduction
13.26.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.26.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.26.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Contracts
13.26.5 SWOT Analysis
13.27 Saab AB
13.27.1 Introduction
13.27.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.27.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.27.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Contracts
13.27.5 SWOT Analysis
13.28 SAIC
13.28.1 Introduction
13.28.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.28.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.29 Thales
13.29.1 Introduction
13.29.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.29.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.29.4 SWOT Analysis
13.30 The Boeing Company
13.30.1 Introduction
13.30.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.30.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.30.4 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Contracts
13.30.5 SWOT Analysis
13.31 ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems
13.31.1 Introduction
13.31.2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Products and Services
13.31.3 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) - Recent Developments
13.31.4 SWOT Analysis
14 Results and Conclusions
15 About Market Forecast
15.1 General
15.2 Contact us
15.3 Disclaimer
15.4 License
Appendix A: Companies Mentioned
Appendix B: Abbreviations
