Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market Revenue to Attain USD 6.69 Bn by 2033
Published: 03 Dec 2025
Author: Precedence Research
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market Revenue and Trends 2025 to 2033
The global autonomous underwater vehicle market revenue is valued at USD 3.48 billion in 2025 and is expected to attain around USD 6.69 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 8.52 % during forecast period. This market is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by rising global capital expenditure on offshore oil and gas exploration.
What are the factors that have a significant contribution to the growth of the autonomous underwater vehicle market?
The increasing exploration of deep-sea resources and minerals, rising demand for oceanographic research and mapping, rising military expenditures, and rapid advancements in sensors and imaging technologies are the major drivers of the autonomous underwater vehicle markets rapid growth during the forecast period. The market’s growth is primarily supported by rising government investments in defense and military, which are anticipated to drive demand for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in various roles such as mine countermeasures, surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and persistent surveillance.
Segment Insights
- By type, the medium AUVs (up to 1,000 meters) segment accounted for the largest share in the autonomous underwater vehicle market in 2024, owing to its versatility in numerous applications such as offshore exploration, defense, and scientific research.
- By technology, the navigation segment held a dominant market share in 2024, owing to the rapid advancements in navigation systems. AUVs perform complex tasks such as precise positioning, mapping, and pre-planned route execution in underwater environments.
- By payload, the sensors segment captured the highest share of the autonomous underwater vehicle market in 2024, owing to rising demand for multi-parameter sensors to collect data across a variety of conditions in underwater environments.
- By application, the military and defence segment captured the highest market share in 2024. The increasing government spending on military and defence has significantly increased the demand for advanced naval technology, including AUVs. The torpedo design minimizes drag, increases speed, and is widely used across applications such as oceanographic research, defense operations, and underwater mapping.
Regional Insights
North America is the primary driver of the global autonomous underwater vehicle market. The region has a robust ecosystem of leading AUV manufacturers and research institutions, fuelled by increasing government funding and rapid technological innovation. The region's growth is attributed to a surge in defense spending, increased investment in oceanographic research, and the rapid expansion of the offshore oil and gas industry.
In July 2025, Kongsberg Discovery, a global leader in advanced robotics and sensor technology, announced plans to begin production of HUGIN, an autonomous underwater vehicle, in the U.S. This strategic decision reflects a commitment to supporting the growing demand for advanced subsea technology in the U.S. market.
Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand at the fastest CAGR in the market. The region’s fastest growth is driven by significant investment in oceanographic studies, a rising focus on climate change research, a supportive government framework for maritime technology, rising naval modernization, and increasing investments in maritime security. Countries like Japan, China, and India are the major contributors to the autonomous underwater vehicle market, owing to the expanding oil and gas industry increases the need for AUVs for inspecting and surveying underwater infrastructure.
In July 2025, Krishna Defence and Allied Industries Ltd (KDAIL) initiated the construction of India's largest and most advanced Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), named the Jalkapi Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV). This marks a significant milestone in India's indigenous defence technology. The Jalkapi XLUUV is designed by the Indian Navy's Directorate of Naval Design Submarine Design Group (DND-SDG) and is being jointly developed by KDAIL, Rekise Marine, and the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market Coverage
| Report Attribute | Key Statistics |
| Market Revenue in 2025 | USD 3.48 Billion |
| Market Revenue by 2033 | USD 6.69 Billion |
| CAGR from 2025 to 2033 | 8.52% |
| Quantitative Units | Revenue in USD million/billion, Volume in units |
| Largest Market | North America |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Regions Covered | North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa |
Recent Developments
- In November 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unveiled a new class of lightweight autonomous underwater vehicles that can be carried and deployed by personnel. The DRDO has developed lightweight autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) equipped with advanced sonar units and cameras.(Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com)
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