Global Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market Size Study & Forecast, by Type, Application, Propulsion System and Regional Forecasts 2025-2035

The Global Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market is valued at approximately USD 2.23 billion in 2024 and is projected to surge at an impressive CAGR of 17.80% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2035. AUVs, lauded for their self-directed navigation and deep-sea endurance, have revolutionized subsea operations across various industries including defense, scientific exploration, and offshore energy. These intelligent marine robots are engineered to perform complex missions such as seabed mapping, pipeline inspections, and covert surveillance in some of the most inaccessible oceanic environments—without direct human intervention. The growing significance of marine autonomy, fueled by technological convergence in robotics, AI, and sensor fusion, has propelled the AUV market into a dynamic phase of growth.

The rising demand for sophisticated underwater surveillance and anti-submarine warfare operations among naval forces has significantly bolstered AUV deployment across the defense sector. Simultaneously, the oil & gas industry is leveraging AUVs to reduce operational costs and human risks while conducting geophysical surveys and infrastructure diagnostics in ultra-deep waters. Furthermore, scientific institutions and oceanographic agencies are increasingly incorporating AUVs to gather climate-critical data, biodiversity records, and tectonic movement analytics—thereby supporting environmental monitoring efforts. The integration of electric and hybrid propulsion systems, coupled with advanced navigation payloads like inertial systems and multi-beam sonars, is unlocking new frontiers of capability and reliability across use cases.

Regionally, North America leads the AUV market, backed by robust maritime defense budgets, significant offshore oil & gas activities, and the presence of leading defense and marine tech firms. The U.S. Navy's extensive R&D initiatives and continued investments in undersea dominance strategies are solidifying regional dominance. Europe follows closely, buoyed by marine research initiatives and sustainable energy exploration in the North Sea. Notably, countries such as Norway and the UK have emerged as major hubs for commercial and scientific AUV applications. Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific region is forecasted to experience the fastest growth owing to burgeoning marine defense expenditures in China, India, and South Korea, combined with increasing offshore energy investments and growing awareness of marine biodiversity conservation in regional waters.

Major market player included in this report are:
• Kongsberg Gruppen
• L3Harris Technologies Inc.
• Saab AB
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
• Boeing Company
• Bluefin Robotics
• Atlas Elektronik GmbH
• General Dynamics Mission Systems
• OceanServer Technology, Inc.
• ECA Group
• International Submarine Engineering (ISE) Ltd.
• BAE Systems plc
• Fugro N.V.
• Hydroid Inc.

Global Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market Report Scope:
• Historical Data – 2023, 2024
• Base Year for Estimation – 2024
• Forecast period – 2025-2035
• Report Coverage – Revenue forecast, Company Ranking, Competitive Landscape, Growth factors, and Trends
• Regional Scope – North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; Middle East & Africa

The objective of the study is to define market sizes of different segments & countries in recent years and to forecast the values for the coming years. The report is designed to incorporate both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the industry within the countries involved in the study. The report also provides detailed information about crucial aspects, such as driving factors and challenges, which will define the future growth of the market. Additionally, it incorporates potential opportunities in micro-markets for stakeholders to invest, along with a detailed analysis of the competitive landscape and product offerings of key players.

The detailed segments and sub-segments of the market are explained below:

By Type:
• Small
• Medium
• Large

By Application:
• Scientific Research
• Defense
• Oil & Gas Industry

By Propulsion System:
• Electric System
• Mechanical System
• Hybrid System

By Payload:
• Camera
• Sensors
• Inertial Navigation System
• Others

By Region:

North America
• U.S.
• Canada

Europe
• UK
• Germany
• France
• Spain
• Italy
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America
• Brazil
• Mexico

Middle East & Africa
• UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Rest of Middle East & Africa

Key Takeaways:
• Market Estimates & Forecast for 10 years from 2025 to 2035.
• Annualized revenues and regional level analysis for each market segment.
• Detailed analysis of geographical landscape with Country level analysis of major regions.
• Competitive landscape with information on major players in the market.
• Analysis of key business strategies and recommendations on future market approach.
• Analysis of competitive structure of the market.
• Demand side and supply side analysis of the market.

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Chapter 1. Global Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market Report Scope & Methodology
1.1. Research Objective
1.2. Research Methodology
1.2.1. Forecast Model
1.2.2. Desk Research
1.2.3. Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approach
1.3. Research Attributes
1.4. Scope of the Study
1.4.1. Market Definition
1.4.2. Market Segmentation
1.5. Research Assumption
1.5.1. Inclusion & Exclusion
1.5.2. Limitations
1.5.3. Years Considered for the Study
Chapter 2. Executive Summary
2.1. CEO/CXO Standpoint
2.2. Strategic Insights
2.3. ESG Analysis
2.4. Key Findings
Chapter 3. Global Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market Forces Analysis
3.1. Market Forces Shaping the Global AUV Market (2024–2035)
3.2. Drivers
3.2.1. Escalating Defense Modernization and Undersea Surveillance Requirements
3.2.2. Expanding Offshore Energy Exploration and Cost-Reduction Imperatives
3.3. Restraints
3.3.1. High Capital Expenditure and Total Cost of Ownership
3.3.2. Cybersecurity and Data Integrity Challenges in Autonomous Systems
3.4. Opportunities
3.4.1. Growth in Scientific and Environmental Monitoring Initiatives
3.4.2. Adoption of Hybrid Propulsion and Advanced Sensor Payloads
Chapter 4. Global Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Industry Analysis
4.1. Porter’s Five Forces Model
4.1.1. Bargaining Power of Buyers
4.1.2. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.1.3. Threat of New Entrants
4.1.4. Threat of Substitutes
4.1.5. Competitive Rivalry
4.2. Porter’s Five Forces Forecast Model (2024–2035)
4.3. PESTEL Analysis
4.3.1. Political
4.3.2. Economic
4.3.3. Social
4.3.4. Technological
4.3.5. Environmental
4.3.6. Legal
4.4. Top Investment Opportunities
4.5. Top Winning Strategies (2025)
4.6. Market Share Analysis (2024–2025)
4.7. Global Pricing Analysis and Trends 2025
4.8. Analyst Recommendation & Conclusion
Chapter 5. Global AUV Market Size & Forecasts by Type 2025–2035
5.1. Market Overview
5.2. Global AUV Market Performance – Potential Analysis (2025)
5.3. Small AUVs
5.3.1. Top Countries Breakdown Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
5.3.2. Market Size Analysis, by Region, 2025–2035
5.4. Medium AUVs
5.4.1. Top Countries Breakdown Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
5.4.2. Market Size Analysis, by Region, 2025–2035
5.5. Large AUVs
5.5.1. Top Countries Breakdown Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
5.5.2. Market Size Analysis, by Region, 2025–2035
Chapter 6. Global AUV Market Size & Forecasts by Application 2025–2035
6.1. Market Overview
6.2. Global AUV Market Performance – Potential Analysis (2025)
6.3. Scientific Research
6.3.1. Top Countries Breakdown Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
6.3.2. Market Size Analysis, by Region, 2025–2035
6.4. Defense
6.4.1. Top Countries Breakdown Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
6.4.2. Market Size Analysis, by Region, 2025–2035
6.5. Oil & Gas Industry
6.5.1. Top Countries Breakdown Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
6.5.2. Market Size Analysis, by Region, 2025–2035
Chapter 7. Global AUV Market Size & Forecasts by Region 2025–2035
7.1. AUV Market, Regional Market Snapshot
7.2. Top Leading & Emerging Countries
7.3. North America AUV Market
7.3.1. U.S. AUV Market
7.3.1.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.3.1.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.3.2. Canada AUV Market
7.3.2.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.3.2.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.4. Europe AUV Market
7.4.1. UK AUV Market
7.4.1.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.4.1.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.4.2. Germany AUV Market
7.4.2.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.4.2.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.4.3. France AUV Market
7.4.3.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.4.3.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.4.4. Spain AUV Market
7.4.4.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.4.4.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.4.5. Italy AUV Market
7.4.5.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.4.5.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.4.6. Rest of Europe AUV Market
7.4.6.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.4.6.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.5. Asia Pacific AUV Market
7.5.1. China AUV Market
7.5.1.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.5.1.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.5.2. India AUV Market
7.5.2.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.5.2.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.5.3. Japan AUV Market
7.5.3.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.5.3.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.5.4. Australia AUV Market
7.5.4.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.5.4.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.5.5. South Korea AUV Market
7.5.5.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.5.5.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.5.6. Rest of Asia Pacific AUV Market
7.5.6.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.5.6.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.6. Latin America AUV Market
7.6.1. Brazil AUV Market
7.6.1.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.6.1.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.6.2. Mexico AUV Market
7.6.2.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.6.2.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.7. Middle East & Africa AUV Market
7.7.1. UAE AUV Market
7.7.1.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.7.1.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.7.2. Saudi Arabia AUV Market
7.7.2.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.7.2.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.7.3. South Africa AUV Market
7.7.3.1. Type Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
7.7.3.2. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025–2035
Chapter 8. Competitive Intelligence
8.1. Top Market Strategies
8.2. Kongsberg Gruppen
8.2.1. Company Overview
8.2.2. Key Executives
8.2.3. Company Snapshot
8.2.4. Financial Performance (Subject to Data Availability)
8.2.5. Product/Services Portfolio
8.2.6. Recent Development
8.2.7. Market Strategies
8.2.8. SWOT Analysis
8.3. L3Harris Technologies Inc.
8.4. Saab AB
8.5. Lockheed Martin Corporation
8.6. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
8.7. Boeing Company
8.8. Bluefin Robotics
8.9. Atlas Elektronik GmbH
8.10. General Dynamics Mission Systems
8.11. OceanServer Technology, Inc.
List of Tables
Table 1. Global AUV Market, Report Scope
Table 2. Global AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts By Region 2024–2035
Table 3. Global AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts By Type 2024–2035
Table 4. Global AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts By Application 2024–2035
Table 5. Global AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts By Propulsion System 2024–2035
Table 6. Global AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts By Payload 2024–2035
Table 7. U.S. AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
Table 8. Canada AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
Table 9. UK AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
Table 10. Germany AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
Table 11. France AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
Table 12. Spain AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
Table 13. Italy AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
Table 14. Rest of Europe AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
Table 15. China AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
Table 16. India AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
Table 17. Japan AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
Table 18. Australia AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
Table 19. South Korea AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
Table 20. Brazil AUV Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2024–2035
List of Figures
Figure 1. Global AUV Market, Research Methodology
Figure 2. Global AUV Market, Market Estimation Techniques
Figure 3. Global Market Size Estimates & Forecast Methods
Figure 4. Global AUV Market, Key Trends 2025
Figure 5. Global AUV Market, Growth Prospects 2024–2035
Figure 6. Global AUV Market, Porter’s Five Forces Model
Figure 7. Global AUV Market, PESTEL Analysis
Figure 8. Global AUV Market, Value Chain Analysis
Figure 9. AUV Market By Type, 2025 & 2035
Figure 10. AUV Market By Application, 2025 & 2035
Figure 11. AUV Market By Propulsion System, 2025 & 2035
Figure 12. AUV Market By Payload, 2025 & 2035
Figure 13. North America AUV Market, 2025 & 2035
Figure 14. Europe AUV Market, 2025 & 2035
Figure 15. Asia Pacific AUV Market, 2025 & 2035
Figure 16. Latin America AUV Market, 2025 & 2035
Figure 17. Middle East & Africa AUV Market, 2025 & 2035
Figure 18. Global AUV Market, Company Market Share Analysis (2025)

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