Global Underwater Drone Market Assessment, By Type [Remotely Operated Vehicles, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, Hybrid Underwater Drones], By Application [Military Surveillance, Oceanographic Research, Pipeline Inspection], By End-user [Defense Forces, Re

Global underwater drone market is projected to witness a CAGR of 8.12% during the forecast period 2025-2032, growing from USD 4.75 billion in 2024 to USD 8.87 billion in 2032. Technological progress in underwater exploration, together with the expansion of commercial and defense applications, has caused the underwater drone industry to grow at an accelerated pace. ROVs and AUVs make up the drone categories, which operate in ocean exploration missions and perform surveillance tasks and environmental monitoring and infrastructure inspections. The defense sector leads to market growth due to governments' purchase of underwater drones to conduct reconnaissance missions alongside security operations.

Underwater drones serve industries that include oil and gas and aquaculture, and deep-sea mining to enhance operational safety and efficiency. Asia-Pacific leads the market due to its fast growth resulting from rising defense and marine research, together with commercial usage funding. The industry will evolve due to upcoming regulations, together with environmental challenges.

For instance, in December 2024, the United States underwater drone market received the Dive-XL autonomous submarine through its presentation by Anduril Industries, Inc. In addition, Anduril Industries demonstrated its autonomous sub through a successful 100-hour mission, which shows its plans to extend operational endurance for scalable underwater solutions.

Technological Advancement Pumps the Global Underwater Drone Market Growth

The underwater drone market is experiencing rapid growth due to AI and machine learning developments. The technologies improve autonomous functions so drones can operate efficiently through challenging underwater conditions. The combination of AI systems enables real-time data processing alongside adaptive mission planning and enhanced object recognition, which makes drones essential for defense applications and marine research, as well as offshore operations. Machine learning algorithms enable drones to analyze oceanic patterns, which allows them to adjust their flight paths automatically. Underwater drone technology advances will create revolutionary devices that provide advanced surveillance features, together with environmental observation and deep-sea investigation functions.

For instance, in May 2024, Kraken Robotics and BlueHalo, LLC formed a partnership to implement AI and machine learning technology in surface and submarine drones. The technological breakthrough stimulates innovation, which boosts autonomous capabilities and supports the fast expansion of underwater drones.

Defense and Security Application Drives the Underwater Drone Market Demand

Underwater drone market growth occurs due to defense organizations increasing their use of these vehicles for security purposes. Underwater surveillance and reconnaissance technologies receive greater investment due to rising geopolitical tensions combined with maritime security threats. Drones used in naval operations improve border surveillance and maritime surveillance capabilities while detecting potential dangers, so they become vital equipment. Imagining technological advances, together with battery systems and artificial intelligence, drive continuous improvements in drone performance capabilities. The underwater drone’s function within multiple commercial sectors through their usage for oil and gas exploration and environmental monitoring, and infrastructure inspections, which increases their market potential. The implementation of modern technology alongside affordable solutions generates fresh market prospects that will drive continuous industry growth.

For example, in February 2025, the strategic partnership between Mahindra & Mahindra Limited and Anduril Industries, Inc. focused on creating sophisticated autonomous and counter-drone technology systems. The collaborative effort from these companies advances technology while speeding up the underwater drone market expansion through AI-powered modular maritime solutions.

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Dominate the Global Underwater Drone Market Share

The underwater drone market undergoes a fundamental transition due to autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) delivering both efficient and precise operations throughout various industrial sectors. These autonomous unmanned vehicles perform widespread missions across oceanographic research environments while serving defense operations and offshore energy exploration, along with environmental monitoring activities. Deep-sea operations achieve better data collection and operational performance through their human-free navigation capabilities. The adoption of these systems depends on artificial intelligence developments and battery innovations alongside sensor integration, which makes them essential for underwater mapping and surveillance and infrastructure inspection purposes. The growing reliance on automation by industries leads AUVs to establish the future of underwater exploration through their inexpensive, dependable solutions for challenging marine operations.

For instance, in April 2025, Anduril Industries, Inc. revealed the Copperhead series of fast-paced autonomous underwater vehicles which serve both military and commercial functions. These advanced AUVs drive innovation and fuel growth in the underwater drone market with scalable, cost-effective, and rapidly deployable solutions.

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Underwater Drone Market Size

The underwater drone market finds its primary leader in Asia-Pacific due to its important naval interests and rising defense spending alongside growing commercial uses. The region's countries focus on underwater security, which leads to increased use of modern drone technologies. The underwater drone market grows due to oil and gas companies and aquaculture operators, and environmental monitoring organizations use these devices to enhance operational efficiency at lower costs. Advanced technological developments, including artificial intelligence navigation and better battery performance, make underwater drones more capable. The region maintains its global leadership position in underwater drone manufacturing due to its robust production network, together with government initiatives that boost innovation.

For instance, in August 2024, Underwater drone developer EyeROV (IROV Technologies Pvt Ltd) raised USD 1.17 million, reinforcing its leadership in marine technology. This funding highlights Asia-Pacific’s growing dominance in the underwater drone market, fueled by innovation and expanding industrial demand.

Impact of U.S. Tariffs on the Global Underwater Drone Market

• The increased costs of imported components, such as batteries and sensors, due to tariffs have forced manufacturers to raise drone prices.
• U.S. manufacturers are seeking alternative suppliers and local production to reduce dependency on Chinese imports.
• The raised expenses could restrict smaller companies from purchasing drones at reasonable prices, which might decrease their adoption rate in commercial operations.
• The strong market demand for drone technology continues due to surveillance missions, alongside environmental observation tasks and defense operations, require their use, even though tariffs present difficulties.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

The underwater drone market continues to progress due to expanding uses in marine science research and defense operations and oil and gas field assessment, and environmental observation. Organizations push forward technological development by investing in autonomous systems and creating strategic alliances that enhance operational efficiency through improved reliability. AI, together with IoT and sensor technologies, is advancing the industry, so drones now achieve better precision when conducting deep-sea exploration and infrastructure inspections. The market shows increasing interest in remote surveillance, together with underwater mapping and security operations, which drives companies to create smarter, adaptable solutions. The ongoing technological progress makes underwater drones essential for multiple industries, which leads to fundamental changes in underwater exploration and monitoring practices.

For instance, in December 2023, Saab AB delivered its Double Eagle underwater mine disposal drone to the Kuwait Naval Force, which strengthens its mine countermeasure capabilities. The USD 16 million agreement demonstrates strong worldwide market interest and moves forward the underwater drone industry with tested, adaptable maritime solutions and fast deployment capabilities.