세계의 수중전 시장 규모는 2024년 44억 5,000만 달러에서 2032년에 83억 1,000만 달러에 달할 것으로 예측되며, 2025-2032년의 예측 기간에 CAGR로 8.12%의 성장이 전망됩니다. 이 시장은 첨단 해상 방어 능력에 대한 수요가 증가함에 따라 빠르게 발전하고 있습니다. 현대의 해군 함대는 전자전, 무인 잠수함, 스텔스 대응 잠수함과 함께 소나를 포함한 시스템에 대한 각국의 투자를 받고 있습니다.
주요 목적은 감지 시스템, 감시 시스템, 수중의 새로운 위험과 싸우기 위한 방어 시스템을 개선하는 것입니다. 수중전 전략은 자율 시스템, 실시간 데이터 처리, AI 통합의 기술 발전으로 변화하고 있습니다. 시장은 현재 수중 자산을 육상 및 항공 플랫폼과 통합하여 다지역 작전 프레임워크를 구축하는 추세가 확대되고 있습니다. 전략적 파트너십과 국방 업그레이드 구상, 해양 안보의 중요성은 이 복잡하고 역동적인 분야에서 지속적인 발전을 유지하고 있습니다.
예를 들어 2024년 11월 Thales S.A.(Thales Group)가 주도하는 SEACURE 프로젝트가 35개 유럽 파트너를 통해 자율적인 대잠수함 시스템 및 해저전 시스템을 개발하는 SEACURE 프로젝트가 발족했습니다. 이 구상은 주권을 가진 통합적인 해상 방어 능력을 추진함으로써 유럽의 수중전 시장을 촉진하기 위한 것입니다.
세계의 수중전 시장에 대해 조사분석했으며, 시장 규모와 예측, 시장 역학, 주요 기업의 상황 등을 제공하고 있습니다.
Global underwater warfare market is projected to witness a CAGR of 8.12% during the forecast period 2025-2032, growing from USD 4.45 billion in 2024 to USD 8.31 billion in 2032. The underwater warfare market is evolving rapidly, driven by the increasing need for advanced maritime defense capabilities. Modern naval fleets receive investments from nations for systems that include sonar, together with electronic warfare and unmanned underwater vehicles, and stealth-enabled submarines.
The main objective is on improving detection systems and surveillance systems, and countermeasure systems to fight new underwater dangers. Underwater combat strategies undergo transformation due to technological progress in autonomous systems and real-time data processing, and AI integration. The market now demonstrates a growing trend of integrating underwater assets with surface and aerial platforms to create a multi-domain operational framework. Strategic partnerships, together with defense upgrade initiatives and maritime security priorities, maintain continuous development within this intricate and dynamic area.
For instance, in November 2024, Thales S.A. (Thales Group)-led SEACURE project, through 35 European partners, who develop autonomous anti-submarine and seabed warfare systems, were launched. This initiative boosts Europe's underwater warfare market by advancing sovereign, integrated maritime defense capabilities.
Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Pump the Underwater Warfare Market Growth
The underwater warfare environment transforms due to unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) that enhance surveillance and reconnaissance operations as well as mine countermeasure functions. These vehicles function independently or through remote control in dangerous settings to protect human operators while delivering greater mission performance. Defense modernization drives market growth, together with sensor and propulsion technology progress, and increasing maritime security threats. UUVs maintain increasing deployment in intelligence collection missions and anti-submarine warfare operations while supporting strategic deterrence functions. The naval forces show increasing adoption of both remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The strategic investments for undersea control have made UUVs into vital tools that shape contemporary naval operational frameworks and underwater combat approaches.
For instance, in January 2025, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. secured a USD 31.9 million contract for building Lionfish unmanned underwater vehicles which will serve U.S. Navy counter-mine warfare missions and undersea surveys. The growing underwater warfare market receives investment due to advanced UUV technology, which drives increasing demand.
Maritime Security Fuels the Underwater Warfare Market Growth
The underwater warfare market is expanding rapidly due to the growing emphasis on maritime security and national defense. Underwater warfare market expansion occurs due to the rising focus on both national defense and maritime security. Many countries now put territorial waters and essential infrastructure protection first, which drives market growth for modern defense equipment such as submarines and sonar systems and torpedoes, and unmanned underwater vehicles. Naval forces receive major performance upgrades due to technological advances in artificial intelligence and automation, and robotics, which help them detect and respond to threats intelligently. National governments throughout the world are increasing their investments in cutting-edge underwater platforms due to global naval modernization trends. Market growth receives support from both international defense organizations and shared development projects. Strategic interests need protection from underwater threats that require intelligent technological integration into maritime defense operations.
For instance, in June 2025, the six Type 212A submarines operated by Germany will receive modernization services through ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH at a contract value of USD 987 million which improves onboard systems for advanced undersea warfare. Modernization effort enhances maritime security while driving expansion in the worldwide underwater warfare industry during increased geopolitical instability.
Submarines Dominate the Underwater Warfare Market
Submarines have established themselves as the dominant underwater warfare platforms that shape worldwide naval strategic planning. The combination of their low visibility and operational flexibility, together with advanced intelligence collection abilities and exact strike abilities, transforms nations defending their maritime territories. Modern submarines operate with enhanced capabilities through improved propulsion technology alongside advanced sonar systems and integrated weapon systems, which boost their autonomy and combat effectiveness. The operation of unmanned and manned submarines now constitutes an essential element of contemporary naval forces because nations dedicate their defense development efforts to submarine capabilities. Underwater domain expansion has created an increased necessity for submarine forces to preserve strategic depth and deterrence capabilities. The development of naval forces depends on submarines, which continue to determine future combat preparedness.
For instance, in March 2025, the Indian company Sagar Defence Engineering Private Limited partnered with US-based Liquid Robotics, Inc. through an MoU to jointly develop autonomous anti-submarine warfare systems for India's maritime defense. Submarines currently lead the underwater warfare sector which pushes nations to modernize and develop new technological solutions.
North America Dominates the Global Underwater Warfare Market
North America leads the worldwide underwater warfare industry due to its powerful naval forces and modern defense facilities, and steady maritime security funding. The area's strategic development of submarine fleets and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), and sonar systems strengthen its underwater warfare dominance. The region strengthens its market dominance through NATO partnership agreements and steady defense procurement initiatives. The U.S. Navy drives innovation and operational preparedness through its concentration on advanced technologies which include autonomous systems and undersea surveillance. The defense industry in North America leads through its major contractors to advance underwater warfare technology and shape worldwide defense operations.
For instance, in March 2025, the US Navy granted Northrop Grumman a USD 24.9 million contract, which a duration of 60 months for an autonomous undersea sensing project to enhance threat detection through advanced sonar and AI algorithms. The underwater warfare market demonstrates its transition towards autonomous high-tech solutions through this development.
Impact of U.S. Tariffs on the Global Underwater Warfare Market
The United States government-imposed tariffs on imported electronic components and composite materials, together with subsea sensors, which increase manufacturing expenses for underwater warfare products across defense and commercial operations.
Manufacturers are implementing strategies to manage rising import expenses by choosing domestic suppliers, which protect their profit margins from foreign supplier tariffs.
The implementation of tariffs on essential components has made operators postpone their equipment upgrades. OEMs responded by developing retrofit kits that work with suppliers based in the region to maintain operational capability.
The tariffs drive the industry toward domestic or tariff-exempt suppliers, although this process will create project hold-ups and greater startup expenses due to restricted local manufacturing capabilities and supply chain modifications.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
Underwater warfare market development occurs rapidly due to growing global political tensions and naval forces updating their systems, together with new technological advancements. Maritime defense capabilities receive focus from the main players through the development of advanced systems, including sonar and unmanned underwater vehicles, and electronic warfare tools. The market outlook develops from rising investment in autonomous systems combined with artificial intelligence implementation and operations across multiple domains. The market sees rising demand for solutions that provide surveillance capabilities, together with threat detection abilities and undersea combat functionality. Strategic opportunities have emerged from environmental monitoring technologies together with dual-use capabilities. Strategic collaborations, together with regional defense initiatives, form the essential foundation for the sector's continuous growth.
For instance, in November 2024, BAE Systems Plc introduced "Herne" as the first extra-large autonomous military submarine in the United Kingdom, which performs infrastructure defense duties and anti-submarine operations, and secret underwater surveillance. The new underwater warfare technology boosts the market through affordable unmanned vessels, which provide versatile operational capabilities.
All segments will be provided for all regions and countries covered
Companies mentioned above DO NOT hold any order as per market share and can be changed as per information available during research work.