AUV Market to Hit $10.94B by 2031 as Defense Demand Climbs
Delray Beach – October 15, 2026 -- The autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) market will grow from USD 3.67 billion in 2026 to USD 10.94 billion by 2031, a compound annual growth rate of 24.4%, according to MarketsandMarkets. Unit volumes are forecast to rise from 1,123 in 2026 to 2,771 by 2031.
Large AUVs deployed beyond 1,000 meters lead segment growth at 25.1% CAGR
Large AUVs (>1,000 meters) are expected to record the highest CAGR of 25.1% and to dominate the market by type. Demand comes from deep-sea exploration, subsea cable route mapping and complex military missions requiring long-duration operations beyond 1,000 meters.
Large platforms offer greater payload capacity, advanced sonar systems and extended endurance. That makes them suited to mine countermeasures, environmental monitoring and geophysical surveys.