Underwater Drone Statistics and Facts (2025)

Introduction

Underwater Drone Statistics: Underwater drones, like Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), are high-tech tools used for various tasks beneath the water’s surface. ROVs are connected to a boat by a cable and are used for real-time inspections and operations. AUVs, however, work on their own and carry out pre-programmed missions. These drones have important parts, including a strong body, a motor for movement, sensors, cameras, communication tools, and a power source. They are used in fields like scientific research, industrial inspections, environmental monitoring, and defense.

Despite challenges like water pressure, limited communication, short battery life, and navigation difficulties, advanced technology helps to overcome these issues. In this article, we shall shed more light on underwater drone statistics.

Editor’s Choice

• The development of underwater drones, also known as uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs), began in the 1950s when the Office of Naval Research helped create one of the first UUVs, called the Special Purpose Underwater Research Vehicle (SPURV).
• In 2023, the global underwater drone market earned USD 4.4 billion. By 2032, the market is expected to grow to USD 12.2 billion. This includes ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) at USD 5.19 billion, AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) at USD 4.49 billion, and Hybrid Vehicles at USD 2.53 billion.
• When looking at the market by product type, “Heavy Work-Class” underwater drones are the most popular, holding a 38% market share, showing that there is strong demand for durable and high-capacity drones.
• The global market for Remote Drone Identification Systems is expected to grow to USD 1.25 billion by 2029.
• In 2023, Asia Pacific is expected to lead the global drone delivery market, with 39% of the total market share.
• In the U.S., drones weighing over 250 grams must be registered, and commercial drone operations require a Remote Pilot Certificate. There are also specific rules for flying drones, such as operating at night and flying over people.

Underwater Drones Market Size By Market.us

• The global underwater drone market was valued at USD 4.4 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 12.2 billion by 2032, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2032.
• North America has been the primary driver of market growth over time.
• Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (ROVs) are the fastest-growing segment in the market.
• The heavy work class segment leads the market growth in terms of product type.
• The electric system segment dominates the propulsion system analysis.
• The defense security sector has experienced significant expansion.
• An increase in underwater exploration and inspection activities is a major market driver.
• High costs present a significant barrier to market growth.
• The opportunity for rental and leasing services of underwater drones presents an exciting prospect.
• A challenge in the market is developing underwater drones with extended battery life.
• Key market players include ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GmbH, Blueye Robotics, Deep Ocean Engineering Inc., Deep Trekker Inc., General
• Dynamics Corporation, iBubble, Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Oceaneering International Inc., Saab Seaeye
• Limited, Teledyne Marine, and The Boeing Company.

Types of Underwater Drones

• Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs): ROVs are uncrewed underwater vehicles that are connected to a surface vessel by a cable. Operators on land control them, and they are commonly used for scientific research, offshore work, and underwater inspections.
• Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs): AUVs are self-driving underwater vehicles that work without being connected to a surface vessel. They follow pre-set instructions and are often used for ocean research, mapping the ocean floor, and environmental monitoring.
• Hybrid Vehicles: Certain underwater drones combine the features of both ROVs and AUVs. These hybrid vehicles can be controlled either remotely or autonomously, offering more flexibility for different tasks.

Underwater Drone Applications

• Scientific Research: Underwater drones are very important for studying marine life, oceans, and the Earth’s structure. They help scientists explore underwater environments, collect samples, and perform tests.
• Environmental Monitoring: These drones are used to check water quality, observe changes in sea life, and see how human activities affect marine ecosystems.
• Search and Rescue: Underwater drones help find and retrieve objects or people trapped underwater during rescue missions.
• Infrastructure Inspection: In industries like offshore oil and gas, drones are used to inspect underwater structures, pipelines, and equipment to ensure they are safe and functioning properly.
• Archaeological Exploration: Archaeologists use underwater drones to explore and record historical sites beneath the water, like shipwrecks and sunken artifacts.
• Mapping and Surveying: AUVs are equipped with sonar and other tools to create detailed maps of the ocean floor and underwater features.
• Commercial and Recreational Diving: Some underwater drones are designed for recreational use, allowing divers to explore and capture high-quality images of underwater places.
• Fishing: The fishing industry is increasingly using underwater drones to detect fish and improve fishing methods.

Underwater Drone Regional Statistics

(Source: thebusinessresearchcompany.com)

North America: Leading Region with 11.5% Growth

(Source: skyquestt.com)

• North America holds the largest share of the underwater drone market and is expected to grow at a rate of 11.5% annually.
• The main drivers for this growth are the increased use of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) for military upgrades.
• Additionally, the demand for underwater drones in the North American oil and gas industry for offshore drilling, inspections, and surveying oil reserves has contributed to the rising sales of these drones over the years.

Asia-Pacific: Fastest Growing Region

• Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region for underwater drones.
• China is using these drones for military purposes, including surveillance, better to understand other countries’ military activities and developments.
• In response, countries like India and Japan are developing and buying underwater drones to counter China’s growing influence and military presence.

Europe: Second Largest Market

• Europe is the second-largest market for underwater drones and is expected to reach USD 3.93 billion, growing at an annual rate of 12.2%.
• Countries like Germany, France, and the UK are increasing their use of underwater drones for military purposes, which is driving market growth in this region.

Recent Developments in Underwater Drone Statistics

Recent changes in the patrol underwater drone market show big progress in technology, new uses, and growing partnerships.

• Tech Improvements: Advances in self-navigation, sensor use, and communication systems are making patrol underwater drones more powerful and effective.
• More Investment: Both government bodies and private companies are putting more money into developing better underwater drones for various purposes.
• Regulation Updates: Governments are creating rules to ensure the safe use of underwater drones in different environments.
• More Collaboration: There are more partnerships between tech companies, research centers, and defense organizations, speeding up the development of these drones.
• Successful Tests: Many trials and real-life tests show that patrol underwater drones work well and are reliable.
• Business Growth: Underwater drones are being used more in industries like offshore oil and gas, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure checks, increasing their market demand.

These developments show that the patrol underwater drone market is growing quickly and has a lot of potential.

Drone Delivery Statistics

(Reference: scoop.market.us)

• The global drone delivery market has been growing steadily from 2021 to 2027.
• In 2021, the market made USD 1.26 billion, showing that drone delivery services were starting to gain interest and adoption.
• By 2022, revenue increased to USD 1.45 billion, reflecting continued growth and wider acceptance of drone technology in commercial deliveries.
• In 2023, the market grew further, reaching USD 1.68 billion.
• By 2027, the market is expected to grow significantly, with projected revenue hitting USD 4.35 billion.
• This growth is mainly driven by improvements in drone technology, more regulatory approvals, and an increasing number of businesses and consumers relying on drone delivery for quicker and more efficient services.

Rise in Demand For Defense and Security Underwater Drones.

• In recent years, militaries worldwide, including those in the U.S. and UK, have started using underwater drones for tasks like surveillance and inspections.
• For example, the U.S. Navy sees underwater drones as a crucial part of its defense strategy.

(Reference: scoop.market.us)

• A report from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) called “Autonomous Undersea Vehicle Requirement for 2025” explains that drones attached to submarines will help extend the range of a submarine’s weapons and sensors in the future.
• These uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) help build a network for underwater monitoring, research, and intelligence.
• They are especially useful for dangerous missions like countermeasures.
• As the military’s use of underwater drones increases, the global underwater drone market is expected to grow.

Benefits of Drones for Wastewater Inspections

Using drones for wastewater inspections brings many benefits, including better safety, more time-saving, and reduced costs. Here’s how drones improve wastewater inspections:

• Savings

Drones make inspections more efficient by eliminating the need for inspectors to enter sewer systems. This reduces personnel costs and leads to big savings. According to Péter Kövessi, former Director of Client Services at Flind (a company managing Barcelona’s sewer systems), drone inspections are twice as efficient as human inspections and 40% cheaper per meter. Drones can also replace expensive robotic tools, offering even more savings.

• Safety

Inspecting wastewater systems can be dangerous because inspectors must enter confined spaces, which come with risks like rushing water and harmful gases such as Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S). In some cases, inspectors need scuba gear and protective equipment to handle raw sewage. Drones can collect data without requiring inspectors to enter the sewer, making inspections safer.

• Data Localization

When using CCTV or robotics for inspections, it can be hard to pinpoint the exact location of problems. Identifying an issue is only half the job—inspectors also need to tell clients exactly where it is so that repairs can be made quickly. Drones like the Elios 3 help pinpoint defect locations with precise data down to 1 cm, making it easier to evaluate and fix issues.

• High-Quality Visual Data

Drones provide much clearer images and videos than CCTV or other robotic tools. The Elios 3, for example, has a 12MP camera and captures 4K video, allowing inspectors to conduct detailed remote inspections. It also has 10,000 lumens of light to illuminate dark areas, giving inspectors excellent visuals in low-light conditions. The camera and lighting are adjustable, offering even better control over the inspection process.

• Access

In some sewer systems, entry is impossible due to narrow spaces or the need to bypass water flows, making manual inspections expensive or unfeasible. Some robots also can’t fit due to their size. However, the Elios 3 can enter spaces as small as 50×50 cm through maintenance holes and small openings, allowing inspectors to get clear, stable data even when access is difficult.

• Extended Range

Traditional inspection methods, like floating cameras through maintenance holes, often face limitations in range. Drones like the Elios 3 can fly farther from the pilot with the help of a Range Extender, allowing inspections to be done more efficiently, even in long tunnels or areas with weak signals.

• Stability in High Flows

The Elios 3 drone remains stable even in strong water flows. For example, it has been used in a wastewater system with water moving at 26 feet per second (fast enough to create turbulence). Despite the rough conditions, the drone was still able to capture clear images and videos, eliminating the need for an inspector to enter the sewer.

• Reduced Emergency Response Time

Drones can significantly speed up emergency responses to sewer problems. They can be deployed quickly, unlike traditional methods that need more preparation. For instance, when a wastewater pipe broke during a storm in Barcelona, inspectors used an Elios drone to locate the damage and identify where repairs were needed quickly. This helped stop the sewage leak faster and prevented further damage.

In conclusion, using drones for wastewater inspections saves time and money and improves safety, making them an invaluable tool for modern sewer management.

Conclusion

To sum up, underwater drones are changing industries like wastewater inspection, marine research, and environmental monitoring. Their ability to reach tough areas, capture high-quality images, and work well in difficult conditions has made them essential.

As drone technology keeps improving, with better range, stability, and accuracy, underwater drones will become even more important, helping to improve safety, cut costs, and make operations more efficient across different industries. In this article, we have shed enough light on underwater drone statistics.