The uncrewed surface vessel (USV) market is on track for explosive growth, with projections indicating it will reach $2.5bn by 2034.
This surge is fuelled by recent advances in uncrewed maritime technology and evolving defence strategies, particularly highlighted by the Ukraine conflict’s impact on naval tactics.
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According to a recent report by GlobalData, the global unmanned surface vessel (USV) market is poised for expansion, with forecasted growth from $1.1bn in 2024 to $2.5bn by 2034. This increase reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% between 2025 and 2029, driven by heightened interest in unmanned maritime systems following their role in recent conflicts.
The Ukrainian campaign against the Russian Black Sea Fleet has exemplified the importance of USVs, showcasing their effectiveness in modern naval warfare. The conflict highlighted the capabilities of unmanned maritime technology such as the Magura V5, which has influenced naval strategies and operations. This has led to an uptick in global investments in USVs.
The Magura V5 has led to damage to Russian warships and prompted a partial withdrawal of the Russian Black Sea Fleet from Crimea.
Following the sinking of two major Russian naval vessels by Ukrainian maritime drones in February 2024, the Russian Ministry of Defence conducted training drills with its Pacific Fleet corvettes, including the Gromky and Hero of Russian Federation Altar Tsydenzhapov, to counter USVs at Peter the Great Bay.
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By GlobalDataThe drills, utilising AK-630M anti-aircraft systems, aimed to improve defence against USVs, which are seen as a growing threat due to their low cost and high explosive payloads.
Current market leaders include Turkey and the US, with the latter poised to nearly triple its investment from $176m to $469.3m by 2034. Turkey’s expenditure is also set to rise, though the US is expected to outpace it due to its focus on technological advancements and modernisation. Other players in the USV market include China, France, South Korea, and Russia, all of whom are ramping up their efforts to develop and deploy unmanned maritime systems.
The expansion of the USV market reflects shifts in military strategy. Countries are increasingly prioritising unmanned systems to enhance their naval capabilities. The Black Sea and Indo-Pacific regions are particularly notable areas for USV deployment.
Fox Walker, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, emphasises that the growth of the USV market highlights the evolving nature of naval warfare.
“The success of the Magura V5 and the retreat of the Russian Black Sea Fleet highlight the growing role of unmanned vehicles in the future of warfare,” Walker states.
“The rapidly expanding USV market underscores the focus of great and regional powers, who are working to safeguard their maritime interests and maintain a robust defence stance.”
As nations adapt to the evolving demands of maritime defence, the USV market is set to shape the future of naval warfare, driven by technological advancements and strategic imperatives.
