UK-based international data analytics, solutions and consultancy company GlobalData has reported that the worldwide market for uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) will more than double over the next ten years. The profile of USVs has been hugely boosted by Ukraine’s very successful use of such vessels against the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet during the current war.

The global USV market was worth $1.1-billion this year, reported GlobalData. The company forecasts that it will be worth $2.5-billion by 2034, and by that date more than 40 countries will operate such systems. Between next year and 2029, the USV market is expected to show a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%, a figure GlobalData described as “staggering”, as navies move to adopt the technology.

“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, especially in the South China Sea and Black Sea,” highlighted GlobalData aerospace & defence analyst Fox Walker. “The success of the [Ukrainian] Magura V5 [USV] and the retreat of the Russian Black Sea Fleet highlight the growing role of [uncrewed] vehicles in the future of warfare.”

Perhaps surprisingly, the current leader regarding investments in USVs is Türkiye, which is committing $214.1-million to the technology this year. In comparison, US spending on USVs this year will amount to $176-million. But, while Turkish spending on USVs is expected to increase by more than 100% by 2034, to $459.9-million, American spending will nearly triple over the same period, to $469.3-million. Other leading participants in the sector are China, France, South Korea and Russia.

“Although [Türkiye] will continue to be a major player in the USV market, the US is focused on modernising its navy to remain competitive with China,” he observed. “To be sure, the Black Sea is an important geographic area for USV development, yet such drones will become increasingly important for countries focused on the Indo-Pacific region. The development of larger, more versatile USV platforms has become both an economic and strategic imperative for the US Navy as it continues its strategic competition with Russia and China.”

Although attack USVs have garnered a lot of attention, because of their combat use in the Black Sea, USVs are also used in mine countermeasures, oceanographic research and surveillance roles. USVs make use of, and are dependent on, other advanced technologies, such as AI (to permit autonomy), sensors, and communications systems.