Global Sonobuoy Market Insights Forecasts to 2033

• The Global Sonobuoy Market Size was Valued at USD 495.62 Million in 2023
• The Market Size is Growing at a CAGR of 5.04% from 2023 to 2033
• The Worldwide Sonobuoy Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 810.45 Million by 2033
• Europe is Expected to Grow the fastest during the forecast period.

The Sonobuoy Market Size is Anticipated to Exceed USD 810.45 Million by 2033, Growing at a CAGR of 5.04% from 2023 to 2033.

Market Overview

Sonobuoy is a small, self-contained package that is frequently launched from ships, aeroplanes, or submarines. It has multiple sensors and is a flotation device. After being submerged in water, the sonobuoy floats and uses sound waves it detects and analyses to communicate. Due to the growing need for maritime security and better anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, the sonobuoy market is expanding significantly. A sonobuoy is a specialized instrument used in underwater acoustics that gathers information about the ocean environment and locates submerged objects, including submarines or marine life. combining the terms "buoy," which refers to a floating item used for a variety of purposes, with "sonar," which stands for Sound Navigation and Ranging, to create the term "sonobuoy." The advancements are making sonobuoy more dependable and effective, which is speeding up their employment in military and scientific applications. Because of the growth of global trade and the strategic significance of sea routes, maintaining maritime security has emerged as a major concern for many countries. Sonobuoy are in more demand since they are necessary for spotting illegal activities, monitoring and protecting coastal waterways, and protecting national interests.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the sonobuoy market based on various segments and regions forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the sonobuoy market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the sonobuoy market.

Driving Factors

The need for cutting-edge military technology and geopolitical instability has led to an increase in global defense spending. Sonobuoy is an essential part of anti-submarine warfare systems, and as defense budgets rise, the market is expected to grow. Sonobuoy is highly valued because it offers real-time underwater acoustic intelligence and is necessary for anti-submarine warfare operations. The features of Sonobuoy technology have been upgraded with increased sensitivity, longer detection ranges, and better data processing. Sonobuoys are very helpful in identifying enemy submarines by listening to the noise made by their propellers, giving the naval forces access to real-time intelligence. As a result, it is anticipated that the growing number of sophisticated sonobuoys purchased by naval forces and their efforts in enhancing their infrastructure will propel this market's expansion.

Restraining Factors

The installation and upgrading of sonobuoys were part of military programmers that the naval forces put on hold. Additionally, the market's growth was hindered by a fall in oil and gas exploration activities, which decreased the demand for sonobuoys.

Market Segmentation

The Sonobuoy market share is classified into type, deployment, and application.

• The active segment is expected to hold the largest share of the sonobuoy market during the forecast period.   

Based on the type, the sonobuoy market is categorized into active, and passive. Among these, the active segment is expected to hold the largest share of the sonobuoy market during the forecast period. Active sonobuoys are excellent for anti-submarine warfare and underwater surveillance operations because they release sound waves into the water and then analyses the returning echoes to detect and track underwater targets. Active sonobuoys, which are outfitted with advanced acoustic sensors and signal processing algorithms, can precisely identify and categories marine mammals, surface ships, and submarines. This allows the naval forces to have actionable intelligence and situational awareness in real-time when operating in maritime situations. Furthermore, active sonobuoys can be placed in both shallow and deep waters, providing a variety of deployment choices for commercial, military, and scientific applications that need to be able to identify and track underwater objects.

• The pneumatic segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.   

Based on the deployment, the sonobuoy market is categorized into spring, pneumatic, free fall, and cartridge. Among these, the pneumatic segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. For pneumatic sonobuoys to stay afloat on the water's surface, buoyancy is essential. They are made to endure harsh marine environments by having sensors and flotation devices enclosed in a protective case. Hydrophones, or acoustic sensors, are a feature of pneumatic sonobuoys that enable them to sense sounds from below. They can monitor a wide range of sound frequencies, including those emitted by ships, submarines, marine mammals, and as was previously mentioned potential volcanic activity.

• The monitor underwater volcanic activity segment is expected to hold a significant share of the sonobuoy market during the forecast period.

Based on the application, the sonobuoy market is categorized into water temperature, wave height, research, monitor underwater volcanic activity, bathythermograph or salinity reading, and others. Among these, the monitor underwater volcanic activity segment is expected to hold a significant share of the sonobuoy market during the forecast period. Sonobuoys maintain a watch on the undersea environment all the time. In addition to possibly transmitting additional environmental indicators like water temperature, pressure, and conductivity, they can communicate real-time data, including sound recordings. Sonobuoys are useful for monitoring far-flung and deep-sea volcanic regions where it is difficult for humans to conduct direct observation since they can run on their own for extended periods.

Regional Segment Analysis of the Global Sonobuoy Market

• North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) 
• Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)
• South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America) 
• The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

North America is projected to hold the largest share of the sonobuoy market over the forecast period.

North America is projected to hold the largest share of the sonobuoy market over the forecast period. The primary causes of this growth are the United States Department of Defense's (DoD) large defense spending and the US Navy's growing sonobuoy acquisition. The United States allocated a budget of USD 801 billion for defense in 2021, making it the highest defense spender in the world. The creation and implementation of cutting-edge sonobuoy systems is a top priority for the navies of North America to preserve maritime domain awareness, safeguard vital sea lanes, and combat new threats including the growth of submarines, illegal trade, and maritime terrorism.

Europe is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR growth of the sonobuoy market during the forecast period. Europe uses its defense businesses and technological know-how to work together on cooperative defense projects and procurement initiatives to improve maritime surveillance capabilities. Furthermore, motivated by territorial disputes, competition for maritime resources, and worries about regional security, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) invests in sonobuoy systems and anti-submarine warfare capabilities to strengthen their maritime security posture. With a combination of national and international cooperation to handle changing maritime threats and operational needs, the European and CIS region continues to be a major market for sonobuoy makers.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the sonobuoy market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• General Atomic Aeronautical Systems
• Radixon Group Pty Ltd
• Sealandaire Technologies Inc.
• Sparton Corporation
• Tata Advanced Systems
• Thales Group
• Aselan
• Sigma Pi-Power sources Pvt Ltd
• Others

Key Market Developments

• On March 2024, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems tested a MQ-9B Sea Guardian remote-controlled aerial system with its Sonobuoy Dispensing System (SDS). By evaluating the SDS's capacity to use sonobuoys for underwater surveillance, these trials marked a substantial improvement in capabilities for anti-submarine warfare and maritime security.

• In June 2022, RDA was chosen by the Navy to create a digital signal processing test and measurement system for anti-submarine warfare. The Navy's P-8A Poseidon ASW and maritime patrol aircraft were equipped with LCAP, an ASW acoustic test and measurement system, which functioned as a roll-on/roll-off device to enhance surveillance capabilities.

• In November 2022, Ultra Maritime, which was selected through the Department of National Defense's (DND) Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) programme, and UMS SKELDAR engaged into a collaboration agreement. The partnership's goal is to look into how the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) might use the SKELDAR V-200 Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) to build an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) sonobuoy dispensing capability.

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting And Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2033. Spherical Insights has segmented the global sonobuoy market based on the below-mentioned segments: 

Global Sonobuoy Market, By Type

• Active
• Passive

Global Sonobuoy Market, By Deployment

• Spring
• Pneumatic
• Free fall
• Cartridge

Global Sonobuoy Market, By Application

• Water Temperature
• Wave Height
• Research
• Monitor Underwater Volcanic Activity
• Bathythermograph or Salinity Reading
• Others

Global Sonobuoy Market, By Regional

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa