Underwater Global Positioning System (GPS) Market Report 2026

Underwater Global Positioning System (GPS) Market Overview

• Underwater Global Positioning System (GPS) market size has reached to $1.19 billion in 2025 • Expected to grow to $1.83 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% • Growth Driver: Increasing Investments In Oceanographic Research Fueling The Growth Of The Market Due To Rising Demand For Precise Underwater Navigation • Market Trend: Advancements In Autonomous Navigation Boost Precision And Efficiency For Subsea Vehicles • North America was the largest region in 2025 and Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region.

What Is Covered Under Underwater Global Positioning System (GPS) Market?

Underwater global positioning system (GPS) is a navigation and positioning technology designed to determine the location of objects or vehicles beneath the surface of water, where traditional satellite-based GPS signals cannot reach. These systems transmit sound waves between underwater transponders and receivers, allowing for accurate position triangulation. The main device types of underwater global positioning systems (GPS) are handheld global positioning system units, integrated systems, wearable devices, and robotic navigation systems. Handheld global positioning system units are portable devices that use satellite signals to determine and display a user's precise geographic location and are commonly used for navigation and outdoor activities. It uses various technologies, including acoustic global positioning systems (GPS), optical global positioning systems (GPS), radio frequency global positioning systems (GPS), and hybrid systems for varied applications, which include commercial diving, recreational diving, marine research, fisheries management, and search and rescue operations. It is provided through different distribution channels, including online retail, offline retail, and direct sales for various end users such as military and defense, commercial, aquaculture, and recreational users.

What Is The Underwater Global Positioning System (GPS) Market Growth Forecast?

The underwater global positioning system (gps) market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.83 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for autonomous underwater vehicle coordination and navigation, expansion of subsea infrastructure inspection and pipeline tracking services, adoption of advanced sonar integration and signal processing technologies, development of next-generation battery and power management systems for underwater gps, increased collaboration between manufacturers and maritime agencies for enhanced underwater positioning solutions. Major trends in the forecast period include enhanced underwater acoustic communication, multi-modal positioning integration, real-time underwater data analytics, expansion of subsea infrastructure inspection, growing demand for environmental monitoring.

Global Underwater Global Positioning System (GPS) Market Segmentation

1) By Device Type: Handheld Global Positioning System Units, Integrated Systems, Wearable Devices, Robotic Navigation Systems 2) By Technology: Acoustic Global Positioning System (GPS), Optical Global Positioning System (GPS), Radio Frequency Global Positioning System (GPS), Hybrid Systems 3) By Application: Commercial Diving, Recreational Diving, Marine Research, Fisheries Management, Search And Rescue Operations 4) By Distribution Channel: Online Retail, Offline Retail, Direct Sales 5) By End-User: Military And Defense, Commercial, Aquaculture, Recreational Users Subsegments: 1) By Handheld Global Positioning System Units: Single-Frequency Handheld Units, Multi-Frequency Handheld Units, Waterproof Handheld Units 2) By Integrated Systems: Fixed Integrated Systems, Modular Integrated Systems, Portable Integrated Systems 3) By Wearable Devices: Wrist-Worn Global Positioning System Devices, Helmet-Mounted Global Positioning System Devices, Clip-On Global Positioning System Devices 4) By Robotic Navigation Systems: Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Navigation, Remotely Operated Vehicles Navigation, Surface Vehicle Navigation Systems

What Is Driver Of The Underwater Global Positioning System (GPS) Market?

The increasing investments in oceanographic research are expected to propel the growth of the underwater global positioning system (GPS) market going forward. Oceanographic research involves the scientific study of the ocean, including marine ecosystems, seabed mapping, and underwater geological processes, which rely heavily on precise underwater navigation and positioning technologies. The rise in oceanographic research investments is due to the recognition of the ocean's critical role in regulating the Earth's climate, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining human livelihoods. Underwater global positioning systems play a vital role in oceanographic research by enabling accurate location tracking of submersibles, sensors, and research equipment in deep and shallow waters. For instance, in March 2023, according to the United States Department of the Navy, a US-based government department, in 2024, the Department of the Navy increased its Naval Innovative Science and Engineering funding from 2% to 3% of budgeted orders to boost research, technology, and workforce development efforts. Therefore, increasing investments in oceanographic research are driving the growth of the underwater global positioning system (GPS) industry.

Key Players In The Global Underwater Global Positioning System (GPS) Market

Major companies operating in the underwater global positioning system (gps) market are Kongsberg Maritime AS, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Garmin Ltd., Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, Ocean Infinity Group Limited, Sonardyne International Ltd., Advanced Navigation Pty Ltd., AML Oceanographic Ltd., Meitrack Group Ltd., ATrack Technology Inc., JASCO Applied Sciences Inc., Edgetech Instruments Inc., Okeanus Science & Technology LLC, Notilo Plus, Digital Matter Ltd., EvoLogics GmbH, Underwater Inspection Sonar (UWIS), Underwater Communication & Navigation Laboratory, Water Linked AS, Blueprint Subsea AS

Global Underwater Global Positioning System (GPS) Market Trends and Insights

Major companies operating in the underwater global positioning system (GPS) market are focusing on developing innovative products, such as compact autonomous GPS, to provide reliable and precise navigation solutions that enhance underwater exploration and operational efficiency. Compact autonomous GPS is a small, self-contained navigation system capable of determining its position without continuous external input. It integrates components such as a GPS receiver, onboard processor, and power supply within a compact unit. For instance, in April 2025, Teledyne Marine, a US-based company that provides marine technology solutions, launched Teledyne Compact Navigator, an ultra-compact autonomous integrated navigation system engineered for subsea and surface vehicles. This advanced system features phased array Doppler Velocity Log technology, ultra-low power consumption, depth ratings up to 4,000 meters, and a fully autonomous operational mode. It is ideal for applications like remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, and dynamic positioning in challenging marine conditions.

What Are Latest Mergers And Acquisitions In The Underwater Global Positioning System (GPS) Market? Nauticus Robotics Acquires 3D at Depth to Enhance Subsea Inspection Capabilities

In October 2023, Nauticus Robotics, a US-based provider of autonomous underwater vehicles and robotic systems for offshore data collection and intervention, acquired 3D at Depth for approximately $34 million in stock. This strategic acquisition aims to enhance Nauticus' autonomous underwater capabilities by integrating 3D at Depth's LiDAR inspection technology, thereby expanding its sensor suite and data analytics offerings for subsea operations. 3D at Depth is a Canada-based provider of commercial subsea laser LiDAR inspection and data services, specializing in underwater mapping and asset evaluation.

Regional Insights

North America was the largest region in the underwater global positioning system (GPS) market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in this market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in this market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

What Defines the Underwater Global Positioning System (GPS) Market?

The underwater global positioning system (GPS) market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as subsea infrastructure inspection, pipeline and cable tracking, underwater archaeology and site mapping, autonomous underwater vehicle coordination, and port security and harbor surveillance. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The underwater global positioning system (GPS) market includes sales of hydrophones and transceivers, tethered buoy systems with surface gnss receivers, sonar integration units, and battery modules and power management units. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

How is Market Value Defined and Measured?

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified). The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

What Key Data and Analysis Are Included in the Underwater Global Positioning System (GPS) Market Report 2026?

The underwater global positioning system (gps) market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides market statistics, including industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the market share, detailed market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the underwater global positioning system (gps) industry. The market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the industry.