The global sonar systems market size was US$ 7.2 billion in 2021. The global sonar systems market size is forecast to reach US$ 8.29 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.9% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2030.

A sonar system uses sound propagation in fluids to navigate, communicate, and detect objects beneath the surface of the water. Sonar stands for sound navigation and ranging. As an additional feature, sonars can classify according to their transmission abilities - active sonars send acoustic pulses to listen to echoes while passive sonars receive ambient sounds such as those made by ships, submarines, and marine mammals. Active sonar works similar to radar, detecting targets within a certain range, whereas passive sonars can use as anti-submarine warfare systems.

Factors Influencing Market Growth

• Increased maritime tourism, seaborne trade activities, increasing naval ship procurement and upgrading, and rising commercial ship deliveries worldwide are factors driving the global sonar system market. 
• The rising demand for sonobuoys for tactical defense operations and the growing use of sonar in aquaculture farms are driving the market growth during the forecast period.
• A high installation and maintenance cost may slow down the overall market's growth.
• The unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) are remotely operated devices used to solve a variety of tasks in the marine environment, such as mine detection, seafloor exploration, fish behavioral analysis, etc. Thus, the increasing adoption of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) will provide lucrative opportunities for the global market.

Impact Analysis of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic had a temporary halt in naval vessel production. Lower market demand has caused trade to slow due to lower levels of activity. Consequently, the COVID-19 effect caused delays in ship components, parts, and systems for navy vessels, stifling the market for sonar systems. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the global market. 

Regional Insights

North America accounted for the largest revenue share in the market in 2021. Prominent companies in the region are driving the region's growth by procuring modern systems for integrating better naval defense systems for the country's security and increasing their R&D to improve sonar systems.

The Asia Pacific region is forecast to grow at a high rate in the sonar systems market during the forecast period. Due to its geopolitical environment, this region has seen numerous skirmishes and armed confrontations, especially between countries in the South China Sea. As a result, numerous countries have acquired new naval assets while also improving the capabilities of existing boats.

Leading Competitors

The leading prominent companies profiled in the global sonar system market are:

• Atlas Elektronik
• FLIR Systems
• Furuno Electric Co.
• Japan Radio Company
• Kongsberg Gruppen ASA
• L3 Technologies
• Lockheed Martin
• Navico
• Raytheon Company
• Sonardyne
• Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
• Thales Group
• Ultra Electronics
• Other Prominent Players

Scope of the Report

The global sonar systems market segmentation focuses on Applications, Platforms, Ports, Installation, and Region.

Segmentation based on Applications

• Anti-submarine Warfare
• Port Security
• Mine Detection & Countermeasure Systems
• Search & Rescue
• Navigation
• Diver Detection
• Seabed Terrain Investigation
• Scientific
• Others

Segmentation based on Platforms

• Commercial Vessels
• Defense Vessels
• Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs)
• Aircrafts
• Ports

Segmentation based on Ports

• Hull-mounted
• Stern-mounted
• Dipping
• Sonobuoy

Segmentation based on Installation

• Fixed
• Deployable

Segmentation based on Region

• North America
• The U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• Western Europe
• The UK
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Western Europe
• Eastern Europe
• Poland
• Russia
• Rest of Eastern Europe
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia & New Zealand
• ASEAN
• Rest of Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)
• UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Rest of MEA
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of South America