Deadly Undersea Prowess

Smruti Deshpande

Along with the armies and air forces the world over, navies too have started adopting unmanned technologies for operations. With several countries having dedicated resources for the development of these machines in order to dominate surfaces as well as sub-surfaces of oceans, the technology of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) has gained pace. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used to enhance the autonomy of UUVs and enable them to make decisions based on the data they collect.

Seafox Mine Disposal System Onboard HMS Bangor off Libya MOD Copyright Crown

According to the latest data from The Insight Partners, with a 7.8 per cent CAGR, the UUV market share is worth USD 4.44 billion. The value, estimated in 2022, stood at USD 2.83 billion. The countries tied to this study include the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil and Argentina.

The report suggests that geographically, the UUV market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America. North America is the most prominent region in the market owing to a large number of manufacturers and suppliers in the region. Moreover, software companies are enhancing the capabilities of these vehicles by introducing advanced software. The report further suggested that countries in the Asia Pacific region such as China, Japan, South Korea and India are constantly spending substantial amounts in the development and procurement of advanced unmanned underwater robots.

UUVs have gathered steam because they can perform several tasks underwater with precision and speed. During mine countermeasures, UUVs can be used to detect and neutralise underwater mines. They can be equipped with specialised sensors that can detect mines and explosives and can be programmed to neutralise them. At the time of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, these UUVs can be used to gather intelligence and conduct surveillance in underwater environments. They can be equipped with cameras, sensors and other instruments that can gather information about underwater infrastructure, enemy submarines among other targets.

Similarly, in cases of search and rescue, UUVs can be used to search for and locate missing persons or submerged vehicles. They can be equipped with sonar and other sensors that can detect objects underwater and can be remotely operated to search for targets in difficult or dangerous environments. Furthermore, they can even be used to map and survey underwater environments, including the seafloor and underwater infrastructure. They can be equipped with cameras and other sensors that can provide high-resolution images and data that can be used to create detailed maps and models.

UUVs can contribute greatly during warfare. UUVs can be used for offensive and defensive purposes in underwater warf