Sonobuoy Market

Sonobuoy Market Outlook (2023-2033)

The sonobuoy market was estimated to have a market value of US$ 1,002.5 Mn in 2022; the value is estimated to reach US$ 1,080.7 Mn in 2023. The sonobuoy market value is estimated to reach US$ 2,661.9 Mn, by the end of 2033, and will grow at a CAGR% on 8.6%, for the forecast period 2023-2033.

Sonobuoys are devices that are used for the purpose of recording underwater sounds and forwarding these signals to their end users. The primary verticals that use sonobuoys are military and defence and research; they are used for tracking and detecting submarines and other underwater devices and machines, shoals of fish for estimating their population, and monitoring underwater volcanic activities.

As mentioned earlier, these devices are used for recording the underwater sounds in order to track and identify the objects that are located beneath the water and allow the users to obtain necessary information and updates and take the necessary measures, such as identifying enemy submarines or studying marine life, activities, and exploration.

By region, the market in North America held the largest market share of 27.7% in the global landscape in 2022, followed by Europe with a market share of 23.5% for the same year.

What Influences the Sonobuoy Market?

“Defence Budgets and the Requirement of Anti-Submarine Warfare Technology Determine Demand for Sonobuoys”

Sonobuoys are an important component of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) solutions used by countries' naval and military forces. Due to this, the primary customers of this technology are governments and the military.

Factors that influence the purchase of sonobuoys are the defence budget of the country, the marine area under its control, and potential threats they may face from countries with which it has unstable relations. Although defence is the primary sector that invests in sonobuoys, marine research and various underwater infrastructure, such as underwater data centers, can act as potential market drivers for the sonobuoy market.

• In April 2021, Elbit America, the American branch of Israel weapon manufacturer, Elbit systems, acquired Sparton that is a supplier of sonobouys to the US Navy. The acquisition will allow Elbit America to improve its presence with the US customers and improve its product offerings.
• In March 2021, Thales group was approached by the French government defence agency for the manufacture and dispatch of SonoFlash the sonobuoys developed by Thales group, the sonobuoy is an active/passive sonobuoy and the French Navy requires it for their anti-submarine warfare (ASW).

What Factors Allow the US Sonobuoy Market to be The Largest Globally?

“US is a Market Leader for Sonobuoys Due to Massive Defence Expenditure”

The US has several large weapon manufacturers that sell their sonobuoys to countries that have strategic relationships with other countries. Due to a large coastline, it becomes important for the military to deploy sonobuoys for safety and security; historically, this has required a large investment in the defence infrastructure, allowing for large-scale deployment of sonobuoys in the US.

Due to these reasons, the US market share of sonobuoys is estimated at 18.9% in 2022.

Why Sonobuoy Market is in High Demand in India?

“Unstable Relations with Neighbouring Countries Drive the Demand for Sonobuoys in India”

India is a country that has challenging relationships and border disputes with some of its neighbouring countries; intrusion of pirate ships and the unauthorised entry of any unauthorised vessel is a matter of concern for this country; geographically, the country is a peninsula and has a large coastline; due to these reasons, the country has a continuous demand for the deployment and replacement of sonobuoys for its defence purposes and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% over the forecast period.

Why China Is Estimated to Increase its Use of Sonobuoy Technology?

“Disputes with Several Countries Drives Demand for Sonobuoys in China”

China has one of the largest navy fleets in the world, making the country a large market for the submarine market. Uncertain relationships with its neighbours, as well as the naval fleets with which it interacts at sea, necessitate the deployment of sonobuoys for defence purposes; however, the country has not taken solely defensive stances in the past, and can rely on sonobuoys for spying and surveillance as well.

For these reasons, China is a large market for sonobuoys and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% over the forecast period.

Category-wise Insights

Why Active Sonobuoys Have the Largest Market Share by Type?

Active sonobuoys can be used to detect underwater movements, but because they use a transducer to emit sound signals as well, they could also be used to confuse or jam the radar and signals of enemy submarines.

Due to this reason, active sonobuoys were estimated to have held the largest market share of 56.6% in 2022.

Why Detection and Tracking is Estimated to Maintain the Largest Market Share throughout the Forecast Period?

The primary purpose of sonobuoys is to detect movement by forwarding the sounds recorded by them and forwarding the signals to the users using a sonobuoy processing system. Irrespective of the domain that purchases the sonobuoy, the primary purpose remains the same. Due to these reasons, detection and tracking are estimated to have held the largest market share of 48.7% in 2022 and will maintain the largest market share over the forecast period.

Why Size A Sonobuoy has the Largest Market Share?

Sonobuoy size A has just the right size that could be carried by individuals and loaded on airplanes and ships in large quantities. Deploying them underwater in large quantities becomes easier due to their size and can also be expendable.

Due to this reason, the size A sonobuoy held the largest market share of 64.5% in 2022 and is estimated to maintain the market dominance over the forecast period.

Competitive Landscape

Most of the companies that manufacture and sell sonobuoys are weapon manufacturers and the customers are usually defence forces and governments. Many of these clients, already have a set of suppliers and usually purchase their equipment from them, the orders require years to be delivered and the sonobouys are sold to them in large quantities. Unstable relations between countries could negatively influence the business for sonobuoy manufacturers.

• In September 2022, US Navy ordered 126,000 sonobuoys form ERAPSCO for US$ 181.9 Mn. The purpose of this transaction was for the replenishment of the inventory of the US Navy’s anti-submarine warfare equipment.
• In July 2020, it was reported that US Navy had started working on the development of a new sonobuoy that could detect the new submarines that have jamming systems and quiet in their operation that allow them to avoid being detected.

Recent developments related to key players providing sonobuoy market solutions have been tracked by the analysts at Persistence Market Research, which will be accessible in the full report.

Sonobuoys Market Report Scope

Key Segments of Sonobuoy Market Industry Research

By Type:

• Passive
• Active

By Application:

• Detection & Tracking
• Safety & Security
• Oil & Gas
• Others

By Size:

• Size A
• Size B
• Others

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• East Asia
• South Asia Pacific
• Middle East and Africa

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