PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1927986
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1927986
A lightweight torpedo is a compact and swift anti-submarine weapon designed for easy deployment, commonly from surface vessels, aircraft, or helicopters. Its primary role is to engage and neutralize submarines rather than large surface combatants.
The major classifications of lightweight torpedoes include active torpedoes, passive torpedoes, wake-homing torpedoes, and acoustic torpedoes. Active torpedoes utilize sound pulses and their reflections to accurately detect and track targets in complex underwater conditions. They are available in multiple propulsion types such as electric, gas, and hybrid propulsion systems and can be launched from various platforms including submarines, ships, aircraft, and ground-based systems. These torpedoes find application in naval defense, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and coastal security operations, with end-users spanning military forces, naval organizations, government defense entities, and private defense contractors.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
Tariffs on lightweight torpedoes and related components have impacted production costs and supply chains, especially affecting military and naval defense sectors in north america, europe, and asia-pacific. While adoption in certain regions may slow, tariffs have encouraged domestic production, technological innovation, and improved strategic self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
The lightweight torpedo market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides lightweight torpedo market statistics, including lightweight torpedo industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a lightweight torpedo market share, detailed lightweight torpedo market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the lightweight torpedo industry. This lightweight torpedo market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The lightweight torpedo market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.22 billion in 2025 to $1.3 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to development of wire-guided active torpedoes, use of passive sonar homing torpedoes, deployment of submarine-launchable torpedoes, initial integration with ship-launched anti-submarine systems, early adoption in naval defense operations.
The lightweight torpedo market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.68 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for autonomous active torpedoes, expansion in aerial and multi-platform launch applications, advancements in adaptive acoustic guidance systems, increasing need for coastal and anti-surface security operations, innovations in hybrid and electric propulsion technologies. Major trends in the forecast period include advanced guidance and targeting systems, lightweight and compact design for rapid deployment, enhanced underwater propulsion and speed, stealth technology and reduced acoustic signature, integration with multi-platform launch capabilities.
The increasing defense budgets are expected to propel the growth of the lightweight torpedo market going forward. Defense budgets refer to government funding for sustaining and strengthening a country's military forces and national security. Defense budgets are growing mainly due to escalating geopolitical tensions, prompting nations to boost military strength and safeguard national security. Increasing defense budgets drive greater funding for developing advanced defense systems, including lightweight torpedoes, boosting naval strength with cutting-edge and efficient underwater weapons. This financial support advances research, manufacturing, and deployment, reinforcing maritime security and deterrence. For instance, in April 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a Sweden-based international research institute, global military spending reached $2443 billion in 2023, marking a 6.8% increase in real terms compared to 2022. Therefore, increasing defense budgets are driving the growth of the lightweight torpedo market.
Leading players in the lightweight torpedo market are emphasizing collaborative efforts to enhance their product offerings and solidify their presence in global markets. These strategic alliances involve the pooling of expertise, capabilities, and assets to achieve mutual goals, improve market positioning, and stimulate innovation. For example, in April 2025, Sweden's Defense Materiel Administration partnered with Saab to conduct a successful live-fire test of the Torpedo 47 (Tp 47), an electric lightweight torpedo, launched from a 15-meter Combat Boat 90 (CB90). This test represented a significant breakthrough in deploying advanced torpedoes from smaller naval vessels. Additionally, trials of launches from unmanned surface vessels (USVs) demonstrated the future potential for modular, flexible, and autonomous torpedo deployments, especially in littoral warfare scenarios. The initiative aligns with Sweden's push for nimble and versatile defense tools, informed by recent naval combat experiences, and aims to bolster Baltic Sea security through adaptable dual-domain capabilities.
In January 2025, Fincantieri, a shipbuilding and naval technology company based in Italy, acquired Leonardo's Underwater Armaments Business for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, Fincantieri aims to strengthen its capabilities in underwater warfare systems, expand its defense portfolio, and enhance its position as a global integrator of naval platforms and advanced weaponry. Leonardo is an Italy-based manufacturer of lightweight torpedoes.
Major companies operating in the lightweight torpedo market report are RTX Corporation, General Dynamics Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., BAE Systems plc, Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Saab AB, Defence Research and Development Organisation, Ultra Group, Rosoboronexport, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Naval Group, Leonardo S.p.A., Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, LIG Nex1 Co Ltd, Bharat Dynamics Limited, Atlas Elektronik GmbH, Norinco Group
North America was the largest region in the lightweight torpedo market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the lightweight torpedo market are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the lightweight torpedo market are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The lightweight torpedo market consists of sales of anti-submarine warfare helicopters or maritime patrol aircraft. 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.
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.
Lightweight Torpedo Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses lightweight torpedo market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for lightweight torpedo ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The lightweight torpedo market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
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