PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1992482
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1992482
Torpedoes are sophisticated underwater self-propelled weapons designed for deployment from submarines, ships, or aircraft in naval warfare, targeting the hulls of surface ships and submarines. These weapons are equipped with advanced technology enabling them to alter depth and direction based on external signals and initiate the detonation of their explosive warhead upon reaching or approaching the intended target.
The primary classifications of torpedoes include acoustic-homing torpedoes and wake-homing torpedoes. Acoustic-homing torpedoes utilize a sonar system sensitive to the target's acoustic signature, allowing them to home in on the distinctive sounds emitted by the target. This type is prominently used in anti-submarine warfare to detect and eliminate enemy submarines. Torpedoes can be further categorized based on weight, distinguishing between heavyweight and lightweight variants that employ different propulsion mechanisms, such as thermal-powered and electric-powered systems. These torpedoes find applications in various launch methods, including air-launched, surfaced-launched, and underwater-launched scenarios.
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 are influencing the torpedo market by increasing the cost of specialized components such as propulsion units, sensor modules, and electronic guidance systems sourced through global defense supply chains. These added costs disproportionately affect heavyweight torpedoes, advanced homing systems, and regions with substantial import dependency, including Asia-Pacific and parts of Europe. While tariffs create pricing pressure and delay procurement cycles, they also encourage domestic manufacturing, defense localization, and strategic sourcing initiatives, resulting in long-term capability building for several national defense sectors.
The torpedo market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides torpedo market statistics, including torpedo industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a torpedo market share, detailed torpedo market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the torpedo industry. This 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 torpedo market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.28 billion in 2025 to $1.37 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing naval modernization programs driving procurement of advanced torpedo systems, development of wire-guided and passive-acoustic torpedoes to enhance underwater targeting accuracy, rising submarine and anti-submarine warfare activities requiring reliable underwater weapons, improvements in propulsion and guidance technologies enabling deeper and longer-range torpedo operations, expansion of maintenance and upgrade services supporting legacy torpedo inventories.
The torpedo market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.77 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for smart torpedoes with autonomous navigation and target discrimination capabilities, increasing investment in lightweight torpedoes for air-launched and surface platforms, development of low-noise propulsion technologies to improve stealth performance, rising focus on multi-domain naval warfare driving integration of advanced sensors and communication modules, expansion of domestic torpedo manufacturing capabilities to enhance strategic self-reliance. Major trends in the forecast period include advanced underwater guidance systems, enhanced propulsion efficiency, miniaturization of lightweight torpedoes, improved warhead safety mechanisms, integration of multi-platform launch capabilities.
The rise in maritime security threats is expected to drive the expansion of the torpedo market in the coming years. Maritime security threats refer to classified challenges within the maritime domain, including acts of violence against passengers aboard ships and the placement of equipment on vessels that could cause destruction or damage, thereby endangering national and human security. Torpedoes are frequently used to counter maritime risks by detecting and neutralizing submarines and underwater mines, serving as a deterrent to attackers, and supporting search and rescue missions. For example, in May 2025, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, a Switzerland-based UN agency, UNHCR expressed deep concern over two recent boat disasters off the coast of Myanmar, where an estimated 427 Rohingya lost their lives. The first vessel, carrying 267 individuals from Cox's Bazar and Rakhine State, sank on 9 May, leaving 66 survivors. The second, with 247 people on board, capsized on 10 May, leaving 21 survivors. Reports also indicated a third boat carrying 188 Rohingya was intercepted on 14 May. Nearly one in five people attempting sea crossings in the region this year have been reported dead or missing, making these waters among the most dangerous worldwide. Therefore, the growing maritime security threats are contributing to the expansion of the torpedo market.
Major companies in the torpedo market are emphasizing technological advancements, such as multi-layered integrated torpedo defense systems (TDS), to strengthen their competitive position. A multi-layered integrated TDS is a highly advanced system engineered to shield surface ships from torpedo attacks. For instance, in June 2023, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., an Israel-based provider of military technology and weapon systems, introduced Torbuster SP. Torbuster SP is designed to defend surface ships against all types of acoustic homing torpedoes by employing a combination of soft-kill and hard-kill countermeasures to neutralize threats. The system can also deploy the third-generation Scutter Mk 3 reactive vessel-launched torpedo decoy, which remains at a pre-programmed depth and stays active for up to 10 minutes, transmitting customized or general responses that simulate various ship signatures.
In January 2025, Fincantieri S.p.A, an Italy-based shipbuilding company, acquired Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei S.p.A (WASS) from Leonardo S.p.A for $428 million (€415 million). This acquisition enables Fincantieri to enhance its undersea capabilities by integrating advanced underwater acoustic technologies and weapons systems, reinforcing its leadership in the underwater defense sector, and positioning itself to benefit from the expanding global undersea defense market, which is projected to reach €94 billion in spending between 2024 and 2030. Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei S.p.A (WASS) is an Italy-based company specializing in torpedo development, underwater sensors, and unmanned underwater systems.
Major companies operating in the torpedo market are Atlas Electronic GmbH, BAE Systems plc, Bharat Dynamics Limited, Leonardo S.p.A., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Naval Group, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Saab AB, Aselsan A.S, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Rubin Central Design Bureau, Orbital ATK Inc., JSC Tactical Missiles Corporation, Sechan Electronics Inc., China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, thyssenkrupp AG, Norinco Group, DCNS, Honeywell International Inc., General Dynamics Corporation, Safran Electronics & Defense, Ultra Electronics, Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., LIG Nex1 Co. Ltd., Rave Gears, ECA Group, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd.
North America was the largest region in the torpedo market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global torpedo market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the torpedo market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the torpedo market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
The torpedo market consists of sales of wire-guided torpedoes, straight-running torpedoes, forget torpedoes, and passive-acoustic torpedoes. 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.
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 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 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 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.
Added Benefits available all on all list-price licence purchases, to be claimed at time of purchase. Customisations within report scope and limited to 20% of content and consultant support time limited to 8 hours.