Torpedo Market

Torpedo Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Weight (Lightweight Torpedoes and Heavyweight Torpedoes), by Launch Platform (Air-launched, Surface-launched, and Underwater-launched), and by Propulsion (Electric Propulsion and Conventional Propulsion) Forecast Period (2024-2031)

Published: Nov 2024 | Report Code: OMR2028537 | Category : Aerospace and Defense | Delivery Format: /

Torpedo market is anticipated to grow at a considerable CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period (2024-2031). A torpedo is a sophisticated underwater missile, launched from submarines or ships. Propelled itself, it homes in on a target and explodes on contact or proximity, delivering a powerful punch to cripple or destroy enemy vessels.

global torpedo market dynamics

Market Dynamics

Increasing Defense Budgets Fueling the Torpedo Market

Increased military expenditure is a significant driver of the expanding torpedo market. Geopolitical tensions, simmering border disputes, and the ever-present threat of terrorism create a complex security landscape. As a result, governments prioritize defense budgets, allocating more resources to bolster their military capabilities. For instance, in 2023, Russia's military expenditure surged by 24.0%, reaching an estimated $109 billion, indicating a 57.0% increase since 2014, coinciding with the annexation of Crimea. Military spending constituted 16.0% of Russia's total government expenditure in 2023, with its military burden, or military spending as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), standing at 5.9%. This translates directly to investments in advanced weaponry for all branches of the armed forces, including the navy. Submarines play a vital role in modern warfare, and torpedoes are their primary offensive armament.  Therefore, a rise in military spending directly translates to an increased demand for modern and sophisticated torpedoes, fueling the growth of this specialized market.

Upgrading the Arsenal: Fleet Modernization Drives Demand for New-Gen Torpedoes

The global landscape of naval power is undergoing a significant transformation driven by a focus on modernization. Navies around the world are actively upgrading their fleets with next-generation vessels, including nuclear submarines. These technologically advanced platforms boast superior capabilities compared to their predecessors.However, this modernization necessitates a parallel evolution in weaponry. For instance, in July 2023, India is planning to procure 26 Rafale fighter aircraft and three Scorpene class conventional submarines from France. The submarine is equipped with sea-skimming SM-39 Exocet missiles and heavy-weight wire-guided surface and underwater target torpedoes. Existing torpedoes, designed for older submarines, may not be compatible or lack the performance required to fully utilize the potential of these new platforms. This creates a crucial demand for newer-generation torpedoes specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with modern submarines. As navies prioritize fleet upgrades, the need for compatible and advanced torpedoes surges, propelling the growth of the torpedo market.

Market Segmentation

Our in-depth analysis of the global torpedo market includes the following segments by weight, launch platform, and propulsion:

  • Based on weight, the market is bifurcated into lightweight torpedoes and heavyweight torpedoes.
  • Based on the launch platform, the market is sub-segmented into air-launched, surface-launched, and underwater-launched.
  • Based on propulsion the market is augmented into electric propulsion and conventional propulsion.

Lightweight Torpedoes: The New Wave in Undersea Warfare

The global torpedo market is currently experiencing a surge in growth, with lightweight torpedoes emerging as a particularly strong segment. This rise can be attributed to several key advantages. Lightweight designs offer a perfect canvas for integrating cutting-edge technologies like electric propulsion and advanced guidance systems, boosting their effectiveness and range. Additionally, their cost-effectiveness makes them an attractive option for budget-conscious navies, especially those undergoing fleet modernization.Finally, operational flexibility is a major selling point. For instance, in May 2023, EuroTorp, a consortium of Naval Group, Thales, and Leonardo, developed the MU90 lightweight torpedo, meeting NATO navies' demands with over 300 sea trials. MU90 boasts advanced features including anti-torpedo capability in development, silent electric propulsion, and sophisticated signal processing for multi-target tracking. Operational with numerous navies, MU90 offers effective engagement in shallow and confined waters, enhancing maritime security. Lightweight torpedoes can be launched from a wider range of platforms, including helicopters and surface vessels, in addition to submarines, adding to their strategic value. This confluence of factors suggests a potential shift in the torpedo market, with lightweight torpedoes becoming the weapon of choice for many navies worldwide.

Air-Launched Torpedoes: Shaping the Future of Undersea Warfare 

The global torpedo market is surging, led by air-launched variants, driven by their strategic advantages in modern underwater warfare. Advancements in electric propulsion and autonomous guidance systems enhance range, stealth, and accuracy, crucial in contemporary engagements. Naval strategies prioritize anti-submarine warfare (ASW), favoring rapid response. Aircraft-deployed air-launched torpedoes offer swift reactions, countering emerging threats effectively. For instance, The RAF's Maritime Patrol Aircraft fleet will integrate the British-designed Sting Ray lightweight torpedo. Sting Ray Mod 1, already in Royal Navy service, offers advanced anti-submarine capabilities with its sophisticated homing and navigation systems. This integration enhances fleet flexibility and interoperability with allies. This blend of innovation, adaptability, and rapid response positions them at the forefront of maritime warfare. Thus, this segment is poised to maintain dominance in the expanding torpedo market.

Regional Outlook

The global torpedo is further segmented based on geography including North America (the US, and Canada), Europe (UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and the Rest of the World (the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America). 

North America: A Torpedo Powerhouse Leading the Global Market

North America currently holds the leading position in the global torpedo market. This dominance is driven by a union of factors. The region boasts a powerful defense industry, particularly in the United States, which possesses the technological expertise and production capacity to manufacture advanced torpedoes. Additionally, the US Navy, a dominant force on the global stage, relies heavily on torpedoes for its submarine fleet, creating a constant demand for these weapons. For instance, in 2022, the US alone allocated a staggering $877.0 billion for its military expenditures, constituting nearly 40.0% of the world's total military spending, which amounted to $2.2 trillion. Finally, significant military spending by North American governments allocates resources towards naval modernization, further fueling the need for cutting-edge torpedoes. For instance, in 2023, the US military expenditure totaled around $820.3 billion, constituting approximately 13.3% of the federal budget for that fiscal year. In March 2023, the Department of Defense (DoD) proposed a budget request of $842.0 billion for 2024, reflecting a 2.6% increase. Notably, the Navy was allocated $202.6 billion as part of this budget request. These factors combined solidify North America's position at the forefront of the global torpedo market.

Global Torpedo Market Growth by Region 2024-2031

global torpedo market growth, by region

Rising Tide of Demand: The Asia-Pacific Region Emerges as the Torpedo Market's Growth Engine

The Asia-Pacific region leads the global torpedo market's growth, fueled by rising military spending, geopolitical tensions, and fleet modernization. Increased investments by nations like China and India expand naval capabilities, driving demand for advanced weaponry. For instance, China's 14th National People's Congress revealed a planned 7.2% increase in defense spending, aiming to allocate a record $233.0 billion for national defense in the current year, up from $219.0 billion in 2023.Additionally, India's annual budget for the financial year 2023, unveiled on February 1, outlines a total outlay of $544.0 billion. Of this, the government earmarked 5.9 trillion rupees for defense, representing approximately 13.0% of the total budget. Notably, the capital outlay for the Navy saw an increase to $6.3 billion, up from $5.7 billion previously allocated. Geopolitical complexities mandate robust naval defenses, spurring torpedoes procurement for growing submarine fleets. Ongoing modernization efforts require compatible torpedoes for advanced vessels, further boosting demand. This confluence of factors positions the Asia-Pacific as the fastest-growing torpedo market globally.

Market Players Outlook

global torpedo market players outlook

*Note: Major Players Sorted in No Particular Order.

The major companies serving the global torpedo market include RTX Corporation, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD., and Saab ABamong others. The market players are increasingly focusing on business expansion and product development by applying strategies such as collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions to stay competitive in the market. For instance,in January 2024,Northrop Grumman developed and tested the first industry-built Very Lightweight Torpedo (VLWT) for the U.S. Navy, based on a design from Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Laboratory (PSU-ARL). Independently funded, Northrop Grumman plans to offer affordability improvements for the Navy's Compact Rapid Attack Weapon program. Leveraging its extensive torpedo legacy, the company aims to enhance subsea lethality and support multiple warfighting platforms. 

The Report Covers

  • Market value data analysis of 2023 and forecast to 2031.
  • Annualized market revenues ($ million) for each market segment.
  • Country-wise analysis of major geographical regions.
  • Key companies operating in the global torpedo market based on the availability of data, information related to new product launches, and relevant news is also available in the report.
  • Analysis of business strategies by identifying the key market segments positioned for strong growth in the future.
  • Analysis of market-entry and market expansion strategies.
  • Competitive strategies by identifying ‘who-stands-where’ in the market.

1. Report Summary

1.1. Current Industry Analysis and Growth Potential Outlook

1.2. Research Methods and Tools

1.3. Market Breakdown

1.3.1. By Segments

1.3.2. By Region

2. Market Overview and Insights

2.1. Scope of the Report

2.2. Analyst Insight & Current Market Trends

2.2.1. Key Findings

2.2.2. Recommendations

2.2.3. Conclusion

3. Competitive Landscape

3.1. Key Company Analysis

3.2. BAE Systems Plc

3.2.1. Overview

3.2.2. Financial Analysis 

3.2.3. SWOT Analysis

3.2.4. Recent Developments

3.3. MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.

3.3.1. Overview

3.3.2. Financial Analysis 

3.3.3. SWOT Analysis

3.3.4. Recent Developments

3.4. Northrop Grumman Corp.

3.4.1. Overview

3.4.2. Financial Analysis 

3.4.3. SWOT Analysis

3.4.4. Recent Developments

3.5. RTX Corp.

3.5.1. Overview

3.5.2. Financial Analysis 

3.5.3. SWOT Analysis

3.5.4. Recent Developments

3.6. Saab AG

3.6.1. Overview

3.6.2. Financial Analysis 

3.6.3. SWOT Analysis

3.6.4. Recent Developments

3.7. Key Strategy Analysis

4. Market Segmentation

4.1. Global Torpedo Market by Weight

4.1.1. Lightweight Torpedoes

4.1.2. Heavyweight Torpedoes

4.2. Global Torpedo Market by Launch Platform

4.2.1. Air-Launched

4.2.2. Surface-Launched

4.2.3. Underwater-Launched

4.3. Global Torpedo Market by Propulsion

4.3.1. Electric Propulsion

4.3.2. Conventional Propulsion

5. Regional Analysis

5.1. North America

5.1.1. United States

5.1.2. Canada

5.2. Europe

5.2.1. UK

5.2.2. Germany

5.2.3. Italy

5.2.4. Spain

5.2.5. France

5.2.6. Rest of Europe 

5.3. Asia-Pacific

5.3.1. China

5.3.2. India

5.3.3. Japan

5.3.4. South Korea

5.3.5. Rest of Asia-Pacific 

5.4. Rest of the World

5.4.1. Latin America

5.4.2. Middle East & Africa

6. Company Profiles 

6.1. Atlas Elektronik GmbH

6.2. Bharat Dynamics Limited 

6.3. JSC Tactical Missiles Corporation

6.4. Leonardo S.p.A.  

6.5. LIG Nex1 Co Ltd

6.6. Naval Group  4B

6.7. Roketsan A.?.

6.8. Rosoboronexport

1. GLOBAL TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BYWEIGHT, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

2. GLOBAL LIGHTWEIGHT TORPEDO MARKETRESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY REGION, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION) 

3. GLOBAL HEAVYWEIGHT TORPEDO MARKETRESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY REGION, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

4. GLOBAL TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY LAUNCH PLATFORM, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

5. GLOBAL AIR-LAUNCHED TORPEDO MARKETRESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY REGION, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

6. GLOBAL SURFACE-LAUNCHED TORPEDO MARKETRESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY REGION, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

7. GLOBAL UNDERWATER-LAUNCHED TORPEDO MARKETRESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY REGION, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

8. GLOBAL TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY PROPULSION, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

9. GLOBALELECTRIC PROPULSIONTORPEDO MARKETRESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY REGION, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

10. GLOBAL CONVENTIONAL PROPULSIONTORPEDO MARKETRESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY REGION, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

11. GLOBALTORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY REGION, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION) 

12. NORTH AMERICAN TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY COUNTRY, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

13. NORTH AMERICAN TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BYWEIGHT 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

14. NORTH AMERICAN TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY LAUNCH PLATFORM, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION) 

15. NORTH AMERICAN TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY PROPULSION, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION) 

16. EUROPEAN TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY COUNTRY, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

17. EUROPEAN TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BYWEIGHT2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

18. EUROPEAN TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY LAUNCH PLATFORM, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION) 

19. EUROPEAN TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY PROPULSION, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

20. ASIA-PACIFIC TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY COUNTRY, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

21. ASIA-PACIFICTORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BYWEIGHT, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

22. ASIA- PACIFIC TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY LAUNCH PLATFORM, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION) 

23. ASIA-PACIFICTORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY PROPULSION, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

24. REST OF THE WORLD TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY COUNTRY, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

25. REST OF THE WORLD TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BYWEIGHT, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

26. REST OF THE WORLD TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY LAUNCH PLATFORM, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION) 

27. REST OF THE WORLD TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY PROPULSION, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

1. GLOBAL TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY WEIGHT, 2023 VS 2031 (%)

2. GLOBALLIGHTWEIGHT TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY REGION, 2023 VS 2031 (%)

3. GLOBAL HEAVYWEIGHT TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY REGION, 2023 VS 2031 (%)

4. GLOBAL TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY LAUNCH PLATFORM, 2023 VS 2031 (%)

5. GLOBALAIR-LAUNCHED TORPEDO MARKETRESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY REGION, 2023 VS 2031 (%)

6. GLOBALSURFACE-LAUNCHEDTORPEDO MARKETRESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY REGION, 2023 VS 2031 (%)

7. GLOBAL UNDERWATER-LAUNCHEDTORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY REGION, 2023 VS 2031 (%)

8. GLOBAL TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY PROPULSION, 2023 VS 2031 (%)

9. GLOBAL ELECTRIC PROPULSIONTORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY REGION, 2023 VS 2031 (%)

10. GLOBAL CONVENTIONAL PROPULSIONTORPEDOMARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY REGION, 2023 VS 2031 (%)

11. GLOBAL TORPEDO MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BY REGION, 2023 VS 2031 (%)

12. US TORPEDO MARKET SIZE, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

13. CANADA TORPEDO MARKETSIZE, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

14. UK TORPEDO MARKETSIZE, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

15. FRANCE TORPEDO MARKETSIZE, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

16. GERMANY TORPEDO MARKETSIZE, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

17. ITALY TORPEDO MARKETSIZE, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

18. SPAIN TORPEDO MARKET SIZE, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

19. REST OF EUROPE TORPEDO MARKETSIZE, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

20. INDIA TORPEDO MARKETSIZE, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

21. CHINA TORPEDO MARKET SIZE, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

22. JAPAN TORPEDO MARKET SIZE, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

23. SOUTH KOREA TORPEDO MARKETSIZE, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

24. REST OF ASIA-PACIFIC TORPEDO MARKETSIZE, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

25. LATIN AMERICA TORPEDO MARKET SIZE, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)

26. MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA TORPEDO MARKET SIZE, 2023-2031 ($ MILLION)