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According to the latest market research study published by P&S Intelligence, the global maritime surveillance market is on a robust growth trajectory, projected to expand from USD 26.3 billion in 2024 to USD 46.0 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 7.4% during 2025–2032.

The market’s expansion is driven by the escalating maritime security challenges, including piracy, smuggling, and geopolitical tensions, as well as the growing need for comprehensive maritime domain awareness across defense and commercial sectors.

Heightened Security Threats Driving Market Growth

The recent surge in maritime incidents underscores the urgent need for advanced surveillance systems. According to the International Chamber of Commerce, 2024 witnessed 116 piracy and armed robbery incidents globally, with reported cases in early 2025 marking a 50% year-on-year increase.

The Houthi militia’s attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea during 2023–2024 have further accelerated global investments in integrated surveillance solutions to safeguard international shipping routes.

Governments and defense organizations are now deploying satellite-based monitoring systems, AI-driven analytics platforms, and autonomous maritime vehicles to mitigate these evolving threats.

Technological Innovation Transforming Maritime Surveillance

The maritime surveillance sector is entering a new era of AI-driven and autonomous operations.

• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies now enable real-time detection of suspicious vessel behavior and predictive threat analytics.
• In January 2024, PierSight Space Pvt. Ltd. secured USD 6 million to develop an advanced satellite constellation with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and automatic identification system (AIS) capabilities.
• Similarly, Kongsberg Gruppen’s Arctic Ocean Surveillance Precursor (AOS-P) satellite, launched in November 2024, represents the next frontier of real-time maritime situational awareness.

The integration of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), unmanned surface vessels (USVs), blockchain-secured data systems, and 5G-enabled communication networks is redefining how maritime authorities operate, enhancing both efficiency and security intelligence.

Government Investments and Strategic Collaborations Lead Market Expansion

The government sector accounted for the largest market share (45%) in 2024 and is expected to maintain its leadership throughout the forecast period. Nations are prioritizing the modernization of coastal defenses, expanding naval surveillance, and reinforcing maritime domain awareness infrastructure.

Notable recent developments include:

• August 2025: The Indian Coast Guard advanced its UAV-based surveillance programs and initiated Coastal Surveillance Network Phase 2.
• July 2025: The Indian Navy partnered with Bharat Electronics Limited to establish the National Maritime Domain Awareness (NMDA) Project, integrating AI-enhanced intelligence-sharing systems.
• May 2025: The U.S. State Department approved a USD 131 million sale of IPMDA surveillance technology to India, strengthening Indo-Pacific security cooperation.
• August 2025: SRT Marine Systems (UK) entered a 10-year partnership with the Indonesian Sea and Coast Guard to deploy its National Maritime Security System (NMSS).

Regional Growth Highlights

• North America dominates the market (40% share in 2024), driven by U.S. and Canadian investments in defense modernization and Arctic surveillance initiatives.
• Asia-Pacific is poised for the fastest growth (CAGR ~7.5%), fueled by heightened security tensions in the South China Sea, piracy in Southeast Asia, and naval modernization efforts in India, Japan, and South Korea.
• Europe continues to advance in integrated defense systems, led by the U.K., France, and Germany, while the Middle East and Africa are strengthening surveillance to secure critical maritime trade routes.

Leading Companies Shaping the Future of Maritime Surveillance

The market remains consolidated yet competitive, with key players driving innovation through partnerships and R&D investments. Prominent companies include:
Leonardo S.p.A., Raytheon Technologies Corporation, BAE Systems plc, Elbit Systems Ltd., Bharat Electronics Limited, SRT Marine Systems plc, ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GmbH, Indra Sistemas S.A., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Thales Group, Saab AB, and Kongsberg Gruppen.

The Path Forward

As maritime routes become increasingly contested and vital to global trade, the demand for intelligent, connected, and autonomous surveillance systems is stronger than ever. The convergence of AI, space-based monitoring, and real-time analytics is set to define the next decade of maritime security.

With mounting geopolitical challenges, maritime surveillance will remain a cornerstone of global stability, safeguarding international waters, trade, and national interests.