The seabed and uncrewed naval systems market is set to grow from US$1.7 billion in 2025 to US$3 billion by 2029. This report explores key national programmes and emerging technologies shaping the future of maritime security across leading global markets.

As seabed activity accelerates worldwide, the protection of critical underwater infrastructure - from data cables and pipelines to military assets - has become a strategic imperative. This infographic offers a global snapshot of national programmes and cutting-edge technologies being deployed to enhance seabed security. From autonomous underwater vehicles to advanced mine countermeasure systems, discover how countries are responding to emerging maritime threats in the undersea domain. Produced in association with Defence IQ’s Seabed Security Conference, this visual guide supports understanding of current initiatives shaping the future of undersea defence.

This professional report examines the fast-emerging domain of seabed warfare - a critical but often overlooked frontier in modern defence strategy. Prompted by events such as the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage, the analysis explores how vital undersea infrastructure, including communication cables, energy pipelines, and wind farm connectors, has become a target in grey zone and hybrid conflicts. Defence journalist Tim Ripley investigates the escalating risks, the evolving capabilities of key state actors, and the innovative technologies being developed to detect, deter, and respond to threats on the ocean floor.

Seabed Security provides a unique opportunity to engage directly with the organisations and individuals leading this effort. Taking place in Troia, Portugal, the event will convene senior naval leaders, seabed warfare specialists, defence technologists, and programme managers to explore strategies, technologies, and collaborative approaches to securing the seabed.

To help you plan your attendance, we’ve released the attendee list, offering a clear view of the companies and job titles already confirmed. Whether you're looking to benchmark your approach, build partnerships, or gain insight into current priorities, this list shows exactly who you’ll be meeting.

The seabed has become a new frontier of strategic importance, carrying the data, energy, and resources that modern societies depend on. As risks grow from natural hazards, human activity, and deliberate threats, protecting this critical infrastructure demands greater resilience, innovation, and cooperation. In this exclusive Defence iQ interview, Rear Admiral Nuno de Noronha Bragança offers his expert insights into these challenges, drawing on his experience at the Atlantic Centre to highlight the need for collective action in safeguarding the underwater domain.