TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan has developed and tested multiple armed unmanned surface vessels (USVs) with the potential to disrupt and deter Chinese invasion fleets, Naval News reported.
Inspired by asymmetric tactics in the Russo-Ukraine War’s Black Sea battles, Taiwan is accelerating USV development and deployment to counter China’s military threat. Drones and missiles have been used in Ukraine to control trade routes and challenge Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
China’s threat spans multiple domains, making it difficult for any single weapon to act as a deterrent. However, large-scale USV deployment could disrupt Chinese ship movements, expose them to long-range missile strikes, and inject greater uncertainty into Beijing’s military planning.
In June, the National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology held an unmanned surface vehicle display in Yilan, where 12 domestic and international companies showcased products. Taiwanese firms Thunder Tiger, Carbon-Based Technology, and Lung Teh Shipbuilding Co. also conducted live demonstrations.
Thunder Tiger’s SeaShark 800 is an 8-meter-long attack USV capable of carrying explosives and operating via long-range remote control. It features an aluminum hull with stealth coating, a top speed of 92.6 kilometers per hour, and swarm control technology for coordinated operations.
Carbon-Based Technology’s Carbon Seeker I is a compact, 2-meter-long vessel built with aerospace-grade carbon fiber and stealth paint, reducing detection risk by up to 90%. It can carry up to 100 kg, and is equipped with remote control, autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, and long-range communication.
The institute’s Kuai-Chi USV uses two diesel outboard engines to reach speeds of about 80 kph. It carries a satellite communication system and a weapons payload including explosives, a drone bay, and launch tubes for loitering munitions.
The Navy’s Endeavor Manta USV is designed for asymmetric attacks in the Taiwan Strait. Measuring 8.6 meters long and 3.7 meters wide, it can carry up to one tonne and reach about 35 knots. It supports multiple communication modes, including 4G, radio frequency, and satellite links, and is equipped with swarm control, autonomous navigation with collision avoidance, and AI-powered target recognition.
