Taiwan unveils home-built unmanned attack boat inspired by Ukraine drone warfare
Taiwan's shipbuilder CSBC Corp has unveiled its first domestically developed military unmanned surface vehicle (USV), marking a significant step towards strengthening the island's drone fleet against growing threats from the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
Advertisement
Inspired by Ukraine's use of
drone warfare , the Endeavour Manta USV aligns with Taiwan's asymmetric warfare strategy, leveraging advanced and cost-effective technologies against a numerically superior adversary.
However, concerns persist over whether Taiwan's domestically produced military USVs are effective and cost-efficient given the island's lag behind mainland China in
drone development
01:15
Ukraine strikes Moscow with its biggest drone attack ahead of ceasefire talks with US
Ukraine strikes Moscow with its biggest drone attack ahead of ceasefire talks with US
The drone attack boat was unveiled on Tuesday during a launch event in Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan. The drone measures 8.6 metres by 3.7 metres (28 feet by 12 feet), and has a displacement exceeding 5 tonnes. Made of fibre-reinforced plastic, it has a payload capacity exceeding 1 tonne and a top speed of 35 knots (65km/h), powered by two outboard engines.
Equipped with multiple communication systems – including 4G, line-of-sight radios and beyond line-of-sight satellite links – the USV can maintain contact with a control centre.
CSBC chairman Huang Cheng-hung emphasised its AI-driven targeting, anti-hijacking features and autonomous navigation system, allowing it to return to base – even if jammed by enemy forces. The vessel could carry high-explosive warheads and light torpedoes and maximise damage through direct suicide collisions.
Advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
17 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Paris Air Show: China gives glimpse of 5th-gen J-35A fighter model in bid for foreign sales
China has displayed a scale model of its latest fifth-generation fighter jet overseas for the first time as part of its advanced military aircraft line-up at a major air show in Europe this week. Advertisement China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) displayed a miniature version of the J-35A – the land-based variant of China's latest fifth-generation fighter jet, the J-35 – at the 55th Paris Air Show, the largest and one of the oldest events of its kind in the world. After more than a decade of development by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), China unveiled the J-35A at the Zhuhai air show in November as China's second fifth-generation fighter jet after the J-20 02:26 China's biggest air show in Zhuhai features new fighter jets and helicopters China's biggest air show in Zhuhai features new fighter jets and helicopters The J-20 is prohibited from overseas export but was also on display at CATIC's booth in the Paris Air Show, which is taking place until Sunday. While its original version is expected to be used as a carrier-based fighter for Chinese aircraft carriers, its land-based variant has been developed for the People's Liberation Army Air Force and was reportedly first flown in September 2023. The J-35 debuted at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, in February, but this is the first time the J-35A has been showcased outside China. Advertisement China has been trying to boost export sales of its fighter aircraft. Wary of offending the US, Europe has ruled out buying Chinese military planes, but sales have risen in developing countries, particularly in the Middle East and South Asia.
South China Morning Post
20 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
China displays fifth-gen J-35A fighter model at Paris Air Show in bid for foreign sales
China has displayed a scale model of its latest fifth-generation fighter jet overseas for the first time as part of its advanced military aircraft line-up at a major air show in Europe this week. China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) displayed a miniature version of the J-35A – the land-based variant of China's latest fifth-generation fighter jet, the J-35 – at the 55th Paris Air Show, the largest and one of the oldest air shows in the world. China unveiled the J-35A at the Zhuhai air show in November after more than a decade of development by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) as China's second fifth-generation fighter jet after the J-20 02:26 China's biggest air show in Zhuhai features new fighter jets and helicopters China's biggest air show in Zhuhai features new fighter jets and helicopters The J-20 is prohibited from overseas export but was also on display at CATIC's booth in the Paris Air Show, which is taking place until Sunday. While its original version is expected to be used as a carrier-based fighter for Chinese aircraft carriers, its land-based variant has been developed for the People's Liberation Army Air Force and was reportedly first flown in September 2023. The Paris Air Show marks the first showcase of the J-35A outside China, following the overseas debut of the carrier-based variant at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, in February. China has recently been seeking to boost export sales of its fighter aircraft. Although China does not have a record of fighter aircraft sales in the European market – which has ruled out buying Chinese military aircraft because of Beijing's political and military relations with the US – it has recently seen a rise in sales in developing countries, particularly in the Middle East and South Asia.
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
China hints Fujian aircraft carrier may soon be commissioned
The Fujian , China's most advanced aircraft carrier, is expected to be commissioned soon based on new images circulating on social media. On Monday state media dropped another hint that the ship would soon be entering service by referring to an 'era' when the Chinese navy would have three carriers New satellite images of the ship circulating on social media showed 36 newly painted spaces on the flight deck for warplanes, a higher capacity than the country's two existing carriers. Song Zhongping, a military commentator and former PLA instructor, said the new markings suggested that the Fujian 'is getting prepared to be commissioned'. 'The aircraft carrier will [then] enter trial service to continue testing the adaptability and coordination between the carrier and aircraft or other weapon systems,' he said. Song said it was possible that more sea trials would be conducted before the Fujian formally entered service by the end of the year, as more take-off and landing tests and carrier group coordination exercises were needed. But they could also be conducted during the trial service period, he added.
