Taiwan Tests Sea Drones As China Keeps Up Military Pressure

A Taiwanese-made sea drone capable of carrying explosives skimmed across waters off the island, in a public demonstration of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) that could boost Taiwan’s military capabilities amid rising tensions with China, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

One highlight was the Black Tide, a sea drone built by Taiwanese shipbuilder Lungteh. I Photo: 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) X

As Beijing maintains military pressure, Taiwan is ramping up investments in aerial and maritime drones, taking cues from how such technology has shifted battlefield dynamics in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, has repeatedly threatened to use force to bring the island under its control.

Twelve local and foreign companies participated in the USV demonstration, hosted by Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) in Yilan, southeast of Taipei.

The event allowed potential clients, including the military and coast guard, to evaluate drone technologies for future mass production, the institute said in a statement.

One highlight was the Black Tide, a sea drone built by Taiwanese shipbuilder Lungteh.

Designed for “contested environments,” the Black Tide can reach speeds over 43 knots (80 kilometers or 50 miles per hour) and can be deployed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and “one-way strike” missions, according to its manufacturer.