Taiwan Unveils Combat Drone Boat Inspired by Ukraine’s Naval Fleet
Taiwan has unveiled its first unmanned surface vessel (USV), the Endeavor Manta. It draws inspiration from Ukraine’s highly effective naval drones in the war against Russia, the Gaze reports, referring to Focus Taiwan.
The Endeavor Manta, designed to defend the island from a potential Chinese invasion in the Taiwan Strait, marks a significant step in Taiwan’s maritime defense strategy.
The Endeavor Manta measures 8.6 meters by 3.7 meters and is constructed from fiber-reinforced plastic. It boasts a maximum speed of 35 knots and can carry a payload exceeding one metric ton. The drone is equipped with AI, 4G, radio frequency, and satellite connectivity and is designed to return to base if communication signals are lost autonomously.
Notably, the current prototype includes a cockpit, though it remains unclear whether this feature will be retained in the final configuration after testing.
The need to modernize the Republic of China Armed Forces, restricted to Taiwan’s territorial jurisdiction, is becoming increasingly urgent amid rising tensions with China. According to Bloomberg, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry considers 2027 a potential year for Chinese military action.
Adding to Taiwan’s concerns is Donald Trump’s ambiguous stance on whether the U.S. would support Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. Taipei’s fears of abandonment have intensified as the U.S. has shut down USAID, engaged in tense negotiations with Ukraine and Russia, and even floated geopolitical maneuvers such as the occupation of Greenland.
Taiwan is not the only one to gain inspiration from Ukraine’s cutting-edge maritime drone technology.
Germany is exploring surface drones as a replacement for their warships, K130 Corvettes. Similarly, the European Defence Fund has initiated a project, led by the Estonian firm Baltic Workboats, to develop USV following Ukraine’s example.
For an in-depth breakdown of Ukrainian maritime drones, their strategic significance, and their impact on the future of naval warfare, watch the video on Gaze’s YouTube channel.