Taiwan has unveiled a new unmanned surface vehicle (USV), signaling a strategic shift in its maritime defense approach amid rising tensions with mainland China. Developed by the state-run shipbuilding corporation CSBC, the naval drone—dubbed the Endeavor Manta—is designed to deter amphibious landing operations and bolster the island’s asymmetric warfare capabilities.
The introduction of this cutting-edge system reflects Taiwan’s growing emphasis on leveraging unmanned technologies in modern warfare. According to CSBC officials, the Endeavor Manta was directly inspired by the tactics employed in recent global conflicts, where relatively low-cost, high-impact naval drones have proven effective in contested environments.
The Endeavor Manta features a trimaran design, measuring 8.6 meters long and 3.7 meters wide, with sharp angular surfaces intended to minimize visibility on radar. Built for versatility, the USV can operate either as a weapons platform or as a one-way explosive drone, often referred to as a “kamikaze” vessel. It has a maximum speed of 35 knots (approximately 65 kilometers per hour) and can carry up to one ton of payload, making it suitable for a range of offensive and defensive missions.
The development comes as part of Taiwan’s broader efforts to enhance its indigenous defense capabilities and prepare for potential scenarios involving maritime incursions. Officials emphasized the importance of adaptive strategies in confronting a larger adversary, particularly by adopting innovations that allow for quick deployment and high maneuverability in coastal defense.
Taiwan’s military has been increasingly focused on asymmetric warfare—a strategy centered on using smaller, mobile, and technologically advanced systems to offset the numerical and resource advantages of its rivals. The Endeavor Mantais expected to play a key role in these defense plans, providing a flexible and rapid-response option for protecting the island’s coastline.
Further testing and integration into Taiwan’s naval forces are anticipated as part of ongoing defense modernization efforts.
