The Taiwanese military has introduced its first domestically constructed unmanned surface vessel (USV), marking a significant advancement in the country’s defense capabilities amid rising tensions with China. This new vessel, named the Endeavor Manta, is an 8.6-meter (28-foot) drone boat designed by Taiwan’s China Shipbuilding Corporation, with a clear inspiration drawn from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Endeavor Manta features a fiber-reinforced trimaran hull that provides enhanced stability, which is particularly vital for operations in the turbulent waters of the Taiwan Strait. The vessel boasts a remarkable payload capacity of over one ton, allowing it to transport light torpedoes and high-powered explosives, making it well-suited for close combat scenarios at sea. With a maximum speed of 35 knots (approximately 64 km/h or 40 mph), the Endeavor Manta combines speed and agility to effectively engage with potential threats.
For safeguarding its operational integrity in hostile situations, the Endeavor Manta is equipped with a failsafe mechanism that enables it to return to its home port automatically or self-destruct if it is captured by enemy forces. The drone boat made its official debut earlier this week at Kaohsiung’s Singda Harbor, aligning with Taiwan’s extensive military drills intended to prepare for the possibility of a Chinese invasion.
The design and functionality of the Endeavor Manta were influenced by Ukraine’s strategic use of unmanned vessels throughout its conflict with Russia. Ukrainian military forces have successfully utilized USVs for a variety of purposes, including surveillance, intelligence gathering, and initiating surprise attacks on enemy assets. Prominent instances of this capability include a seaborne drone strike on a Russian navy ship in the Black Sea in August 2023, as well as the destruction of a Russian speedboat near Crimea in May 2024.
In response to the electronic warfare challenges that have plagued Ukraine, Taiwan has outfitted the Endeavor Manta with various remote control communication modes, ensuring reliable operation even in contested environments. Adding to its tactical versatility, the vessel also features a swarm control mode, allowing for the coordinated deployment of multiple unmanned units, which can effectively overwhelm adversarial forces.
The Endeavor Manta can be launched from landing platform docks, including the Yushan-class vessel, which is capable of carrying up to 20 USVs. Furthermore, a single control station is capable of managing up to 50 Endeavor Mantas simultaneously, enhancing Taiwan’s operational capacity and responsiveness in maritime engagements. This innovative development underscores Taiwan’s commitment to bolstering its asymmetric warfare capabilities in the face of increasing regional threats.
