Taiwan Trials Explosive Sea Drones to Deter China

Taiwan is developing maritime drones as part of a new defense strategy inspired by Ukraine's effective use of similar technology against Russia. These uncrewed, remotely controlled vessels, capable of carrying large explosives and traveling hundreds of kilometers, are seen as a cost-effective way to deter potential Chinese aggression by creating uncertainty in the Taiwan Strait. Supported by the United States, Taiwan's military is shifting towards asymmetric warfare, focusing on mobile, smaller, and affordable weapons to counterbalance China's superior naval forces. The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology leads the "Swift and Sudden" project, with an initial budget of around $27 million, and plans to include maritime drones in upcoming defense spending. Several Taiwanese companies, along with foreign partners such as the US defense contractor Huntington Ingalls, are collaborating to advance unmanned surface vehicle technology for Taiwan's arsenal. Lawmakers and defense officials emphasize that these sea drones add a new layer of unpredictability and deterrence, enhancing Taiwan's defense capabilities against China’s ongoing military pressure.