Taiwan demonstrated unmanned maritime systems developed by Taiwanese and foreign companies on Nov. 2 as its government expands its ability to monitor surrounding waters and collect its own maritime information amid Chinese pressure.
The demonstrations at Anping Harbor in the southern city of Tainan opened the 2026 Taiwan Marine Technology and Unmanned Vehicles Exhibition (MATURE Taiwan), which runs from Nov. 3 to Nov. 5. Five systems from Taiwanese, U.S., and Singaporean companies were presented, including boats capable of operating without crews and underwater vehicles equipped with sonar.
Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling said Taiwan must develop its own maritime research capabilities and databases rather than rely on others for information about its waters. She cited Chinese gray-zone activities, illegal fishing, and maritime security among the challenges driving the effort.
The initiatives come amid repeated Chinese Coast Guard operations around Taiwan. Taiwanese authorities have accused Beijing of using maritime patrols and radio broadcasts to assert jurisdiction over waters administered by Taipei—a tactic they described as cognitive warfare.
Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory, although the Chinese Communist Party has never governed the island. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
Building Taiwan’s Own Maritime Monitoring Network
The Taiwanese National Academy of Marine Research has been developing a national ocean radar observation network since 2025, with coverage intended to expand from 155,000 to 210,000 square kilometers (approximately 60,000 to 81,000 square miles).
Two new ocean survey vessels, Cheng-Po 101 and Cheng-Po 102, were launched in August to strengthen Taiwan’s ability to collect information about ocean conditions independently.
The Taiwanese Interior Ministry has also approved three testing areas for unmanned surface and underwater vehicles near Suao in the northeast, Budai on the western coast, and Linyuan in the south.
The areas cover a combined 14,207 hectares (about 35,100 acres). The council said the sites would simplify procedures for testing equipment at sea while accommodating existing shipping, fishing, and recreational activities.
The government has also approved a four-year program worth NT$614 million (approximately $19 million) to develop maritime security monitoring, emergency response information systems, and related technologies.
The council said the investments would strengthen Taiwan’s ability to collect and analyze information about maritime activity and support emergency response operations.
Unmanned Systems and International Cooperation
The Nov. 2 demonstrations included remotely controlled boats, vessels following programmed routes and operating together, and underwater systems using sonar to detect submerged objects.
Participating companies included Taiwan’s Thunder Tiger, U.S.–Taiwan partnership STR8, U.S.-based MARTAC, and underwater technology providers BeeX and Awareocean.
Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim attended the event alongside representatives of the American Institute in Taiwan, which handles U.S. relations with the island.
Hsiao said relatively inexpensive unmanned systems could perform some missions previously handled by larger vessels, allowing personnel and resources to be used more efficiently. She called for connecting sensors, communications equipment, and artificial intelligence across space, land, sea, and underwater platforms to create a network for monitoring maritime activity.
Taiwan’s domestic research efforts were also on display at the first 2026 Surface and Underwater Vehicle Demonstration Competition, held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 at Singda Harbor in Kaohsiung.
Twelve university teams presented unmanned surface vessels, remotely operated underwater robots, autonomous underwater vehicles, and human-powered submarines. Their projects included underwater object recognition, environmental data collection, and autonomous navigation.
The competition’s selected projects are scheduled to be displayed at MATURE Taiwan, with an awards ceremony on Nov. 3.
Taiwanese researchers are also developing ways to coordinate different types of unmanned aircraft for maritime patrols.
A separate National Cheng Kung University project uses artificial intelligence to coordinate fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing vertically. The research models three aircraft types—the JUMP-20, V-BAT, and Flexrotor—to develop a system in which aircraft can divide patrol assignments, adjust flight paths, and avoid obstacles as conditions change.
The team has completed a computer simulation involving 20 aircraft divided into two groups. Testing with physical equipment and actual flights over the sea remain future steps.
Taiwan’s maritime research also extends to protecting critical infrastructure. The Ocean Affairs Council has identified submarine cable detection and maintenance among its research priorities for projects beginning in 2027. Submarine cables carry international communications traffic, making their protection important to Taiwan’s connections with the outside world.
Hsiao also identified submarine cable protection, offshore wind facilities, and maritime communications among the areas in which Taiwan seeks international cooperation.
She said Taiwan hopes to combine its strengths in semiconductors, communications, and manufacturing with American and European expertise in system development and practical applications, moving unmanned technologies from testing toward deployment through joint development, technology cooperation, and domestic production.
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