Latest news with #Yilan
Al Arabiya
18-06-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Taiwan tests sea drones as China keeps up military pressure
A Taiwanese-made sea drone capable of carrying bombs skimmed across waters off the island Tuesday in a display of uncrewed surface vehicles that could boost its military firepower against China. With Beijing sustaining military pressure on the island, Taiwan is increasing investment in aerial and maritime drones, which have been widely used in Russia's war in Ukraine to outfox traditional heavy weaponry. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control. Twelve local and foreign companies took part in an uncrewed sea vehicle (USV) demonstration hosted by the government's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology in Yilan, southeast of Taipei. It was an opportunity for 'potential clients such as the military and coast guard' to collect data from the drone manufacturers for future mass production, the institute said in a statement. Taiwanese shipbuilder Lungteh's Black Tide sea drone, which is designed to operate in 'contested environments,' was one of three USVs put through its paces. With a top speed of more than 43 knots (80 kilometres per hour; 50 miles per hour), the Black Tide can be used for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and 'one-way strike,' according to the company. Meanwhile, Carbon-Based Technology Inc.'s 'stealth' USV could carry bombs and was cheap enough to conduct 'sacrificial' missions, said company director Stacy Yu after the drone was tested. While President Lai Ching-te has pledged to make Taiwan 'the Asian hub' for drone production, there have been challenges to ramping up the island's output. Taiwan's annual production capacity for aerial drones is between 8,000 to 10,000 units—well below its 2028 target of 180,000 units, the Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology (DSET) said in a report on Monday. High manufacturing costs from using non-China components make it 'difficult for Taiwanese products to compete with Chinese-made products in the commercial market,' DSET analysts said. Limited domestic orders and a scarcity of foreign government contracts are also impeding 'further scaling' of production, the report said.
South China Morning Post
18-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Taiwan seals deal for Ukraine combat-tested drone software to counter Beijing
Read more about this: Taiwan has signed a partnership deal with US and Germany-based Auterion for drone software that has been tested on the battlefield in Ukraine. The technology was expected to be used to strengthen the self-ruled island's defences. According to information released about the deal signed on June 17, 2025, the Auterion software has been used in Ukrainian drones operating combat missions against Russian forces. The agreement could eventually lead to the technology being used in millions of drones deployed by Taiwan. The island is actively engaging both local and international defence innovators to showcase uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) technologies with potential military applications. As part of Taiwan's efforts, 12 companies – including seven from Taiwan and the others based in the US – are taking part in a two-day USV demonstration at Suao port in Taiwan's northeastern Yilan county. The government-backed National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, which organised the event, said data collected would be used to develop a standardised control system and modular platforms adaptable to missions, including patrol, search and rescue, environmental monitoring and logistics.
South China Morning Post
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Taiwanese, US firms display latest uncrewed surface vehicle tech with military potential
Taiwan is actively engaging both local and international defence innovators to showcase uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) technologies with potential military applications. Advertisement This comes as the island intensifies efforts to strengthen its asymmetric warfare capabilities, in response to growing threats from Beijing's People's Liberation Army. As part of the push, 12 companies – seven of them from Taiwan and the rest US-based – are taking part in a two-day USV demonstration that began on Tuesday at Suao port in northeastern Yilan county. The government-backed National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, which organised the event, said the data collected would be used to develop a standardised control system and modular platforms adaptable to missions including patrol, search and rescue, environmental monitoring, and logistics. 'The goal is to enhance flexibility, general applicability and production scalability for both military and civilian use,' the institute said in a statement. Advertisement
NHK
17-06-2025
- Business
- NHK
Exhibition in Taiwan tests domestically-developed sea drones
A public research institute in Taiwan has held an event featuring trial runs of Taiwanese-made sea drones. The government's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, or NCSIST, hosted a two-day exhibition that began on Tuesday in the northeastern county of Yilan facing the Pacific. This comes as China increases military pressure on Taiwan. Three Taiwanese firms tested their unmanned surface vehicles at sea, showing off highly advanced technology. Other local and foreign companies displayed sea drones they developed. Among them was an unmanned combat sea vehicle developed by Taiwanese manufacturer Thunder Tiger. It measures 8 meters in length and 2 meters in width. It boasts a top speed of more than 100 kilometers per hour. The maker says it is capable of carrying 1,300 to 1,500 kilograms of explosives and equipment. Taiwan's Defense Ministry has been promoting an "asymmetric warfare" strategy to counter China's massive military prowess with low-cost, agile weaponry. It has been focusing on the development of aerial and maritime drones. NCSIST President Li Shih-chiang expressed the intention to strengthen the partnership between the military and the private sector. He said the use of the highest quality sea drones by Taiwan's military will bring about a more effective deterrent.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Taiwan tests sea drones as China keeps up military pressure
A Taiwanese-made sea drone capable of carrying bombs skimmed across waters off the island Tuesday in a display of uncrewed surface vehicles that could boost its military firepower against China. With Beijing sustaining military pressure on the island, Taiwan is increasing investment in aerial and maritime drones, which have been widely used in Russia's war in Ukraine to outfox traditional heavy weaponry. China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control. Twelve local and foreign companies took part in an Uncrewed Sea Vehicle (USV) demonstration hosted by the government's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology in Yilan, southeast of Taipei. It was an opportunity for "potential clients such as the military and coast guard" to collect data from the drone manufacturers for future mass production, the institute said in a statement. Taiwanese shipbuilder Lungteh's Black Tide sea drone, which is designed to operate in "contested environments", was one of three USVs put through its paces. With a top speed of more than 43 knots (80 kilometres per hour; 50 miles per hour), the Black Tide can be used for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and "one-way strike", according to the company. Meanwhile, Carbon-Based Technology Inc's "stealth" USV could carry bombs and was cheap enough to conduct "sacrificial" missions, said company director Stacy Yu after the drone was tested. While President Lai Ching-te has pledged to make Taiwan "the Asian hub" for drone production, there have been challenges to ramping up the island's output. Taiwan's annual production capacity for aerial drones is between 8,000 to 10,000 units, well below its 2028 target of 180,000 units, the Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology (DSET) said in a report on Monday. High manufacturing costs from using non-China components made it "difficult for Taiwanese products to compete with Chinese-made products in the commercial market," DSET analysts said. And limited domestic orders and a scarcity of foreign government contracts were also impeding "further scaling" of production, it said. aw-joy/amj/ecl
