Taiwan plans to spend $930 million expanding its fleet of sea drones, combining local shipbuilding expertise with US technology. The goal is to protect outlying islands, particularly Kinmen and Matsu, against growing maritime threats from China. The program targets 1,320 unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and includes an order for 25 USVs and 2 underwater drones, with prototype testing scheduled for early 2027. The allocated budget reaches NT$210 billion (approximately $6.6 billion) over five to six years, including NT$40 billion (approximately $1.26 billion) annually for six years dedicated to the unmanned vehicle industry development. Taiwanese companies such as Thunder Tiger and CSBC Corp. are participating in prototype development alongside American partners.
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