Taiwan is currently in the process of developing innovative sea drones and a laser weapon system, drawing inspiration from the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

A global competition is unfolding to create compact drones and laser-based directed-energy weaponry that could potentially reshape the nature of future warfare.

Following careful observation of developments in the Ukraine conflict, Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) has launched the development of two uncrewed surface vessel (USV) prototypes, as reported by The Liberty Times.

Ukraine has effectively deployed sea drones against Russian warships since the commencement of the 2022 war, Newsweek reported.

It is documented to have executed a minimum of 13 sea-drone operations against Russian military vessels, including assaults on Russia’s naval base in Sevastopol and Novorossiysk harbor.

The Taiwanese sea drones have the capacity to fulfill a dual role, enabling surprise attacks and providing a countermeasure against potential threats from Chinese warships when necessary.

The mass production of these two sea drone prototypes may commence in 2026, contingent upon their successful completion of the Taiwanese military’s combat evaluation.

Written by B.C. Begley