Taiwan has showcased unmanned maritime systems developed by Taiwanese and foreign companies as part of its efforts to expand its ability to monitor surrounding waters and collect its own maritime information.
What happened
The demonstrations, which took place at Anping Harbor in the southern city of Tainan, featured five systems from Taiwanese, U.S., and Singaporean companies, including boats capable of operating without crews and underwater vehicles equipped with sonar.
Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling emphasized the need for Taiwan to develop its own maritime research capabilities and databases, citing Chinese gray-zone activities, illegal fishing, and maritime security as challenges driving the effort.
The Taiwanese National Academy of Marine Research has been developing a national ocean radar observation network since 2025, with plans to expand coverage from 155,000 to 210,000 square kilometers.
The government has also approved a four-year program worth NT$614 million to develop maritime security monitoring, emergency response information systems, and related technologies.
