Taiwan teams up with US start-up on underwater drones to boost island’s defences

Taiwan has inked a pact with US defense startup Vatn Systems to develop autonomous underwater drones and bolster its defensive capabilities against China's military pressure. The agreement, overseen by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), signifies a series of steps to enhance the island's unmanned underwater assets.

The memorandum of understanding signed recently, outlines plans for NCSIST and Vatn to investigate AI-driven command-and-control systems, deploy unmanned underwater vehicles (AUVs), and establish supply-chain and maintenance support within Taiwan. NCSIST claims this partnership will leverage overseas technology with local industrial and research resources to expedite AUV development and integration, while reinforcing underwater reconnaissance and maritime defense strength.

Vatn's CEO, Nelson Mills, stated that the collaboration aims to build affordable undersea autonomy for US and allied partners, paving the way for its deployment at scale to support Taiwan's naval modernization. The deal encompasses plans to field Vatn's S12 AUV, according to the company. As Taiwan increasingly leans on unmanned underwater systems for surveillance, seabed mapping, mine countermeasures, and critical infrastructure protection, the partnership also explores potential military applications in response to the ongoing cross-strait tensions.

Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of China, has not ruled out the use of force to reunify the island. While most countries, including the US, Taiwan's primary international ally, do not recognize Taiwan as an independent state, Washington opposes any attempt to take Taiwan by force. NCSIST has also intensified cooperation with US defense tech company Anduril Industries, from which it is acquiring a Dive-LD AUV capable of operating at depths up to 6,000 meters and remaining submerged for about 10 days at low speed.

NCSIST officials say experience operating the Dive-LD will help them improve their own technologies in autonomous navigation, sensor integration, modular payloads, and low-cost production.