Taiwanese shipbuilder CSBC Corp today said it is planning to release a prototype uncrewed surface vehicle (USV), or drone boat, for use by the military in the early part of this year.
The USV prototype, which was built by a team set up last year, is currently undergoing testing and is scheduled to be released in the first quarter, CSBC spokesman Chou Chih-ming (周志明) said at a company-organized media day.
Photo: Taipei Times
The USV would initially be used for military purposes, although the finalized version of the vessel could eventually be authorized for commercial or civilian use, Chou said.
CSBC did not provide additional details on the USV, other than to say it has a "China-free supply chain" and was mostly built with Taiwanese materials and parts.
Military affairs experts have urged Taiwan in recent years to ramp up production of uncrewed aerial, surface and underwater vehicles, citing their low cost and effective use in the Russia-Ukraine war.
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