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Miguel Jorge
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In mid-March, images revealed China’s latest invention. The structures, hard to hide, closely resembled the Mulberry harbors used by the Allies to invade Normandy in World War II. These artificial platforms, seemingly ready for a coastal invasion, alarmed Taiwan. The island responded with heightened defenses and an innovation inspired by Ukraine: the Endeavor Manta.
The first naval drone. Taiwan officially unveiled the Endeavor Manta, a new uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) designed by the state-owned China Shipbuilding Corp. (CSBC) to bolster defenses against possible aggression from Beijing across the Taiwan Strait. The naval drone marks a milestone as the first such system developed for the island.
The Ukrainian precedent. Since 2022, Ukraine has destroyed more than a third of Russia’s Black Sea fleet through naval drone strikes and long-range munitions, proving that agile and inexpensive unmanned systems can weaken a traditional maritime force.
Taipei and Washington have studied this defense, recognizing that a potential conflict with China would involve massive drone warfare across multiple domains.
Design and capabilities. The Endeavor Manta measures just over 28 feet long and 12 feet wide. When fully loaded, it weighs more than five tons. Made of fiber-reinforced plastic, it has a payload capacity of more than one ton and can reach speeds exceeding 35 knots with two outboard engines.
Its trimaran hull adapts to the rough conditions of the Taiwan Strait, providing excellent stability. Although the current model has a cockpit, details remain unclear on whether this is a reaction to tests or if Taiwan plans a manned variant.
Swarm technology and operation. The USV incorporates multiple communication systems, including 4G, line-of-sight radios, and satellite links, allowing remote control from ground centers. In the event of jamming or hacking, the system can operate autonomously to return to base and self-destruct if captured.
It features autonomous navigation with collision avoidance, target recognition through AI systems, and anti-hijacking capabilities. Its architecture enables swarm operations, allowing a single operator to command up to 50 units. Taiwan’s forces can integrate them with other drones and satellite guidance systems.
This U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency map offers a somewhat basic view of the forces China's People's Liberation Army has deployed along the mainland facing Taiwan.
Attack and logistics. In combat, the Endeavor Manta can carry light torpedoes, likely mounted externally due to its size, and function as a kamikaze vehicle with an explosive charge in the bow. Its compact design and mobility allow operators to launch it from small harbors, beaches, and remote islands.
Taiwan’s navy can easily transport it on trucks for rapid deployment, favoring surprise operations. Ships such as the Yushan can carry more than 20 Manta drones at a time, exponentially increasing operational capacity.
Domestic production and low cost. This is one of the system’s key advantages. The Manta is a low-cost platform, produced mainly with Taiwanese components, except for the satellite navigation system and engines. Although it won’t participate in the upcoming USV competition organized by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, CSBC remains confident the Taiwanese navy and civilian agencies will adopt it.
This development aligns with Taiwan’s broader national strategy to strengthen asymmetric warfare through the mass deployment of inexpensive, autonomous drones.
A network of drones to deter China. According to The War Zone, the Endeavor Manta fits into an emerging doctrine known as Hellscape, promoted by the U.S.. This strategy proposes saturating the battlefield with unmanned vehicles to prevent an invasion.
So far, Taiwan has focused on aerial drones purchased from Washington, particularly loitering munitions such as the Switchblade 300 and ALTIUS 600M, alongside locally developed versions. The Manta, however, expands this operational scope into the maritime domain. Its primary targets would be landing ships and other People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels in the event of open conflict.
Additional surveillance. Beyond its offensive role, Taiwan has stated that the Manta can also conduct reconnaissance and surveillance, operating in a network to enhance the situational awareness of Taiwanese forces. This versatility makes it a critical asset in coastal defense, complementing anti-ship missiles, anti-tank guided missiles, and other defensive systems designed to deter a massive amphibious invasion.
Better late than never. Taiwan lags in developing key equipment suited to its geography, particularly when compared to the USVs of other nations. However, the Manta arrives at a crucial time. The U.S. and Taiwan have already warned that China could attempt an invasion, possibly before 2027. In such a scenario, drones—air, land, and sea—are expected to play a critical role.
Beijing has also invested heavily in unmanned capabilities, suggesting that future conflict in the region could mirror Ukraine’s war of technological swarms. If so, the Endeavor Manta could become a key element of Taiwan’s defense strategy, provided it is deployed in sufficient numbers and properly integrated.
Images | Taiwan Ministry of National Defense | DOD
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