Taiwan develops Manta sea drone to boost military capabilities

Taiwan has initiated the development of the Manta, a small autonomous vessel designed to operate in the challenging conditions of the Taiwan Strait. The Manta is being developed to enhance the capabilities of the Taiwanese Navy and civil defense groups, offering them new asymmetric strategies in potential conflict scenarios. This vessel is specifically built with a lightweight fiber-reinforced plastic hull that minimizes radar detection, crucial in military operations, especially if an invasion were to occur, as ports would likely be targeted. The Taiwanese military is looking to strengthen its maritime defense by integrating advanced technology into its arsenal. The Manta is versatile, capable of functioning using various communication methods, including 4G, radio frequency, or satellite guidance. In the event that the drone was captured by an enemy, it has a self-destruct mechanism to prevent valuable technology from falling into hostile hands. The vessel can also serve offensively; after firing its torpedoes, it can be used as a kamikaze drone, impacting enemy vessels with an explosive charge. This form of asymmetric warfare aligns with Taiwan's broader military strategy, shifting focus towards capabilities that could level the playing field against larger adversaries. Historically, the Taiwanese military struggled to adopt asymmetric military capabilities due to institutional ideologies and reliance on the United States for security assurances. However, military strategies have begun to change under new leadership focused on adaptability and innovative combat tactics. In 2018, Admiral Lee Hsi-ming advocated for a strategic shift, leading to the development of fast attack missile boats aimed at swarming tactics against the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). This transition in military doctrine emphasizes the importance of deterrence and the need for agile responses to increasing threats in the region. As a part of the efforts to improve Taiwan's defensive posture, U.S. policymakers have been advised to provide more concrete security assurances rather than maintaining a position of strategic ambiguity. The Biden administration expressed a willingness to intervene in the case of an invasion, while both recent and former administrations have emphasized the need for increased military cooperation. Sustainable support from the U.S. is essential as Taiwan works to procure weapons suitable for its evolving military needs focused on asymmetric warfare, leading to a more robust naval capability represented by innovations like the Endeavor Manta.