CSBC Corporation Taiwan revealed its first unmanned vessel called “Fierce Devil Ray” on Monday, developed by a previously secret team formed in response to lessons from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The autonomous vessel features a trimaran design to enhance seaworthiness in challenging maritime conditions, according to CSBC Chairman Cheng-Hung Huang. The company emphasized its six key features, including being free of Chinese components, high cost-performance ratio, and MIT-developed remote control systems.
Priced from NT$10 million (US$310,000) for the basic model to NT$50 million (US$1.55 million) for the military version without weapons, the vessel can be produced within six to eight weeks of ordering. Industry watchers note that Taiwan’s military is likely to be among the primary customers, with government officials reportedly monitoring the project’s development.
The shipbuilder completed development and testing in just one year, demonstrating its technical capabilities in naval construction. While CSBC is prioritizing military clients in geopolitically sensitive regions, the company states the vessel can also serve civilian purposes including harbor patrol, offshore wind farm security, and rescue operations.
