TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan showcased its first domestically produced remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) at Keelung Port on May 8, bolstering its defense autonomy policy. Similar to its approach with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Taiwan military seeks to enhance defense operations by partnering with manufacturers to develop ROVs.
Chan Hsiang-chih (湛翔智), general manager of Awareocean Technology Co., Ltd. (知洋科技), conducted tests on the ROV Delphin, also known as Taihe No. 1 (台和一號). This unmanned vehicle was developed under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA, 經濟部) technology development program, adhering to President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) "non-red supply chain" (非紅供應鏈) principle. While subsystems like sonar and sensors are imported from Europe and the United States, domestic components include computers, controllers and software.
The Navy has collaborated with the development team on practical mine-hunting execution, particularly in low-visibility shallow waters where sonar is essential. Chan noted that Taihe No. 1 uses sonar positioning to provide commanders with critical information such as latitude and longitude coordinates.
The primary mission of the newly unveiled version is to detonate enemy mines. Another version featuring side-scan sonar to detect bottom mines is under development, with the military expecting to increase the vehicle's speed to expand its search area.
Chen Yen-ting (陳彥廷), chairman of the Taiwan Defense Association (台灣防禦協會), emphasized the immediate combat capability of using remotely operated vehicles for mine clearance, given the Taiwan Navy's current lack of autonomous underwater vehicles. However, these unmanned vehicles still face challenges in Taiwan's waters.
Taiwan Thinktank (台灣智庫) Advisory Committee member Zhou Yu-ping (周宇平) highlighted the need for high standards in sonar detection range and control distance due to challenges posed by deep-sea currents. Chen suggested the government consider civilian applications for these unmanned vehicles to ensure manufacturers have sufficient market demand beyond military contracts.
Unmanned vehicles, both UAVs and ROVs, have gained prominence on battlefields during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, revealing new possibilities for the arms industry. Given Taiwan's strategic location and geographical considerations, developing autonomous production capabilities—from sonar systems to optics integration—will strengthen Taiwan's national defense and enhance its security posture.