Haikun ship's sea test partners show up, Taiwan ship demonstrates unmanned surface vehicle technology to win orders

The Endeavor Manta Ray was put on public display at the exhibition venue for the first time, attracting attention. (Provided by Taiwan Shipping)

[Reporter Hong Chenhong/Reported by Kaohsiung] The Underwater Noise Association held the first "2026 Taiwan Marine Technology and Unmanned Vehicle Exhibition" to be held tomorrow (3rd). The Taiwanese unmanned ship "Endeavour Manta", which accompanied the national submarine Haikun on its sea survey, was brought into the exhibition venue for the first time. The Taiwanese ship also joined hands with the American Havoc company team to display Havoc "Rampage" and other unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). The outside world believes that exhibitors regard the exhibition as a stepping stone to win orders from the Navy. Regarding this, Chen Zhenghong, chairman of Taiwan Shipbuilding Corporation, said that many of them are speculation or rumors. They will wait for the Navy's official bidding documents or instructions to make a judgment. Taiwan Shipbuilding Corporation will do its best to win.

The "2026 Taiwan Marine Technology and Unmanned Vehicle Exhibition" held a portside demonstration at the Tainan Formosa Yacht Hotel Pier. Vice President Hsiao Meiqin attended the visit. It will be exhibited at the Greater Tainan Convention and Exhibition Center from tomorrow to the 5th, gathering 88 exhibitors, including 66 from Taiwan, 22 from overseas, and a total of 17 units from the United States.

The Endeavor Devil Ray recently accompanied the Haikun, the first domestically built ship, in its sea trials. (Photo by reporter Li Huizhou)

The Navy will invest 30 billion yuan to build 1,320 small suicide unmanned boats. If approved by the Legislative Yuan, the budget will be spent as soon as the end of the year. More than 3 billion yuan will be allocated in the first year and 120 unmanned boats and related ancillary equipment will be prioritized, making this exhibition particularly important.

Taiwan Shipbuilding said that Taiwan Shipbuilding Corporation and the American Havoc company team displayed Taiwan Shipbuilding's self-made "Endeavour Manta" and Havoc "Rampage" and other unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) on site. The morning session started at 10:30 a.m. on the 3rd at Taiwan Shipbuilding Corporation's booth M501. Taiwan Shipbuilding General Manager Cai Kunzong and Havoc CEO Paul attended. The afternoon session started at 4 p.m. on the main stage and was attended by the Havoc team.

The Taiwan ship pointed out that the Endeavor Stingray is tailor-made for operations in the Taiwan Strait. Taking the Yushan warship as an example, it can carry more than 20 ships at a time, and a single remote control station can control up to 50 ships. It can use the satellite 3D system and drones to perform tasks.