Ukraine’s Magura V5 and Sea Baby Inspire Taiwan’s Development of Innovative Sea Drone

Taiwan has unveiled a new maritime drone platform named Endeavor Manta, developed by the island’s state-owned shipbuilding corporation CSBC. The drone is intended to enhance Taiwan's defensive capabilities.

According to Defense Express on March 25, CSBC President Huang Cheng-hung directly referenced Ukraine’s use of sea drones as a model for effective asymmetric warfare.

The Endeavor Manta is designed as a multipurpose uncrewed surface vessel, capable of acting either as an armed platform or a attack drone. Built in a trimaran configuration, the drone measures 8.6 meters in length and 3.7 meters in width, with a payload capacity of one ton and a top speed of 35 knots (approximately 65 km/h). It features stealth-like angular shapes aimed at reducing radar visibility.

The platform was showcased in both photos and video footage shared by Taiwanese media, revealing a cockpit, which suggests the drone can be optionally piloted. This feature may facilitate testing or enable more flexible operational use.

The drone integrates a variety of communication systems, including satellite, 4G mobile, and standard radio connections. While the specific satellite provider has not been officially disclosed, the design of the drone’s satellite dome resembles equipment used by OneWeb, a network owned by Eutelsat.

During the presentation, CSBC confirmed that 45% of the drone’s cost is attributed to its satellite communications system, further indicating a likely use of OneWeb.

The inclusion of 4G and radio links reflects the drone’s intended operational environment—coastal defense against naval vessels approaching Taiwan’s shores. CSBC also highlighted the drone’s advanced autonomous navigation capabilities and its suitability for swarm operations.

A single control station can manage up to 50 units simultaneously, with drones capable of conducting suicide attacks or deploying small torpedoes.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Magura V5 maritime drone, armed with R-73 missiles, destroyed two Russian Mi-8 helicopters and damaged a third near Crimea on December 31, according to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence. Russian sources confirmed the losses, and Ukrainian officials noted the strike as a direct response to Russian tactics using helicopters against unmanned vessels.