A Taiwanese shipbuilder is gaining international attention for its stealth unmanned surface vessel (USV), highlighting the growing market for autonomous naval technology as countries seek to bolster their maritime defense capabilities.
Corum International Corporation's Piranha 9, a 9-meter USV capable of reaching speeds up to 55 knots, has drawn interest from military and coast guard buyers across Southeast Asia, Central America, and Europe, according to GM Pablo Tseng.
"We're seeing inquiries from various nations, including Israel and non-diplomatic allies in Central America seeking drug interdiction capabilities," said Tseng. "Several countries have even requested complete technology transfer and shipyard construction capabilities."
The vessel represents a shift in naval warfare strategy from traditional one-to-one engagement to distributed combat systems. The Piranha 9 can operate in swarms of up to 99 vessels simultaneously, targeting larger ships in coordinated attacks - a capability that Tseng says is particularly relevant for countering larger vessels.
Source: Corum International Corporation
French and US defense contractors have approached the company for potential collaboration, recognizing Taiwan's cost-competitive manufacturing capabilities. A Boston-based maritime surveillance company is exploring integration of the vessels into its global coastal monitoring operations, while a French USV manufacturer is seeking supply chain partnerships in Taiwan.
The Piranha 9's development reflects growing sophistication in Taiwan's defense industry. The vessel features radar-absorbing materials and autonomous navigation capabilities and can carry a payload of up to 850 kilograms. It's designed to operate in rough seas with self-righting capabilities and can be deployed from standard shipping containers.
However, Tseng notes that regulatory hurdles in Taiwan have pushed the company to focus on international markets. "Taiwan's regulations for testing unmanned vessels are significantly behind global standards," he said, citing requirements for human operators aboard vessels designed without manual controls.
The company has also observed increasing interest from non-traditional players in the autonomous vessel market, including technology companies and machine tool manufacturers. But Tseng warns that maritime engineering expertise remains crucial. "Many think it's simple to design vessels that float, but they often overlook critical stability calculations and seaworthiness requirements," he said.
Corum International plans to unveil a more comprehensive combat system by September 2025. The company is currently developing a mother ship concept to control multiple unmanned vessels, though Tseng declined to provide specific details about the project's costs.
The global push for autonomous naval capabilities comes as maritime nations seek to protect their exclusive economic zones, which typically extend 200 nautical miles from shore. Brazil's navy, for instance, is already using unmanned vessels for submarine operations security, deploying them ahead of submarine movements to ensure safe passage.