Taiwan is teaming up with American undersea defense technology firm Vatn Systems to support its naval modernization efforts and localize sustainment capacity.
Taiwan is teaming up with American undersea defense technology firm Vatn Systems to support its naval modernization efforts and localize sustainment capacity.
The US company signed a memorandum of understanding with Taiwan's government-owned National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), establishing a framework to jointly develop artificial intelligence-enabled command-and-control systems and field autonomous underwater vehicles.
Both entities will also explore the creation of a supply chain and sustainment support based on the self-governed island.
"Taiwan is one of many allies rethinking what undersea defense looks like, and we're glad NCSIST sees Vatn as an integral part of that conversation," said Vatn Systems Co-founder and CEO Nelson Mills.
"Building affordable undersea autonomy for US and allied partners and deploying that capability at scale is core to our strategy, and this agreement gives us a chance to explore how that technology can support Taiwan's naval modernization efforts,” he added.
Taipei’s latest collaboration is one of its efforts to counter China’s intensified deployment of military aircraft, warships, and coast guard vessels around the island to assert its claim of sovereignty.
Undersea Capabilities
Vatn produces several undersea capabilities, such as the low-cost and modular Skelmir S12 autonomous underwater vehicle, which is planned for fielding as per the company’s latest agreement with NCSIST.
Last month, the Rhode Island-based firm introduced an all-in-one autonomous mine countermeasure system named “SIGURD.”
It also developed an inertial navigation system said to cost less than traditional systems to boost underwater and surface navigation in GPS-denied environments.
