Taiwan Begins Testing Black Whale XL Underwater Drone as China Expands Naval Pressure Near Island.

Taiwan has begun initial launch trials of its new Black Whale underwater drone, developed by Taiwanese shipbuilder Lungteh Shipbuilding in cooperation with British companies MSubs and Marine AI. Tested at Su'ao Harbor in Yilan County, the nine-meter autonomous underwater vehicle is intended to support the development of new maritime surveillance, underwater reconnaissance, and asymmetric defense capabilities as Taiwan faces growing military pressure from China.

Taiwan's Black Whale extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle undergoes its first launch test at Su'ao Harbor in Yilan County on November 11, 2026. (Picture source: Li Chung-wei / PeoPo)

Key Tactical Insights:

• First Underwater Trials: Taiwan began testing the nine-meter Black Whale extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle on November 11, 2026, at Su'ao Harbor in Yilan County.
  
  
• International Development: Taiwan's Lungteh Shipbuilding developed the Black Whale with British companies MSubs and Marine AI to evaluate autonomous navigation and modular underwater payload integration.
  
  
• Maritime Surveillance Potential: The Black Whale could support Taiwan's underwater reconnaissance, mine countermeasures, and maritime surveillance missions, although its operational capabilities remain unconfirmed.

The Black Whale belongs to the extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle (XLUUV) category. It is primarily intended as an experimental platform for validating navigation technologies, communication systems, and the integration of mission-specific payloads. Its development comes as Taiwan seeks to diversify its naval capabilities, particularly through uncrewed systems designed to operate in contested maritime environments.

According to information published by Taiwanese outlet PeoPo on November 12, 2026, the Black Whale conducted its first launch test on November 11 at Su'ao Harbor, without a prior official announcement. The event marks the beginning of a new evaluation phase for a program first publicly presented by Lungteh Shipbuilding at the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition in September 2025. No procurement decision by the Taiwanese Navy or operational deployment timeline has been announced.

Related News: Taiwan Unveils Torpedo Launch Tube of Huilong Unmanned Underwater Vehicle

Black Whale Combines Modular Architecture With British Underwater Technology

Measuring approximately nine meters in length, the Black Whale features a streamlined hull designed for underwater movement and a modular architecture capable of accommodating different equipment configurations depending on mission requirements. The vehicle is designed to operate autonomously, including in environments where conventional radio communications are severely restricted by the propagation characteristics of seawater. However, its propulsion system, maximum speed, operating depth, and endurance have not been officially disclosed.

MSubs' involvement is particularly relevant to the program. The British company has experience developing autonomous underwater vehicles, including the XV Excalibur for the Royal Navy. This partnership could allow Lungteh Shipbuilding to draw on established expertise in integrating navigation systems and onboard equipment. However, the technologies shared between the different platforms have not been specified.

Taiwan Continues Underwater Drone Development Following Huilong Trials

The Black Whale follows earlier work on the Huilong program, developed by Lungteh Shipbuilding and the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST). Presented in 2024, the experimental vehicle measures approximately 30 meters in length, with an estimated displacement of 100 tonnes. It features two visible forward-mounted tubes, a five-bladed propeller, and X-shaped stern control surfaces. Its testing program includes work involving sonar systems, underwater mines, and the integration of SUT heavyweight torpedoes.

Unlike the considerably larger Huilong, the Black Whale uses a more compact and modular design. The two programs could therefore contribute to complementary technological capabilities, ranging from weapons integration trials to the development of autonomous vehicles that can be deployed with fewer logistical requirements. These efforts are taking place alongside Taiwan's work on uncrewed surface vessels, including the Kuai Chi and Black Tide projects, also associated with Lungteh Shipbuilding.

Britain's XV Excalibur and Australia's Ghost Shark Demonstrate Emerging Underwater Drone Capabilities

In the United Kingdom, MSubs is developing the XV Excalibur under the Royal Navy's Cetus program. Measuring 12 meters in length and two meters in width, with a displacement of 19 tonnes, the experimental vehicle reached a new milestone in September 2026 when it successfully launched a U.S.-made Mk 48 Mod 4 heavyweight torpedo during trials off the Scottish coast. The test demonstrated the feasibility of integrating underwater weapons into an autonomous platform, although no comparable capability has been confirmed for the Black Whale.

Australia is pursuing a more advanced industrial approach with the Ghost Shark, developed by Anduril for the Royal Australian Navy. In September 2025, Canberra awarded a contract worth AUD 1.7 billion for the production and development of these underwater vehicles. In October 2026, Australian authorities also presented several mission payloads, including the capacity to carry 12 naval mines, logistics modules, and ALTIUS aerial drones. These systems illustrate how autonomous underwater platforms are evolving toward missions combining surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike capabilities.

Underwater Drones Could Strengthen Taiwan's Maritime Defense

For Taiwan's armed forces, vehicles such as the Black Whale could support surveillance of approaches to naval bases, detection of suspicious underwater activity, and reconnaissance of areas potentially threatened by naval mines. Their deployment could also contribute to protecting undersea cables and monitoring strategic shipping routes. Such missions would nevertheless require suitable sensors, accurate navigation systems, and sufficient endurance to cover the necessary operating distances.

The development of these systems addresses a major geographical constraint. Taiwan depends heavily on its ports and maritime lines of communication, which could be threatened by a blockade or Chinese naval operations. Underwater drones could complement conventional submarines and coastal surveillance networks while reducing the exposure of military personnel in contested waters.

The Black Whale's first launch comes amid increasing Chinese military pressure around Taiwan and Beijing's continued modernization of its naval capabilities. Cooperation with British companies also highlights the role of international technology partnerships in the development of Taiwan's defense industry. If upcoming trials confirm its performance, the Black Whale could contribute to broader surveillance of the island's maritime approaches and complicate Chinese naval operations during a potential crisis in the Taiwan Strait.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in Security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.

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