Providence, R.I. – September 16, 2026 -- Havoc, a U.S. collaborative autonomy company, and CSBC Corporation, Taiwan, the island's largest shipbuilder, have signed a partnership to pursue licensed co-production of autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) for Taiwan's maritime security.
Partnership pairs U.S. autonomy software with Taiwan-built hulls
Under the agreement, Havoc's collaborative autonomy software will be integrated onto ASV platforms built by CSBC in Taiwan, with production and lifecycle sustainment handled locally. The deal targets Taiwan's domestic shipbuilding capacity, headquartered in Kaohsiung with shipyards in Kaohsiung and Keelung, founded in 1973.
Deal aligns with FY2026 NDAA Section 1266 mandate on uncrewed systems
The structure is designed to comply with Section 1266 of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which directs U.S.-Taiwan co-production of uncrewed systems. It also matches Taiwan's published self-reliant defense policy calling for autonomous platforms mass-produced, maintained, and upgraded domestically.
CSBC chairman ties deal to indigenous defense industrial base
CSBC Chairman Jeng-Horng Cheng said the partnership combines the company's shipbuilding, production, and lifecycle support capabilities with Havoc's autonomy technology while strengthening Taiwan's domestic supply chain and defense industrial base.
Havoc CEO signals model for other Indo-Pacific partners
Havoc Co-Founder and CEO Paul Lwin said the arrangement delivers American autonomy software paired with Taiwan-built platforms and Taiwan workforce, calling it a model the company intends to replicate with other partners. Havoc and CSBC stated the co-production framework is designed to be repeatable across the Indo-Pacific for partners seeking autonomous maritime capability built on their own industrial base.
The signing ceremony was livestreamed from Havoc's headquarters in Providence, Rhode Island, at 4:30 p.m. ET.