2025 Defense Report Warns of Growing Gray-Zone, Asymmetric Threats
Taiwan’s 2025 National Defense Report warns that China is accelerating military modernization and employing a mix of conventional and unconventional tactics, ranging from gray-zone operations to direct military actions.
Taiwan’s Military Faces Intensifying Pressure From Beijing
REPORTER:
A new defense report says Beijing is ramping up its use of gray-zone warfare, as part of an effort to intimidate Taiwan.
REPORTER:
Taiwan’s 2025 national defense report, released on Thursday, says China is speeding up its military modernization and has been combining conventional and unconventional tools, from gray-zone tactics to military measures.
The main content highlights the concrete results of Taiwan’s defense policies over the past two years, including specific actions and data to demonstrate transparency in national defense.
Domestically, it aims to increase public understanding and support for defense efforts, while externally, it shows the international community Taiwan’s commitment to regional peace, stability and self-defense.
REPORTER:
The report highlights Taiwan’s plans to focus on using asymmetric tactics and decentralized operations, not just on land, sea and air, but also in cyberspace, in a concept called multi-domain denial.
It calls for more practical training, improved joint operations, and a stronger reserve force, in the hopes of deterring Chinese military provocations and safeguarding the Taiwan Strait and broader Indo-Pacific region.
Multi-domain denial is about building layered, in-depth defenses. It follows regional strategic policy and adopts an asymmetric-warfare mindset. Tailored to different enemy threat types and modes of operation, it develops customized tactics and methods to secure victory.
REPORTER:
Taiwan has recently been facing a surge in drone harassment from China, also part of Beijing’s gray-zone tactics.
The report says troops will stay alert to these threats by conducting more night drills, and equipping them with jamming guns, rifles, and machine guns, with the goal of eventually deploying dedicated counter-drone systems.
Printed copies of the report are now on sale at select bookstores. It’s also available online and in English—a sign the Defense Ministry wants the world to understand the threats Taiwan is facing.
