Taiwan is stepping up its defense game in a big way, and the reason is clear: Chinese drones keep buzzing its airspace, especially over those tiny outlying islands that sit closer to the mainland than the main island itself. On October 9, 2025, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense released a report that leaves no room for doubt—anti-drone measures are now a top priority for the island’s military, part of a broader strategy to counter Beijing’s growing military assertiveness and so-called grey-zone tactics.
But what exactly does that mean for Taiwan’s armed forces? According to the report, the military is actively training soldiers to shoot down drones, with a particular emphasis on those stationed in the more vulnerable outlying islands. These islands, perched just miles from China’s coast, have seen an uptick in drone incursions—sometimes daily, sometimes more. The message from Taipei is unmistakable: these drones aren’t welcome, and Taiwan is gearing up to meet the challenge head-on.
Major General Sun Li-fang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, explained that both drone and anti-drone technologies are developing at breakneck speed. "Basically the drone development and anti-drone developments are very fast, and based on today’s situation, there’s different progress every day," he said, as reported by the Associated Press. "This is one of our key points in our military preparedness efforts." It’s not just about keeping up—it’s about staying one step ahead of an adversary that’s constantly testing boundaries.
China’s strategy, as outlined in the ministry’s report, increasingly relies on grey-zone tactics—actions that fall short of open warfare but still apply pressure. Drones are now a robust part of this playbook. The report details how Chinese forces have surrounded the island with military exercises, staged joint combat readiness patrols, and even conducted maritime and air blockades, all while stopping short of a direct attack. In April 2025, China launched a surprise military exercise around Taiwan, only to announce formal drills a day later, escalating the sense of unpredictability in the region.
For Taiwan, these maneuvers aren’t just theoretical threats—they’re lived realities. Soldiers on the outlying islands are now practicing night shooting, honing their skills to spot and neutralize drones under the cover of darkness. The Ministry of National Defense has made it clear: anti-drone training is non-negotiable, and new weapons systems are on the shopping list.
But Taiwan isn’t facing this challenge alone. The island has long relied on its relationship with the United States, its largest unofficial ally, to bolster its security in the face of Beijing’s ever-growing military might. That partnership has taken on new urgency as Chinese incursions have ramped up. In February 2025, Taiwan signed a $761 million deal with the U.S. for an advanced air defense system specifically designed to combat drone threats. This isn’t just about hardware—it’s about signaling to China that Taiwan has powerful friends and isn’t afraid to invest in its own defense.
This U.S.-Taiwan cooperation is about more than just arms sales. As Major General Liu Wenjing, director of Taiwan’s Strategic Research and Analysis Division of the War Planning Department, put it, "We will continue to strengthen our cooperative relationship through existing exchange mechanisms." According to reporting from Devdiscourse and the Associated Press, both sides see the partnership as a cornerstone of regional security—an alliance that aims to keep the peace even as tensions rise.
Yet, the relationship with Washington hasn’t been without its bumps. The Biden and Trump administrations have taken markedly different approaches to Taiwan. Earlier in July 2025, President Lai Ching-te canceled a planned U.S. stopover, reportedly due to opposition from the Trump administration. Many experts viewed this as a diplomatic win for China, which has always bristled at high-profile interactions between U.S. and Taiwanese leaders. Former President Donald Trump also demanded that Taiwan ramp up its defense spending to as much as 10% of GDP—a figure that would dwarf the defense budgets of most American allies and even the U.S. itself.
Taiwan’s current defense spending stands at about 3% of its GDP, but there’s movement on that front. On October 8, 2025, Defense Minister Wellington Koo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to raise that figure to roughly 5%. It’s a significant jump, but still far short of Trump’s extraordinary demand. The goal, according to Koo and other officials, is to ensure Taiwan has the resources it needs to defend itself without bankrupting the nation.
So, what’s at stake here? For Taiwan, the threat isn’t just about drones or even military exercises—it’s about survival in the face of an increasingly assertive neighbor that claims the island as its own. China’s use of grey-zone tactics, including drone incursions, Coast Guard patrols, and even boarding Taiwanese fishing vessels, is designed to keep Taiwan off balance and test its resolve. Each maneuver, each drone flight, is a reminder that the status quo is anything but stable.
For Washington, the stakes are regional and global. The U.S. has long positioned itself as a guarantor of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific, and its deepening partnership with Taiwan is part of that broader strategy. The $761 million air defense deal is just one piece of a much larger puzzle, one that includes joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and diplomatic support.
Of course, not everyone in Taiwan—or the U.S.—agrees on the best path forward. Some argue that closer ties with Washington could provoke Beijing and increase the risk of conflict. Others say that a robust defense posture, backed by American technology and expertise, is the only way to deter Chinese aggression. The debate is ongoing, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Meanwhile, on the ground in Taiwan, soldiers continue their training. Night after night, they practice spotting and shooting down drones, knowing that the next incursion could come at any time. The Ministry of National Defense’s report leaves no doubt: anti-drone measures are here to stay, and Taiwan is determined to meet the challenge—whatever it takes.
As the region braces for what comes next, one thing is certain: Taiwan’s anti-drone strategy is more than just a military necessity. It’s a statement of intent, a sign that the island is ready to defend its autonomy, and a reminder that in the shadow of great power rivalry, even the smallest islands can make a big stand.