China's Growing Military Threat to Taiwan

Escalating Tensions: China's Military Buildup and Taiwan's Response

China has significantly increased its military preparations for potential coercive actions against Taiwan in recent years, with the pace of development showing no signs of slowing down. This buildup is largely driven by President Xi Jinping’s stated goal of annexing Taiwan by 2027. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been steadily increasing its deployments, testing new weapon systems, and refining joint operations to enforce a form of coercive deterrence around the island.

Analysts warn that even with support from the United States and its allies, Taiwan could face overwhelming pressure from missiles, air forces, naval forces, and cyber attacks in a sudden and intense scenario if Beijing were to act without warning.

Ongoing 'Fig-Leaf' Exercises

The PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command has conducted large-scale, multi-branch war games over the past few years. These include exercises such as "Joint Sword-2024A/B" and "Strait Thunder-2025A," which are designed to simulate a real blockade, air-sea strike, and amphibious assault operations.

These drills have involved live fire, aircraft carriers like the Shandong, Type 052D and Type 055 destroyers, coastguard vessels, and long-range rocket and missile forces, according to multiple sources. In April 2025’s Strait Thunder-2025A exercise, the PLA deployed over 100 aircraft sorties, including 37 crossing the Taiwan Strait median line, along with 15 naval vessels and four China Coast Guard ships. A carrier battle group led by Shandong moved into strategic practice zones southeast of Taiwan, and live-fire rocket barrages targeted simulated ports and energy facilities.

These operations serve as clear rehearsals for limited blockade, joint strike, and invasion scenarios, coordinated across air, sea, missile, amphibious, and coastguard components.

Weapons Systems Deployed and in Place

Missiles and Rocket Launchers

PLA Rocket Force units are positioned across the narrow Taiwan Strait, opposite the self-governing island, with powerful anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities. These include various missile systems designed to control the region and restrict access.

Naval and Amphibious Forces

The PLA Navy, now one of the world’s largest fleets, includes Type-052D and Type-055 guided-missile destroyers equipped with universal VLS and YJ-18 anti-ship missiles, as well as amphibious Type-071 and Type-075 assault ships. A new class of Shuiqiao landing barges, observed in March 2025, can form floating causeways to deliver main battle tanks and vehicles ashore at varied coastal locations.

Additionally, a fleet of amphibious tank boats under the Fujian Group Army and a wing-in-ground-effect aircraft (ekranoplan) have featured prominently in recent live-fire training along China’s Fujian coast opposite Taiwan.

Air and Reconnaissance Assets

The PLA air force fields advanced fighters such as the J-10, J-16, and J-20 stealth jets, along with H-6 bombers, early-warning platforms like the KJ-500, and aerial refueling Y-20 tankers to extend combat range. These jets routinely patrol Taiwan’s ADIZ, often crossing the median line with increasing frequency.

Directed-Energy and Cyber-Enabled Warfare

China has reportedly deployed high-energy laser weapons aimed at disabling drones, aircraft, and coastal infrastructure, reinforcing blockades through non-kinetic precision strikes. The PLA’s Strategic Support Force and Eastern Theatre cyber units integrate electronic warfare, jamming, and cyber tools to disrupt Taiwan’s command and control systems and strengthen joint operations.

Implications and Taiwan’s Response

United States and Allied Concern

US military officials, including Admiral Paparo, warn that PLA readiness allows it to mask invasion preparations as routine exercises. The shift from peacetime to war posture could unfold within hours, according to reports.

Taipei’s Countermeasures

Taiwan has bolstered its defenses by acquiring US ATACMS and NASAMS, accelerating production of indigenous Hsiung Feng-III anti-ship missiles, and conducting its largest ever Han Kuang exercises. Troop movements are seen around the capital Taipei, with increased activity in recent years.

On the electronic front, Taipei is exploiting apparent PLA command and cyber vulnerabilities by investing in electronic warfare, satellite resilience, and measures to degrade Chinese C2 networks.

The Days Ahead

Beijing’s growing arsenal of missile-based strike systems, amphibious deployment platforms, high-end air power, and laser/cyber capabilities reflects a sustained campaign to squeeze Taiwan’s defensive window. Combined with persistent grey-zone tactics such as air incursions, coastguard pressure, and cyber intrusion, the PLA has moved closer to executing a sudden strike or sustained blockade.

Despite this, ongoing Taiwanese and allied preparations, alongside Taiwan’s strengthening of asymmetric deterrents, leave uncertainty about the timing and feasibility of an actual invasion. However, with Xi Jinping’s objective of annexation by 2027, the window for Taiwan’s military maneuvering is narrowing rapidly.