Hello Readers,
This bulletin compiles the most significant defense, security and geopolitical developments in Asia over the past 24 hours, as of the morning of 6 October 2025 in Taipei.
Korean Peninsula – exhibitions, special assets and naval modernization
North Korean leader Kim Jong‑un opened the country’s Defense Development‑2025 exhibition in Pyongyang on 4 October and described it as the result of projects to modernize the military and strengthen the country’s nuclear deterrent. He accused South Korea and the United States of staging nuclear‑operation drills and said that Pyongyang was watching U.S. strategic deployments and “hostile acts” closely. Kim also declared that special assets had been assigned to major targets and warned that South Korean territory might not be safe; Seoul responded by urging him to engage in dialogue.
During the exhibition, Kim visited the Choe Hyon destroyer, a new naval asset, and told sailors to ensure they could “thoroughly deter or counter and punish” any enemy provocations. Satellite imagery indicates that engines have been installed on the destroyer and analysts expect sea trials to begin soon. Kim also emphasized that the United States and South Korea were expanding their “nuclear alliance,” prompting Pyongyang to assign “special assets” to major targets and to closely monitor U.S. strategic deployments.
These developments highlight North Korea’s rapid military modernization and the regime’s rhetoric about deterring threats. The destroyer’s imminent sea trials and the emphasis on “special assets” present new challenges for the United States, South Korea and Japan as they try to maintain deterrence and avoid escalation.
Indo‑Pacific Defense Cooperation
The past day also brought news of major multilateral military exercises in the Indo‑Pacific. The navies of India and the United Kingdom launched an eight‑day wargame known as Exercise Konkan in the western Indian Ocean on 5 October. The UK’s Carrier Strike Group, led by the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, joined Indian Navy units. The drill aims to enhance combined maritime and air capabilities, strengthen bilateral military ties and reaffirm both countries’ commitment to a free and open Indo‑Pacific. British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron said the exercise supports the UK‑India Vision 2035 for a modern defense partnership.
Elsewhere, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, Australia and New Zealand have commenced Bersama Lima 2025. The annual Five‑Power Defense Arrangements exercise integrates air, sea and land operations, features the UK’s carrier strike group alongside A400M and Voyager aircraft and includes training with fifth‑generation fighters. Its purpose is to improve interoperability among the participating militaries, counter terrorism and cyber threats and build capacity for humanitarian missions.
In Seoul, the defense ministers of Japan and South Korea met and reaffirmed trilateral cooperation with the United States. They agreed to maintain close ties to deter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, pledged to co‑develop advanced defence technologies and emphasized their support for the “Freedom Edge” series of joint exercises.
Such large‑scale military drills signal deeper defense cooperation across the Indo‑Pacific. By improving interoperability and presenting a united front, these exercises support a rules‑based maritime order and underscore efforts to deter North Korean aggression and respond to China’s growing influence.
Cross‑Strait and Regional Tensions
In the Taiwan Strait, the Ministry of National Defense in Taipei reported that by 06:00 on 5 October it had detected nine sorties of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and six People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels operating near the island. Two of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern air defense identification zone. Officials added that the previous day had seen ten PLA aircraft and seven PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan, with five aircraft crossing the median line. Analysts warn that China’s newly unveiled weapon systems are designed to counter Taiwan’s long‑standing asymmetric defense strategy.
Farther south, satellite images revealed a build‑up of Chinese civilian vessels near Thitu Island, which is held by the Philippines. A senior Philippine naval officer said the clustering of vessels is not currently a cause for concern, but regional analysts note that such maritime militia ships are used by Beijing to bolster its presence in disputed waters. Regular PLA incursions and maritime militia activity increase the risk of miscalculation and underscore Beijing’s strategy of placing constant pressure on Taipei and its neighbors.
Political and Economic Developments
Economic and political developments also drew attention. Japan’s Sanae Takaichi won the ruling Liberal Democratic Party leadership contest, positioning her as prime minister‑in‑waiting. The yen fell 1.5 percent and the Nikkei index surged past 47,000 points as investors speculated that her expansionary fiscal policy would delay Bank of Japan interest‑rate hikes and potentially fuel friction with China. Takaichi, a fiscal dove who admires Margaret Thatcher, has promised to increase the number of women in cabinet and may revisit a U.S. investment deal. Her nationalistic stance suggests potential shifts in Japan’s domestic and foreign policy.
In the South Pacific, New Zealand agreed to pay 10 million Samoan tala (around US$3.5 million) to Samoa after the New Zealand Navy support vessel Manawanui sank while surveying a reef in 2024. All 75 crew members survived, but an investigation blamed human errors for the grounding. New Zealand removed fuel, oil, weapons and ammunition from the site and said the payment acknowledges the impact on Samoan communities and the environment. This compensation demonstrates Wellington’s commitment to accountability and regional goodwill.
Exclusive analysis
Inside China’s J‑35 stealth‑fighter factory – In a rare display of transparency, China’s state‑run media released footage from inside the production halls for the J‑35 and J‑35A stealth fighters on 6 October. The video shows technicians working on fuselage sections, automated robots moving along the assembly line and large open bays filled with composite airframes. Analysts note that the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation appears to have adopted a “smart factory” model similar to the U.S. F‑35 program, with digital threads linking design, manufacturing and quality control. The footage suggests that low‑rate initial production has begun and that the J‑35 program is transitioning from prototype to pre‑operational status.
Leaked documents on Iran’s Su‑35 purchase – Another exclusive report reveals that leaked files from Russia’s Concern Radio‑Electronic Technologies (KRET) show Iran preparing to spend US$6.5 billion to acquire 48 Su‑35 fighter jets and associated electronic warfare equipment. The export documentation lists product codes and the costs of radars, radio‑frequency systems and other mission‑critical gear, giving rare insight into a deepening defense partnership between Moscow and Tehran. Analysts believe the documents were obtained through a cyber‑intrusion and underscore how sanctions have pushed Iran to rely on Russian hardware.
India’s nuclear‑powered submarine fleet – India is pushing ahead with Project‑77, a roughly US$14 billion program to build six indigenous nuclear‑powered attack submarines. Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in October 2024, the plan calls for a new submarine design with an integrated platform‑management system, vertical‑launch cells for cruise missiles and the ability to stay submerged for months. The goal is to counter China’s expanding undersea presence in the Indian Ocean by shifting the Indian Navy from coastal defense to a long‑range deterrent posture. The first boat is expected to enter service in the mid‑2030s.
Reads:
China’s charm offensive in India’s backyard — Financial Times
China’s Stablecoin Push — The Wire China
Thank you!