Anduril Industries Reportedly Develops ‘China 27’ Contingency Plan for Taiwan Defense
October 20, 2025 – Palmer Luckey, founder of defense technology firm Anduril Industries, revealed the company has formulated a war plan, internally dubbed “China 27,” focused on defending Taiwan against a potential invasion by China. Luckey disclosed the plan during a recent appearance on the Lex Fridman Podcast, outlining a strategy centered on rapidly deployable, autonomous systems designed to disrupt an amphibious assault.
The disclosure arrives amid escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait and heightened U.S. military focus on bolstering Taiwan’s defenses. A successful Chinese invasion of Taiwan would have profound geopolitical consequences, disrupting global trade, possibly drawing the United States into direct conflict, and reshaping the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region. Anduril’s plan aims to present China with unacceptable costs for any invasion attempt, leveraging technology to create a layered defense network.
Luckey explained that “China 27” envisions a scenario where Anduril’s systems, including autonomous surface vessels and aerial drones, would work to delay and attrit invading forces during the critical initial 27 days of a conflict – the timeframe luckey believes is crucial for the United states and allied forces to mobilize and respond effectively. He emphasized the plan’s reliance on a high volume of relatively inexpensive, autonomous systems to overwhelm Chinese defenses and complicate invasion logistics.
“The idea is to make it so that even if China invades, they can’t hold Taiwan,” Luckey stated on the podcast. “We want to make it so that the cost of holding Taiwan is so high that they won’t even try.”
Anduril, founded in 2017, has secured significant contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense, including projects focused on border security and autonomous surveillance. The company’s focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning-driven defense systems positions it as a key player in the evolving landscape of modern warfare. The “China 27” plan represents a proactive approach to addressing a potential conflict, highlighting the growing role of private defense companies in shaping national security strategies.
