With regard to the media’s report concerning “the armed forces is building special missile battalion and deploying surface-to-surface long-range missiles”, the Ministry of National Defense wishes to give the following statement:

Ⅰ. The armed forces’ military-building schemes have been carried out as planned all along. What the media says about NCSIST’s (National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology) special missile battalion construction tender link on its official website being immediately withdrawn as soon as such news have been reported by relevant units, is purely conjecture.

Ⅱ. All of armed forces’ construction projects have been implemented and announced according to provisions. What the media says is entirely not true.

Ⅲ. All of armed forces’ military-building and war preparations have been planned meticulously based on an assessment of enemy threat and the enhancement of military strength to safeguard national security. The Ministry will not comment on any media report that deals with military confidential information related to the armed forces’ deployment matters.