Press release of the Ministry of National Defense
Time: March 6, 2023 at 11:20

In response to media reports about "wheeled combat vehicles being put into
production without a plan", the Ministry of National Defense (MND) has explained
as follows:

1. The Manufacturing Center of the Armaments Bureau is currently working on a
105mm-wheeled armor vehicle research project running from 2018 to 2023. During
this period, two prototypes of vehicles are going to be developed. No mass
production of such vehicles in 2023 is planned, nor has any instruction been given
from top national security officials to commence mass production. What is being
reported is therefore not true.

2. The 105mm-wheeled armor vehicle has already passed the R&D evaluation and
meets the requirements of the Army. The shooting accuracy and stability of such
vehicles have also been verified as above the required standards, and the initial
operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) is scheduled for April to July this year
(2023).

3. Since the 105mm-wheel armor vehicle is a major achievement of indigenous
national defense, the Center will work to manage new requirements from the Army
and develop armor vehicles for mass-production after passing IOT&E stage. The
MND calls on the media to do their due diligence when covering reports to avoid
misleading the public, as false reports are not conducive to the research and
development of military armaments.