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`Offensive' missiles still being developed: minister

Minister of National Defense Lee Tien-yu (李天羽) said yesterday that the nation did not have any missiles deployed which could be used to attack China, but confirmed that the military was developing offensive missile technology.

"The Pentagon has confirmed that China's military is now more powerful than ours. They [the US Defense Department] asked China not to carry on further development of offensive missiles and asked the same thing from us," Lee said during a luncheon with reporters.

"I must say, however, that such missiles remain under development in Taiwan," Lee said.

The offensive missiles the minister referred to are known as Tactical Shore-based Missile for Fire Suppression (TSMFS).

The ministry said the TSMFS is an anti-missile defense system for use against potential Chinese missile attacks.

Military analysts, however, maintain that the range of such missiles could bring the Three Gorges Dam within reach, a claim the ministry has never confirmed.

"I am asking for everybody's support so that the military will be able to achieve its objectives," Lee said.

Meanwhile, the minister also confirmed that from next month, the duration of compulsory military service would decrease to 14 months, with another decrease to 12 months starting on Jan. 1 next year.

"The new 14-month military service is a done deal and will be effective starting on July 1," Lee said. "As for the 12-month military service, I am quite confident it will be implemented starting on Jan. 1 next year."

Lee avoided directly answering a question as to whether a wide-ranging reshuffle of high-ranking military officers should be expected this summer.

"Usually, a high-ranking officer will stay in his position for at least two to three years," he said, adding that under some circumstances that rule could be broken.

"But I promise we will do our best to follow that rule," he said.
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