Military Wiki
PHL-16
Type Multiple rocket launcher
Place of origin China
Service history
In service 2019–present
Used by
Specifications
Crew 3

Caliber 300 mm (12 in)
370 mm (15 in)
750 mm (30 in)
380 mm (15 in)
Barrels 10

Suspension 8×8 wheeled

The PHL-16[1] (or Type PCL191) is a truck-mounted self-propelled multiple rocket launcher (MRL) system developed by the People's Republic of China.

Development[]

It is based on the AR-3 MRL[2] developed by Norinco.[3] The AR-3 was marketed in 2010.[4] The PHL-16 was unveiled during the Chinese National Day Parade in 2019; unlike other rocket systems in the parade, the vehicles were unlabelled.[2]

Design[]

The launcher vehicles are operated in a firepower battery. The system also capable of autonomous operation. A typical battery includes six launcher vehicles, several reloading vehicles, command post vehicle, meteorological survey vehicle and other service support vehicles.[5]

Rockets[]

Unlike the earlier PHL-03, which is loaded with a fixed type of ammunition, the new PHL-16 has two modularized launch cells, which can carry different types of ammunition. Each launch cell can carry either five 300 mm rockets or four 370 mm rockets.[3][1] The export version of the new multiple rocket launcher, the AR-3, can even switch to the 750 mm Fire Dragon 480 tactical ballistic missile and 380 mm TL-7B anti-ship missile.[6][7] This capability is possibly transferred to the PLA variants.

The configuration displayed during the 2019 National Day Parade was with 8 370 mm rockets.[2]

Vehicle[]

The vehicle chassis is based on the 45 ton WS2400 8×8 special wheeled vehicle chassis.[8]

Variants[]

AR-3
Baseline; first marketed in 2010.[4]
PHL-16
Development for the People's Liberation Army[1]

Operators[]

Flag of the People's Republic of China People's Republic of China

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Verma, Vivek (7 April 2020). "Appraisal of PLA Artillery Modernisation". Centre for Land Warfare Studies. https://www.claws.in/publication/appraisal-of-pla-artillery-modernisation/. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chan, Minnie (7 December 2019). "China's new PCL191 multiple launch rocket system casts shadow over Taiwan Strait". South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3041007/chinas-new-pcl191-multiple-launch-rocket-system-casts-shadow. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 Foss, Christopher F. (24 February 2015). "Long-range firepower [IDX15D2"]. https://www.janes.com/article/49332/long-range-firepower-idx15d2. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 "AR3 / PHL-16 - 300/370 mm". 1 October 2019. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/ar-3.htm. 
  5. "PHL-16". http://www.military-today.com/artillery/phl_16.htm. 
  6. Huang, Panyue, ed (2019-11-05). "New rocket launcher shows versatility, superiority: Report". China Military. http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2019-11/05/content_9668961.htm. [better source needed]
  7. "DSA 2018: China's NORINCO Showcasing TL-7B Anti-ship Missile". 2018-04-17. https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2018/april-2018-navy-naval-defense-news/6143-dsa-2018-china-s-norinco-showcasing-tl-7b-anti-ship-missile.html. 
  8. "China 'to offer Malaysia radar, rocket launchers based in Johor'". Today. 2017-08-09. https://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/china-offer-malaysia-radar-rocket-launchers-based-johor. 
  9. International Institute for Strategic Studies (2021). The Military Balance 2021. Routledge. p. 251. ISBN 978-1-03-201227-8. 

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