PHL-16

PHL-16
PHL-16
Type	Multiple rocket launcher
Place of origin	China
Service history
In service	2019–present
Used by	People's Liberation Army Ground Force
Specifications
Mass	45t
Length	12m
Width	3m
Height	3m
Crew	3
Caliber	370mm
Barrels	8
Effective firing range	130 km (using BRE3 rocket)
Maximum firing range	depends on armament, 280 km (174 mi) (using BRE8 rocket), or 360 km (using TL-7B anti-ship missile)
Main; armament	2 modular launch cells, each can either carry:; 1 × 750mm TBM or; 4 × 370mm rocket or; 5 × 300mm rocket
Engine	Diesel, 8×8 wheeled

The PHL-16,^[3] also known as PCL-191,^[4] 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^[5] developed by Norinco.^[6] The AR-3 was marketed in 2010.^[7] The PHL-16 was unveiled during the Chinese National Day Parade in 2019; unlike other rocket systems in the parade, the vehicles were unlabelled.^[5]

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.^[8]

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.^[6]^[3] 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.^[9]^[10] This capability is possibly transferred to the PLA variants.

The configuration displayed during the 2019 National Day Parade was with 8 370 mm rockets.^[5]

Chassis

The vehicle chassis is based on the 45 ton WS2400 8×8 special wheeled vehicle chassis.^[11]

Operational history

In February 2023, PHL-16 was observed in deployment by 73rd Group Army of the Eastern Theatre Command, which responsible for the Taiwan Strait area.^[12]

Variants

AR-3: Baseline; first marketed in 2010.^[7]
PHL-16: Development for the People's Liberation Army^[3]

Operators

People's Republic of China

People's Liberation Army Ground Force – 50+ units as of 2021.^[13]

References

^ "China deploys PHL-16 MLRS along Taiwan Strait". 28 February 2023.
^ "China deploys PHL-16 MLRS along Taiwan Strait". 28 February 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c Verma, Vivek (7 April 2020). "Appraisal of PLA Artillery Modernisation". Issue Briefs. No. 220. Centre for Land Warfare Studies (published April 2020). Retrieved 8 September 2020.
^ "China tests new rocket launcher near disputed border with India". The Times. 19 July 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c Chan, Minnie (7 December 2019). "China's new PCL191 multiple launch rocket system casts shadow over Taiwan Strait". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
^ ^a ^b Foss, Christopher F. (24 February 2015). "Long-range firepower [IDX15D2]". Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 12 November 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
^ ^a ^b "AR3 / PHL-16 - 300/370 mm". GlobalSecurity.org. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
^ "PHL-16". Military Today. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
^ Huang, Panyue, ed. (5 November 2019). "New rocket launcher shows versatility, superiority: Report". China Military. Global Times. Retrieved 21 March 2022.^{[better source needed]}
^ "DSA 2018: China's NORINCO Showcasing TL-7B Anti-ship Missile". Navy Recognition. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
^ "China 'to offer Malaysia radar, rocket launchers based in Johor'". Today. 9 August 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
^ Kajal, Kapil (28 February 2023). "China deploys PHL-16 MLRS along Taiwan Strait". Janes.
^ International Institute for Strategic Studies: The Military Balance 2022, p.257

[1] "China deploys PHL-16 MLRS along Taiwan Strait". 28 February 2023.

[2] "China deploys PHL-16 MLRS along Taiwan Strait". 28 February 2023.

[Verma_2020-04-3] Verma, Vivek (7 April 2020). "Appraisal of PLA Artillery Modernisation". Issue Briefs. No. 220. Centre for Land Warfare Studies (published April 2020). Retrieved 8 September 2020.

[Evans_2022-4] "China tests new rocket launcher near disputed border with India". The Times. 19 July 2022.

[Chan_2019-12-5] Chan, Minnie (7 December 2019). "China's new PCL191 multiple launch rocket system casts shadow over Taiwan Strait". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 8 September 2020.

[Foss_2015-02-6] Foss, Christopher F. (24 February 2015). "Long-range firepower [IDX15D2]". Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 12 November 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.

[gs_2019-10-7] "AR3 / PHL-16 - 300/370 mm". GlobalSecurity.org. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2020.

[8] "PHL-16". Military Today. Retrieved 21 March 2022.

[9] Huang, Panyue, ed. (5 November 2019). "New rocket launcher shows versatility, superiority: Report". China Military. Global Times. Retrieved 21 March 2022.^{[better source needed]}

[10] "DSA 2018: China's NORINCO Showcasing TL-7B Anti-ship Missile". Navy Recognition. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2022.

[11] "China 'to offer Malaysia radar, rocket launchers based in Johor'". Today. 9 August 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2022.

[12] Kajal, Kapil (28 February 2023). "China deploys PHL-16 MLRS along Taiwan Strait". Janes.

[IISS2022_p257-13] International Institute for Strategic Studies: The Military Balance 2022, p.257

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