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PHL-16

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PHL-16
PHL-16 with tactical ballistic missiles
TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2019–present
Used byPeople's Liberation Army Ground Force
Specifications
Mass45t
Length12m
Width3m
Height3m
Crew3
CaliberDepends on munitions:
370 mm (15 in)
300 mm (12 in)
750 mm (30 in)
BarrelsDepends on munitions:
370 mm (15 in): 8
300 mm (12 in): 10
750 mm (30 in): 2
Effective firing rangeDepends on munitions:
BRE3: 130 km (81 mi)[1]
BRE6: 220 km (140 mi)[2][3]


BRE8: 280 km (170 mi)


Fire Dragon 480: 500 km (310 mi)
Main
armament
2 modular launch cells, each can either carry:
1 × 750mm TBM or
4 × 370mm rocket or
5 × 300mm rocket
EngineDiesel, 8×8 wheeled

The PHL-16,[4] also known as PCL-191,[5][6] is a truck-mounted self-propelled multiple rocket launcher (MRL) system developed by the People's Republic of China.

Development

[edit]

It is based on the AR-3 MRL[7] developed by Norinco.[2] The AR-3 was marketed in 2010.[8] The PHL-16 was unveiled during the Chinese National Day Parade in 2019; unlike other rocket systems in the parade, the vehicles were unlabelled.[7]

Design

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The launcher vehicles are operated in a firepower battery. The system is also capable of autonomous operation. A typical battery includes six launcher vehicles, several reloading vehicles, command post vehicle, a meteorological survey vehicle, and other service support vehicles.[9]

Rockets

[edit]
PHL-16s with eight guided rockets or two ballistic missiles
See also: BRE (rocket)

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 (12 in) rockets or four 370 mm (15 in) rockets.[2][4] The export version of the new multiple rocket launcher, the AR-3, can switch to the 750 mm (30 in) Fire Dragon 480 tactical ballistic missile and 380 mm (15 in) TL-7B anti-ship missile.[10][11] The domestic PHL-16 for the PLA service can also equip the same set of Fire Dragon and TL-7 ammunitions.[12]

The configuration displayed during the 2019 National Day Parade was with eight 370 mm (15 in) rockets.[7]

Chassis

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The vehicle chassis is based on the 45 t (44 long tons; 50 short tons) WS2400 8×8 special wheeled vehicle chassis.[13]

Operational history

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In February 2023, PHL-16 was observed in deployment by the 73rd Group Army of the Eastern Theatre Command, which is responsible for the Taiwan Strait area.[14]

In 2024, China inducted the Fire Dragon 480 missiles for the PLA.[12]

Variants

[edit]
AR-3
Baseline; first marketed in 2010.[8]
PHL-16
Development for the People's Liberation Army[4]

Operators

[edit]
 People's Republic of China

References

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  1. ^ "China deploys PHL-16 MLRS along Taiwan Strait". 28 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c 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.
  3. ^ "China deploys PHL-16 MLRS along Taiwan Strait". 28 February 2023.
  4. ^ 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). Archived from the original on 27 December 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  5. ^ Kajal, Kapil (3 September 2025). "From nuclear triad to hypersonics: What China unveiled in largest military parade ever". Interesting Engineering.
  6. ^ "China tests new rocket launcher near disputed border with India". The Times. 19 July 2022.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ a b "AR3 / PHL-16 - 300/370 mm". GlobalSecurity.org. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  9. ^ "PHL-16". Military Today. Retrieved 21 March 2022.[dead link]
  10. ^ Huang, Panyue, ed. (5 November 2019). "New rocket launcher shows versatility, superiority: Report". China Military. Global Times. Retrieved 21 March 2022.[better source needed]
  11. ^ "DSA 2018: China's NORINCO Showcasing TL-7B Anti-ship Missile". Navy Recognition. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Feature: China sets sights on modernisation targets". Janes. 17 January 2025. Archived from the original on 15 September 2025.
  13. ^ "China 'to offer Malaysia radar, rocket launchers based in Johor'". Today. 9 August 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  14. ^ Kajal, Kapil (28 February 2023). "China deploys PHL-16 MLRS along Taiwan Strait". Janes.
  15. ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies: The Military Balance 2025, p.242

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