PHL-03

The PHL-03 is a truck-mounted self-propelled 12-tube 300 mm long-range multiple rocket launcher of the People's Republic of China.

PHL-03
PHL-03 on display at Beijing's Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution, 2017
Type	Multiple rocket launcher
Place of origin	China
Service history
In service	2004–present
Used by	People's Liberation Army Ground Force Ethiopian Ground Forces Royal Moroccan Armed Forces Tanzania People's Defence Force Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
Wars	Tigray War
Production history
Manufacturer	China Ordnance Industries Group Corporation Limited
Specifications
Mass	43 t[1]
Length	12 m (39 ft 4 in)[1]
Width	3 m (10 ft)[1]
Height	3 m (10 ft)[1]
Crew	4[1]
Caliber	300 mm (12 in)
Barrels	12
Maximum firing range	70–130 km (43–81 mi)[1]
Engine	Diesel engine 500 hp (370 kW)[1]
Suspension	8×8 wheeled
Operational range	650 km (400 mi)[1]
Maximum speed	60 km/h (37 mph)[1]

The system is beginning to be replaced by the more modular and newer PHL-16.

Design

The design is based on the Soviet-made BM-30 Smerch rocket artillery system. The main role for this multiple rocket launcher is to engage strategic targets such as large concentrations of troops, airfields, command centres, air defense batteries and support facilities. It is also used to engage in counter-battery fire missions.

The PHL-03 has the same configuration as the original Soviet counterpart with 12 launch tubes for 300 mm artillery rockets, along with a computerised fire-control system (FCS) incorporating GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou.

Rockets

See also: BRE (rocket)

The PHL-03 uses the 300 mm rockets of the BRE family, namely the BRC4, BRE2 and the guided Fire Dragon 140A which have a range of 130 km (81 mi).^[2]

A standard weight for each rocket is 800 kg (1,800 lb) with a 280 kg (620 lb) warhead. Maximum firing range is depending on warhead type with around 70–130 km (43–81 mi). Standard warheads are high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG), fuel-air explosive, and cluster warheads with anti-armor and anti-personnel submunitions. Cluster warheads can also carry self-targeting anti-tank munitions. A full salvo of this system could potentially cover an area of up to 67 hectares (170 acres).

In October 2020, it was reported that a new type of rocket was being deployed on the PHL-03 with a range 30 km longer than normal, suggesting a range of 160 km (99 mi).^[2]

Operators

 People's Republic of China

• People's Liberation Army Ground Force – 175 systems^[3]

 Morocco

• Royal Moroccan Army – 36 systems^[4]

 Ethiopia

• Ethiopian Ground Forces – 4^[5]
• Tigray Defense Forces^[6]

See also

• A-100 (multiple rocket launcher) – lost competition to PHL-03
• M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System

References

1. "PHL 03 Multiple Launch Rocket System". Military-Today.com. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
2. Cranny-Evans, Samuel (20 October 2020). "PLAGF's PHL-03 MRL armed with new, longer-range guided rocket, says Chinese state media". Janes.com. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
3. Verma, Vivek (April 2020). "Appraisal of PLA Artillery Modernisation". Issue Brief (220). Centre for Land Warfare Studies: 2. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
4. Elkorri, Mohamed (22 February 2023). "Le Maroc envisagerait l'achat de lance-roquettes israéliens PULS". L'Opinion (in French). Retrieved 25 February 2023.
5. "Arms Transfers Database: Transfer data, China to Ethiopia, ordered 2017". SIPRI Arms Transfers Database (Searchable database). Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
6. Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost (15 September 2021). "Go Ballistic: Tigray's Forgotten Missile War With Ethiopia and Eritrea". Oryx. Retrieved 7 June 2023.