PHL-16


The PHL-16, also known as PCL-191, is a truck-mounted self-propelled multiple rocket launcher system developed by the People's Republic of China.

Development

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

Design

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.

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 rockets or four rockets. The export version of the new multiple rocket launcher, the AR-3, can switch to the Fire Dragon 480 tactical ballistic missile and TL-7B anti-ship missile. The domestic PHL-16 for the PLA service can also equip the same set of Fire Dragon and TL-7 ammunitions.
The configuration displayed during the 2019 National Day Parade was with eight rockets.

Chassis

The vehicle chassis is based on the WS2400 8×8 special wheeled vehicle chassis.

Operational history

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

Variants

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

Operators