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| China Tests MLRS 'PCL-191' and 'PHL 03' Allegedly Similar to US HIMARS |
Beijing - China tested a rocket system similar to HIMARS. It was revealed by state television broadcaster CCTV recently that the Chinese military has been testing the precision strike capacity of its new MLRS in the highlands.
Quoted from the Eurasian Times, the People's Liberation Army uses a PCL-191 MLRS that is placed on a truck. These components were used to strike targets several kilometers away at firing ranges in the deserts of western China, CCTV reported.
According to military analysts, the latest demonstration of the MLRS is meant to demonstrate the PLA's firepower and combat readiness. This is then done to deal with potential border emergencies. This latest test is also significant due to the increased range of the Chinese MLRS which can strike Indian military assets near the disputed border.
The system can also carry two 750 mm Fire Dragon 480 tactical ballistic missiles, each with a range of up to 500 km. This is also the case when it carries eight 370 mm (1412 inches) rockets, each with a range of 350 km (220 miles).
According to Zhou Chenming, a researcher with the Yuan Wang military science and technology think tank in Beijing, the range of the rocket launch system has been increased to 500 km. The PCL191 is more capable when deployed at high altitudes with its maximum range being extended several times.
In addition, China also has the PHL 03. Quoted from Military Today, the PHL 03, also referred to as the Type 03, is the Chinese version of the Chinese version of the Soviet BM-30 Smerch rocket system. The primary role of this artillery rocket system is to strike long-range strategic targets.
These include airfields, command centers, support facilities, air defense batteries, large troop concentrations, and so on. The PHL 03 retains the original Russian configuration with 12 launch tubes for 300 mm artillery rockets.
A standard rocket weighs about 800 kg and has a warhead of 280 kg. The maximum firing range is 70-130 km depending on the type of warhead. Both PCL 191 and PHL 03 have almost the same function, which is to launch surface-to-surface rockets.