China's Multiple Rocket Launchers Targeting Taiwan

[Kim Daeyoung, Military Analyst] The latest self-propelled rocket launcher operated by the Chinese Army, the ’PHL-16‘, is known as a weapon capable of precision strikes on major military facilities in Taiwan in case of emergency. The PHL-16, produced by NORINCO, one of China’s leading defense industry companies and the China North Industries Group, operates pod-mounted rockets and guided missiles similar to the U.S.-made MLRS, with calibers ranging from a minimum of 300mm to a maximum of 750mm.

The PHL-16, first revealed at the 70th anniversary military parade of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 2019, was developed based on the AR3 large-caliber multiple rocket launcher made by NORINCO for export. Before the appearance of the PHL-16, the large-caliber multiple rocket launcher operated by the Chinese Army was known as the PHL-03. The PHL-03 was developed by China in the 1990s by adopting the technology of the Russian 300mm large-caliber multiple rocket launcher BM-30 Smerch. Because of this, its overall appearance resembles that of the Smerch. It is reported that about 170 units of the PHL-03 were produced and deployed to the Chinese Army.

The Chinese military realized the importance of modern multiple rocket launchers during the 1969 Sino-Soviet border conflict. At that time, the Soviet Union deployed the latest 122mm caliber BM-21 multiple rocket launchers, overwhelming and repelling numerous Chinese troops with superior firepower. Since then, multiple rocket launchers have become a highly important weapon system for the Chinese military. Especially as tensions between China and Taiwan escalated in 2019, it is reported that the Chinese military deployed the PHL-16 in southern Hezhou, Fujian Province, which is closest to Taiwan. However, the exact number of deployed units is not disclosed.

The 72nd Group Army of the Eastern Theater Command, where the PHL-16 is deployed, is considered the vanguard force for a potential invasion of Taiwan. Therefore, it is analyzed that the deployment reflects an intention to attack Taiwan in case of emergency. The Taiwan Strait, which can be considered the natural boundary between China and Taiwan, is approximately 400km long and 150 to 200km wide. Depending on the caliber of the rocket launcher, the range varies, but the 750mm guided missile ’BRE8‘ can precisely strike targets 360km away. Because of this, the PHL-16 deployed in Fujian Province can effectively attack the entire territory of Taiwan.

In response, the Taiwanese military plans to acquire 11 high-mobility large-caliber multiple rocket launchers, HIMARS, from the United States, along with 64 ATACMS surface-to-surface missiles with a range of up to 300km. The ATACMS, with a range of 200 to 300km, enables Taiwan to suppress Chinese landing assembly points or major coastal military facilities from the main island in case of emergency.