Type 63 multiple rocket launcher explained

Type 63 107mm rocket launcher
Origin:	China
Type:	Multiple rocket launcher
Is Ranged:	yes
Is Artillery:	yes
Used By:	China and the Soviet Union
Wars:	Vietnam War War in Afghanistan Soviet-Afghan war^[1] Sino–Vietnamese War Lebanese Civil War Iran–Iraq War Yugoslav Wars Iraq War^[2] First Libyan Civil War Central African Civil War Syrian Civil War South Sudanese Civil War War in Iraq Tigray War War in Sudan • Somali Civil War
Design Date:	1961
Manufacturer:	State Factory 847
Production Date:	1963–?
Variants:	Type 81 SP version on truck
Weight:	602kg (1,327lb)
Length:	2.9m (09.5feet)
Width:	1.65m (05.41feet)
Height:	0.91abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Crew:	5
Cartridge:	HE, HE-I and HE-frag
Caliber:	106.7mm
Velocity:	385m/s
Max Range:	8.05abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Carriage:	Split trail
Elevation:	−3° to +57°
Traverse:	32°

The Type 63 multiple rocket launcher is a towed, 12-tube, 107mm rocket launcher produced by the People's Republic of China in the early 1960s and later exported and manufactured globally. Although no longer serving with active infantry units, the Type 63 is still in People's Liberation Army service with specialized formations such as mountain infantry units and special forces detachments.^[3] The Type 63 was widely used in the PLA until the late 1980s. It was adopted as the successor of the Type 50-5 of 102mm.

China has also developed a Type 63 multiple rocket launcher of 130mm. The RPU-14 is a Soviet 140mm MRL of similar design to the Type 63.

Description

The launcher's 12 tubes are arranged in three removable rows of four, mounted on a single-axle carriage with rubber tires. The Type 63 originally fired an 18.8 kilogram rocket (Type 63-2)^[4] with a 1.3 kilogram warhead.^[5] Ammunition for the Type 63 was later improved (Type 75 and Type 81 series), although the overall weight of the rocket remained the same.^[3] A fixed amount of propellant is contained in the rocket motor. The steel-cased rocket is stabilized with spin imparted by six angled nozzles in its base.^{[6] [7]} The Type 63 was distributed on the basis of six per infantry regiment, or 18 per infantry division.^[8] For airborne and mountain units the lighter Type 63-I was developed.^[9]

The Type 63 and its copies can be mounted on different kinds of armoured and unarmoured vehicles, for example the MT-LB, the Safir, the Mamba, the RG-32 Scout, the GAZ-66 and the M113.

Licence versions

The Type 63 and its rockets are license-built in several countries including:

• Sudan – Taka.^[10]
• Iran – Fajr-1 of D.I.O. with Haseb-1 rocket.^[11]
• South Africa – RO 107 of Mechem Developments.^[12]
• North Korea – Type 75.
• North Vietnam, Vietnam – H-12.
• Turkey – T-107 of MKEK with rockets TR-107 "Anadolu" and TRB-107.^[13]
• Egypt – RL812/TLC of the Helwan Machinery and Equipment Factory (Factory 999).^{[14] [15]}

BM-12 nomenclature issue

NATO and western sources have used the Soviet-style designation BM-12 to describe this weapon system, and further even ascribe Soviet origin and initial manufacture of both launcher and rockets.^[16] However, there is no evidence in non-western sources of Soviet development or production, or of the BM-12 moniker being applied. Very similar Type 50-5 or Type 488 102mm rockets were manufactured in China and used in the Korean War prior to development of the Type 63.^[17]

It appears the systems designated BM-12 (for example in Afghanistan and Libya) were or are all of Chinese origin, being merely used or cross-traded by Soviet interests.

Variants

Multiple rocket launchers

• The Chinese Type 81 SPMRL 107mm is a self-propelled export version, based on the Nanjing NJ-230 truck.
• North Korea has developed versions with 18 and 24 launch tubes that are mounted on vehicles such as the tracked VTT-323 or the wheeled M1992.
• ROKETSAN of Turkey has designed an improved 107mm multiple rocket launch system, consisting of a HMMWV with two 12-round launch modules and a fire control system. The system uses the TR-107 and TRB-107 rockets but the range has been increased to 11 km.^[18]
  • T-107M, Vehicle Mounted, 12 Steel Tube MBRL^[19]
  • T-107SPM, Vehicle-mounted 2 × 12 Tubes Disposable MBRL with Insulated Pod
  • T-107/122, Vehicle Mounted 3 × 20 Tubes Disposable MBRL with Insulated Pod

Single-tube rocket launchers

A number of countries have developed single-tube, man-portable rocket launchers that fire the same type of rockets:

• China: Type 85 with an empty weight of 22.5 kg.
• Egypt: PRL-81, similar to the Type 85 system.^[20]
• South Africa: Inflict of Mechem Developments with an empty weight of 26 kg.^[21]
• Iran: Karkhe, Single shot disposable launcher.^[22]

Operators

Current operators

• ^[23]
• – 270.^[24]
  • – ~4
    • • – 12
• ^[25]
• - Manufactured locally as RL812/TLC
• – 25
• - 25
• – ~3
  • – 1,300 as of 2020
  • Liwa Fatemiyoun^[26]
• ^[27]
  • • • Popular Mobilization Forces^[28]
      • – 4
• – 30
• – 33
• – Type-81 variant in service
• Palestine Liberation Organisation
• People's Defense Units (YPG)^[29]
• – (Launchers captured in Angola, rockets manufactured locally)^[30]
  • – 477
  • – Manufactured locally as TR-107.
• : estimated12
• - Fajr 1^[31]
• – Fielded during the Vietnam War.^[32] 360
• – 16

Former operators

• – Former user
  • • Lebanese Forces^[33]
  • People's Liberation Army
  • Amal Movement
• Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam: 2^[34]
• – retired
• Tigray Defense Forces^[35] − Surrendered to the Ethiopian forces in the aftermath of the Tigray War^[36]

References

• (JAA) Jane's Armour and Artillery 1981–82, Christopher Foss (ed.), London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1981. .
• Book: . International Institute for Strategic Studies . The Military Balance 2006 . 2006 . Routledge . 978-1-85743-399-9 . en.
• Book: The Military Balance 2016. February 2016. 116. 9781857438352 . Routlegde. . International Institute for Strategic Studies. International Institute for Strategic Studies.
• Book: The Military Balance 2021. February 2021. 121. 9781032012278. Routledge. . International Institute for Strategic Studies. International Institute for Strategic Studies.

External links

• OrData report on 107-mm rocket projectile
• GlobalSecurity on the Type 63 and Type 81
• Mao's Rockets and the Eastern Afghan Border War, Part I Part II Part III, article series about the use of Type 63 rockets in Afghanistan.

Notes and References

1. Book: Isby, David C.. The War in Afghanistan 1979–1989: The Soviet Empire at High Tide. Concord Publications . 1990. 46–47. 978-9623610094.
2. Web site: Insight Into How Insurgents Fought in Iraq. John. Ismay. 17 October 2013. New York Times.
3. Web site: sinodefence.com. sinodefence.com. 12 April 2018. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100123002839/http://www.sinodefence.com/army/mrl/type63.asp. 23 January 2010.
4. JAA, p. 594.
5. Web site: fas.org. fas.org . 12 April 2018.
6. Despite drones and blimps, rocket attacks in Afghanistan prove hard to stop . Jeremy Kelly . August 21, 2012 . Christian Science Monitor .
7. Web site: Chinese-Made 107mm Rockets Are the Workhorses of Insurgencies (and Goons) . Brian Anderson . Motherboard . 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150408212801/http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/107 . 2015-04-08 .
8. JAA, p. 593.
9. Web site: Type 63 107mm Rocket . Fas.org . 2013-04-01.
10. http://www.mic.sd/idex/en/products/smallarms MIC page on Small Arms including Taka
11. https://web.archive.org/web/20130810110748/http://www.diomil.ir/pdf/Section3.pdf Defense Industries Organization 2013 Catalog, Section 3: Rocket Industries Group.
12. Web site: Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's | IHS . Articles.janes.com . 2013-04-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20120503102640/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/Mechem-Developments-107-mm-RO-107-12-round-towed-multiple-rocket-launcher-system-South-Africa.html. 3 May 2012.
13. http://www.acig.info/CMS/?option=com_content&task=view&id=190&Itemid=47
14. Web site: Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's | IHS . Articles.janes.com . 2013-04-01.
15. Web site: Egypt :: Helwan Machinery and Equipment Co. .::. حلوان للآلات و المعدات :: تفاصيل المنتجات الحربيه . Fact999.momp.gov.eg . 2013-04-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111220052154/http://fact999.momp.gov.eg/Ar/MilProductDetials.aspx?pro=hMF%2FIhxili5ZUAKbNEFn0Iu8g1ve7yeLfUVhTAlV1yw%3D . 2011-12-20.
16. Jalali; Ali Ahmad, & Grau; Lester W., (2002), Afghan Guerrilla Warfare: In the Words of the Mujahideen Fighters, Zenith Imprint, pg. 407,
17. http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/NORINCO-107-mm-12-round-Type-63-and-Type-81-multiple-rocket-systems-China.html Type 63
18. Web site: Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's | IHS . Articles.janes.com . 2013-04-01.
19. Web site: Emin. Zafer. 2016-11-29. Roketsan 107 mm çok namlulu roketatar. 2021-04-06. Teknoformat. tr.
20. Encyclopedia: Christopher F.. Foss. Lightweight man-portable and vehicle-mounted systems. Jane's Armour and Artillery 1998-99. 15 June 1998.
21. Web site: Mechem Developments 107 mm Inflict (single-tube) rocket launcher. https://web.archive.org/web/20120503102712/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/Mechem-Developments-107-mm-Inflict-single-tube-rocket-launcher-South-Africa.html. 3 May 2012. 6 March 2012 . Articles.janes.com . 2013-04-01.
22. Web site: Oryx. The Oryx Handbook of Iranian Fighting Vehicles. 2021-04-14. Oryx Blog.
23. Book: Afghanistan, Arms and Conflict: Armed Groups, Disarmament and Security in a Post-War Society. Michael Vinai. Bhatia . Mark . Sedra . Routledge. Small Arms Survey. Small Arms Survey. 978-0-415-45308-0. 66. May 2008.
24. Encyclopedia: Christopher F.. Foss. Norinco 107 mm (12-round) Type 63 and Type 81 multiple rocket systems. Jane's Armour and Artillery 1998–99. 15 June 1998.
25. Book: Debay, Yves. Yves Debay. VBL Panhard. Histoire et collections. 2004. 9782913903166. fr. 120.
26. News: Pour se battre en Syrie, l'Iran enrôle massivement des Afghans chiites. 25 February 2019. France Soir. Matteo. Puxton. Maxime. Macé. fr.
27. Book: Iraqi army equipment 1930–2017 . 2. 81.
28. News: Kataib al-Imam Ali, cette puissante milice chiite qui se bat à la fois en Irak et en Syrie. fr. France Soir. Matteo. Puxton. 30 August 2017.
29. Web site: Mitzer . Stijn . Oliemans . Joost . Kurdish Armour: Inventorising YPG Equipment In Northern Syria . Oryx Blog . 29 October 2021.
30. Book: Heitman, Helmoed-Römer. The Battle in Bangui: The Untold Story. 2013. 7 . Parktown Publishers. Johannesburg. 978-0-9921902-8-6.
31. Web site: Venezuela's Zolfaghar boats are just the latest military equipment provided by Iran . 10 January 2024 .
32. Encyclopedia: The Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War: A Political, Social, and Military History. 2. Spencer C.. Tucker. 978-1-85109-960-3. May 2011. . 988. Rockets and Rocket Launchers. David T. . Zabecki.
33. Book: Zaloga, Steven J. . Tank Battles of the Mid-East Wars (2): The Wars of 1973 to the Present. limited . Concord Publications . Hong Kong . 2003. 962-361-613-9. 66.
34. Book: Humanitarian Operation Factual Analysis July 2006 – May 2009 . Ministry Of Defence Democratic Socialist Republic Of Sri Lanka . 9 September 2021.
35. Web site: Oryx. The Tigray Defence Forces - Documenting Its Heavy Weaponry. 2021-09-03. Oryx Blog.
36. News: Misikir . Maya . Tigray Forces Start Handing Over Heavy Weapons as Part of Peace Deal . 11 January 2024 . Voice of America . 11 January 2023 . en.