PHL-81 explained

Type 81 rocket launcher^[1]
Origin:	China
Type:	Self-propelled rocket launcher Rocket artillery
Is Vehicle:	yes
Is Ranged:	yes
Is Artillery:	yes
Length:	9.8m (32.2feet)
Width:	3.24m (10.63feet)
Height:	3.5m (11.5feet) with AAMG
Weight:	18 to 30 tons
Design Date:	1987
Production Date:	1989 – present
Caliber:	122mm (missiles)
Barrels:	40
Traverse:	360°
Suspension:	torsion bar
Speed:	55 km/h (35 mph)
Vehicle Range:	450km (280miles)
Primary Armament:	122 mm rockets
Secondary Armament:	12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun
Engine:	WR4B-12V150LB 12-cyl diesel
Crew:	5
Engine Power:	520 hp (382 kW)

The PHL-81 is a truck-mounted self-propelled 122 mm multiple rocket launcher (SPMRL) produced by the People's Republic of China for the People's Liberation Army Ground Force.^[2]

The PHL-81 is being replaced by the modernised version PHL-11.

Design and development

It is a variant of the Soviet BM-21 Grad.^[3] The Type 81 was the first in a family of Chinese self-propelled 122 mm rocket launchers.^[2]

The system forms the backbone of People's Liberation Army Ground Force's combined arms brigade. Type 81 went through different iterations of modernization to improve the combat effectiveness.^[4]

The spin-stabilized rocket fired by the Type 81 may be armed with a high explosive warhead or a steel fragmentation warhead.^[2]

Variants

Type 81: Designation: PHL-81. The Type 81 mounts a 40-round launcher on an Hongyan CQ261 6X6 truck chassis. The truck was later changed to a Shaanxi SX250 in 1975.^{[5] [2]}

Type 83: Improved variant of Type 81. The Type 83 mounts a 24-round launcher on a 6x6 truck chassis.^[2]

Type 89: Designation PHZ-89. This is an improved variant of the original Type 81 MRL system. It was adopted by the PLA in 1989. The Type 89 mounts a new type of 40-round box launcher on the armored tracked chassis of the Type 83 self-propelled gun. The rockets may be fired in 20 seconds. The launcher is mounted at the rear with a reload pack in front.^[2]

Type 90: Designation PHL-90. The Type 90 shares the 40-round launcher with PHZ-89, but the rockets are mounted on a Tiema SC2030 6X6 truck. The truck also carries a reload pack of 40 additional rockets; the launcher to be reloaded within 3 minutes.^[2]

Type 90A: Designation PHL-90A. The Type 90A is an upgrade of the Type 90. The 40-round launcher is mounted on a Tiema XC2200 6×6 truck, has improved fire control, and a battery may be remotely controlled by a command vehicle. It is manufactured by Norinco.^[6]

Type 90B: The Type 90B is an upgrade of the Type 90A. The 40-round launchers are mounted on a Beifang Benchi 2629 6×6 trucks. The system adds WZ551 reconnaissance vehicles, and the command vehicle has improved command and fire control systems.^[7]

Operators

• Chadian Ground Forces - 5 units in service as of 2021

• People's Liberation Army Ground Force - 550 units of PHL-81/PHL-90; 350 unit of PHL-11; 375 units of PHZ-89; 700 units of PHL-81 in storage.^[8]

• Gabonese Army - 4 units of Type 90 were delivered in 2004^[9]

• Ghana Army - 3 units in service as of 2021

• Indonesian Marine Corps - At least 4 units of Type 90b purchased in 2015^[10]

• Myanmar Army - 20 units of Type-81^[11] and 20 units of Type-90^[11]

• Namibian Army- at least 2 Units have been observed in public appearances.

• Pakistan Army - Type 83 produced locally as the "Azar".^{[11] [12]}

• Peruvian Army - 27 units of Type 90B purchased in January 2014^[10]

• Sudanese Land Forces - In service as of 2023.^[13]

See also

• PHL-03

Chinese truck-mounted 300 mm multiple rocket launcher.

• PHL-16

Chinese truck-mounted 370 mm multiple rocket launcher.

References

• Book: The Military Balance 2021. February 2021. 121. 9781032012278. Routledge. . International Institute for Strategic Studies. International Institute for Strategic Studies.

External links

• Technical data of the Type 81 SPRL

Notes and References

1. Web site: Type 81 / Type 89 / Type 90 122mm Rocket Launcher . Fas.org . 1999-11-16 . 2018-05-23.
2. Web site: Type 81 / Type 89 / Type 90 122mm Rocket Launcher . 11 July 2011 . globalsecurity.org . 7 January 2013.
3. Web site: BM-21 122-mm Multiple Rocket Launcher . 11 July 2011 . globalsecurity.org . 7 January 2013.
4. Web site: Appraisal of PLA Artillery Modernisation . Centre for Land Warfare Study . 7 April 2020 .
5. Web site: Type 81 / Type 89 / Type 90 122mm Rocket Launcher .
6. Web site: CHINA DEVELOPS TYPE 90A 122 MM MULTIPLE SYSTEM, Archived . 2009 . Jane's . 3 March 2013.
7. Web site: NORINCO 122 mm (40-round) Type 90B multiple rocket system (China), Multiple rocket launchers . https://web.archive.org/web/20110208013009/http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/NORINCO-122-mm-40-round-Type-90B-multiple-rocket-system-China.html . dead . February 8, 2011 . 2009 . Jane's . 3 March 2013.
8. Book: International Institute for Strategic Studies . The Military Balance 2021 . Routledge . 2021 . 9781032012278 . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 251.
9. Web site: Trade Registers. armstrade.sipri.org.
10. Web site: Indonesian Marine Corps receives four Type 90B Multiple Launch Rocket Systems from China 22912162 | December 2016 Global Defense Security news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2016 | Archive News year . 29 December 2016 .
11. Web site: SIPRI Trade Register. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
12. Book: International Institute for Strategic Studies . The Military Balance 2023 . 15 February 2023 . Routledge . 280 . 978-1032508955 . 1st . International Institute for Strategic Studies .
13. Web site: From Conflict to Conflict: Sudan's Fighting Vehicles .