Is PHL16 China's Answer to US Himars?

Overview of the PHL-16: China's Advanced Multiple Rocket Launcher

As tensions continue to rise across the Taiwan Strait, Beijing has significantly increased its military capabilities to prepare for potential conflicts in the region. Among the key weapons systems contributing to this effort is the PHL-16, a truck-mounted self-propelled multiple rocket launcher (MRL) known for its modular design and long-range precision-strike capabilities.

The PHL-16 is often compared to the U.S.-developed High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars), which has been deployed by Taiwan. This system represents a significant advancement in China’s artillery technology, offering flexibility and strategic advantage on the battlefield.

Development and Design of the PHL-16

The PHL-16, also known as PCL-191, was developed by Norinco, a Chinese ground-based weapons manufacturer. It was first publicly unveiled during the 2019 military parade celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The design was based on the earlier AR-3 model, developed in 2010.

The PHL-16 measures approximately 12 meters in length, 3 meters in width, and 3 meters in height. It features eight barrels for ammunition and is operated by three crew members. Its mobility is ensured by the WS2400 8x8 special heavy-duty truck, allowing for rapid deployment and redeployment, enhancing its survivability against counter-battery fire.

The modular design of the PHL-16 allows it to fire rockets of different calibers with various firing ranges, making it adaptable for engaging different targets from a single platform. This flexibility is crucial for modern warfare, where the ability to respond quickly to changing conditions is essential.

Technological Advancements

The PHL-16 incorporates several advanced technologies that enable precise long-range strikes, a critical feature in modern ground warfare. Unlike its predecessors, such as the PHL-03, which used fixed ammunition, the PHL-16's modular launch system can be quickly reconfigured to switch between rocket and missile configurations. This adaptability allows crews to adjust to changing battlefield conditions swiftly.

The system can launch a variety of ammunition, including 300mm rockets with a range up to 130km and 370mm rockets with a range up to 300km. It can also carry larger calibre rockets such as the 750mm Fire Dragon 480 tactical ballistic missile, which has a range of up to 500km. Depending on the situation, the system can be configured to carry either eight 370mm guided rockets or two 750mm Fire Dragon 480 missiles.

The 370mm guided rockets are notable for their precision and ability to deploy airburst munitions, which detonate above the target, maximizing their destructive radius against infantry, lightly armored vehicles, and air-defense systems. When configured for tactical missile operations, the two 750mm missiles can engage high-value strategic objectives, including enemy command centers, critical infrastructure, and fortified military installations.

Equipped with advanced guidance systems, these missiles provide both precision and significant destructive capability, making them highly effective for neutralizing key targets over long distances. This strategic advantage allows the PHL-16 to compete with short-range ballistic missile systems while offering greater flexibility in terms of payload choices and deployment options.

Deployment and Strategic Significance

While specific details about the deployment of the PHL-16 are not publicly disclosed, it is known that the PLA Ground Force units operating the system include the 71st, 72nd, and 73rd Group Army under the Eastern Theatre Command. These units are responsible for potential conflict scenarios across the Taiwan Strait, where the PHL-16 could play a significant role in long-range precision strike missions against Taiwan.

Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and has never ruled out the use of force to bring it under mainland control. The United States, while not recognizing Taiwan as an independent state, opposes any forcible change to the status quo and is committed to providing defensive arms to the island.

Since its delivery to the PLA Ground Force, the PHL-16 has been deployed in locations near the Taiwan Strait and has participated in various military exercises simulating potential conflict scenarios. In May 2024, the Eastern Theatre Command conducted a two-day joint exercise in the Taiwan Strait, featuring the PHL-16 among other key weapon systems.

In August 2022, the PLA reportedly fired the PHL-16 from Pingtan Island in Fujian province, only 100km from Taiwan's main island, during a military exercise prompted by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the self-ruled island. The PHL-16 is also reportedly in operation with the 74th Group Army, based in Huizhou, Guangdong province, under the Southern Theatre Command, which operates in the disputed South China Sea.

Comparative Analysis with Himars

Like the PHL-16, Himars incorporates a modular design, allowing a single launcher to be quickly reconfigured to fire different types of munitions, including 227mm M270 MLRS rockets and 610mm Army Tactical Missile System surface-to-surface missiles. While the operational range of current missiles launched from Himars does not match the PHL-16's range of up to 500km, the US is reportedly developing a new series of GPS-guided missiles with a similar range.

For Beijing, the PHL-16 is crucial for both offensive and defensive military operations due to its long-range precision of up to 500km. This capability offers a significant stand-off distance that minimizes risk to the launcher while posing a threat to an adversary's air defenses and strategic infrastructure from a safe distance. This makes the PHL-16 a vital element of Beijing's anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategy, especially in disputed areas like the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait along the first island chain.

The operation of modular MRLs by both Beijing and Taipei highlights the importance of these systems in any potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait. As tensions continue to escalate, the strategic significance of the PHL-16 will likely remain a focal point for military analysts and policymakers alike.