According to the official WeChat account “Steel Pioneer” of the 74th Army of China stationed in Guangdong, an artillery brigade of the 74th Army Group of the Chinese Army showed off its new PHL-16 rocket launcher at the opening training mobilization meeting held on January 4. This is the first public appearance of this type of rocket artillery after the National Day parade in 2019.
PHL-16 long-range rocket launcher adopts a modular design and can carry 300mm rocket launcher modules, 370mm rocket launcher modules, or 750mm ballistic missile modules. After being commissioned in the army, Chinese artillery units can attack targets in Taiwan island from deep mainland territory.
Chief designer of this type of rocket launcher, Tang Qizhong, said in a previous interview that the range of this new rocket launcher can reach 300 kilometers and its strike accuracy is very precise, which represents the highest level in the world.
Besides, PHL-16 long-range rocket launcher has an automated loading system. It originally took one hour to load all the ammunition, but now it can be completed in 10 minutes, which greatly reduces the difficulty of use.
Taiwan’s air force bases are geographically close to the mainland, basically within 300 kilometers. This means that after PHL-16 long-range rocket launchers enter service, the Chinese army artillery brigade can cover most of the bases where the Taiwanese air force is located.