PHL-16

The PHL-16,^[4] also known as PCL-191,^[5][6] is a truck-mounted self-propelled multiple rocket launcher (MRL) system developed by the People's Republic of China.

PHL-16
PHL-16 with tactical ballistic missiles
Type	Multiple rocket launcher
Place of origin	China
Service history
In service	2019–present
Used by	People's Liberation Army Ground Force
Specifications
Mass	45t
Length	12m
Width	3m
Height	3m
Crew	3
Caliber	Depends on munitions: 370 mm (15 in) 300 mm (12 in) 750 mm (30 in)
Barrels	Depends on munitions: 370 mm (15 in): 8 300 mm (12 in): 10 750 mm (30 in): 2
Effective firing range	Depends on munitions: BRE3: 130 km (81 mi)[1] BRE6: 220 km (140 mi)[2][3] Fire Dragon 480: 500 km (310 mi)
Main armament	2 modular launch cells, each can either carry: 1 × 750mm TBM or 4 × 370mm rocket or 5 × 300mm rocket
Engine	Diesel, 8×8 wheeled

Development

It is based on the AR-3 MRL^[7] developed by Norinco.^[2] The AR-3 was marketed in 2010.^[8] The PHL-16 was unveiled during the Chinese National Day Parade in 2019; unlike other rocket systems in the parade, the vehicles were unlabelled.^[7]

Design

The launcher vehicles are operated in a firepower battery. The system is also capable of autonomous operation. A typical battery includes six launcher vehicles, several reloading vehicles, command post vehicle, a meteorological survey vehicle, and other service support vehicles.^[9]

Rockets

PHL-16s with eight guided rockets or two ballistic missiles

See also: BRE (rocket)

Unlike the earlier PHL-03, which is loaded with a fixed type of ammunition, the new PHL-16 has two modularized launch cells, which can carry different types of ammunition. Each launch cell can carry either five 300 mm (12 in) rockets or four 370 mm (15 in) rockets.^[2][4] The export version of the new multiple rocket launcher, the AR-3, can switch to the 750 mm (30 in) Fire Dragon 480 tactical ballistic missile and 380 mm (15 in) TL-7B anti-ship missile.^[10][11] The domestic PHL-16 for the PLA service can also equip the same set of Fire Dragon and TL-7 ammunitions.^[12]

The configuration displayed during the 2019 National Day Parade was with eight 370 mm (15 in) rockets.^[7]

Chassis

The vehicle chassis is based on the 45 t (44 long tons; 50 short tons) WS2400 8×8 special wheeled vehicle chassis.^[13]

Operational history

In February 2023, PHL-16 was observed in deployment by the 73rd Group Army of the Eastern Theatre Command, which is responsible for the Taiwan Strait area.^[14]

In 2024, China inducted the Fire Dragon 480 missiles for the PLA.^[12]

Variants

AR-3

Baseline; first marketed in 2010.^[8]

PHL-16

Development for the People's Liberation Army^[4]

Operators

 People's Republic of China

• People's Liberation Army Ground Force – 120+ units as of 2025.^[15]