PHL-16
The PHL-16, also known as PCL-191 and PCH-191, is a truck-mounted self-propelled multiple rocket launcher (MRL) system developed by the People's Republic of China.
Also recorded as PCL191
PHL-16
中国新闻社 · CC BY 4.0
- Name
- PHL-16
- Field
- multiple rocket launcher
- Region
- People's Republic of China
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In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — PHL-16 • Origin — China • Type — Multiple rocket launcher • Is Artillery — yes • Is Vehicle — yes • Service — 2019–present • Used By — People's Liberation Army Ground Force • Weight — 45t • Length — 12m • Width — 3m • Height — 3m • Crew — 3 • Caliber — Depends on munitions: • Barrels — Depends on munitions: • 8 • 10 • 2 • Range — Depends on munitions: BRE3: BRE6: BRE8: FD480: • Primary 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
Development
It is based on the AR-3 MRL developed by Norinco. The AR-3 was marketed in 2010. The PHL-16 was unveiled during the Chinese National Day Parade in 2019; unlike other rocket systems in the parade, the vehicles were unlabelled.
Design
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.
Rockets
Rockets
• Illustration — PHL-16s with eight guided rockets or two ballistic missiles 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 rockets or four rockets. The export version of the new multiple rocket launcher, the AR-3, can switch to the Fire Dragon 480 tactical ballistic missile and TL-7B anti-ship missile. The domestic PHL-16 for the PLA service can also equip the same set of Fire Dragon and TL-7 ammunitions. The configuration displayed during the 2019 National Day Parade was with eight rockets.
Chassis
Chassis
The vehicle chassis is based on the WS2400 8×8 special wheeled vehicle chassis.
Operational history
Operational history
In February 2023, PHL-16 was observed to be deployed in the 73rd Group Army of the Eastern Theatre Command, which is responsible for the Taiwan Strait area. The Naval War College noted that the PHL-16 (PCL-191) is capable of providing precision strikes from away, allowing the PLA Ground Force to target ground forces, air defense, and coastal defense systems on the island of Taiwan with tactical missiles. The PHL-16 improved PLAGF's organic fire support capability. In 2024, China inducted the Fire Dragon 480 missiles for the PLA.
Variants
Variants
• AR-3: Baseline; first marketed in 2010. • PHL-16: Development for the People's Liberation Army
Operators
Operators
• People's Liberation Army Ground Force – 120+ units as of 2025.
Text attribution
Licensing
Text attribution
Part of the biographical narrative on this page reuses licensed material. Its origin, revision and licence are recorded here.
The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article PHL-16, revision 1367459244 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.China deploys PHL-16 MLRS along Taiwan Strait. 28 February 2023.
- 2.China deploys PHL-16 MLRS along Taiwan Strait. 28 February 2023.
- 3.https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?params=/context/cmsi-maritime-reports/article/1031/&path_info=CMR_32_Arostegui_FINAL_3_NOV_2023.pdf
- 4.https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?params=/context/cmsi-maritime-reports/article/1031/&path_info=CMR_32_Arostegui_FINAL_3_NOV_2023.pdf
- 5.Verma, Vivek. Appraisal of PLA Artillery Modernisation. Issue Briefs. Centre for Land Warfare Studies. 220. 7 April 2020.
- 6.Kajal, Kapil. From nuclear triad to hypersonics: What China unveiled in largest military parade ever. Interesting Engineering. 3 September 2025.
- 7.China tests new rocket launcher near disputed border with India. The Times. 19 July 2022.
- 8.Chan, Minnie. China's new PCL191 multiple launch rocket system casts shadow over Taiwan Strait. South China Morning Post. 7 December 2019.
- 9.Foss, Christopher F. Long-range firepower [IDX15D2]. Jane's 360. 24 February 2015.
- 10.AR3 / PHL-16 - 300/370 mm. GlobalSecurity.org. 1 October 2019.
- 11.PHL-16. Military Today. December 2024.
- 12.New rocket launcher shows versatility, superiority: Report. China Military. Global Times. March 2022.
- 13.DSA 2018: China's NORINCO Showcasing TL-7B Anti-ship Missile. Navy Recognition. 2018-04-17.
- 14.Feature: China sets sights on modernisation targets. Janes. 17 January 2025.
- 15.China 'to offer Malaysia radar, rocket launchers based in Johor'. Today. 2017-08-09.
- 16.Kajal, Kapil. China deploys PHL-16 MLRS along Taiwan Strait. Janes. 28 February 2023.
- 17.Arostegui, Joshua. China Maritime Report No. 32: The PCH191 Modular Long-Range Rocket Launcher: Reshaping the PLA Army's Role in a Cross-Strait Campaign. U.S. Naval War College. 3 November 2023.
- 18.International Institute for Strategic Studies: The Military Balance 2025, p.242
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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