Thailand conducts test-fires of local-made DTI-2 122mm rockets
According to information published by the Defense Studies blog on September 5, 2020, Thailand's Defense Technology Institute has conducted test-fires of local-made DTI-2 122mm rocket from Type 85 tracked APC (Armored Personnel Carrier and Chinese-made SR4 4x4 MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) at Royal Thai Army Artillery Center Range, Lopburi province, in August of this year.
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Test-fire of DTI-2 122mm rocket from SR4 MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System. (Picture source DTI)
The DTI-2 seems to be the second generation of 122mm rocket developed by the Thai defense industry and the Thai Defence Technology Institute (DTI).
The DTI-2 is the multiple launch rocket system research and development project designed and developed by DTI from the prior body of knowledge of the DTI-1 project. By the time that project was implemented during 2010-2014, DTI explored and analyzed research and knowledge development to design a multiple rocket launcher system “DTI-2,” which is a 122 mm multiple ground rocket launcher with a 10 km firing range, and also developed tracked type launch platforms and a mockup of the rocket tube to serve a statistic and dynamic test.
In 2016, DTI has been continuously conducting research and development on the DTI-2 of the 122 mm rocket with different firing ranges for statistic and dynamic tests, carried out detail design and blueprint drawing of the firing system with the provision of tools and equipment to accommodate the prototype of the 122 mm rocket with a 10 km firing range. DTI also developed the firing system and the inner tubes as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Royal Thai Army and DTI at Kao Pu-Loan Artillery Center in Lopburi.
Two types of combat vehicles were used to test-fire the local-made DTI-2 122mm rocket including the T-85 based on the Chinese-made Type 85 tracked armored APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) also referred in China as Type YW 531 H and the SR4 4x4 MLRS (Multiple Rocket Launcher System) in service with the Thai army.
In November 2015, at Defense & Security Exhibition in Thailand, Defence Technology Institute has unveiled its new project of tracked mobile MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) based on the Chinese-made APC Type 85 and using local-made rockets of 122mm.
The SR4 is a wheeled multiple launch rocket system developed by the Chinese defense industry. In 2012 Thailand ordered 4 of these artillery rocket systems, which were delivered in 2013. The SR-4 has two pods with 20 tubes each. It fires 122 mm artillery rockets.
Rocket launcher system for DTI-2 122mm rockets mounted on Chinese-made Type 85 tracked APC Armored Personnel Carrier vehicle. (Picture source DTI)
