The PHL-03, also designated AR2 for international customers, is a long-range, truck-mounted multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) developed and manufactured by NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation). It is one of the most powerful rocket artillery platforms currently in service with the Chinese military and selected export operators.
Country users: China, Cambodia, Morocco, Ethiopia, Tanzania
Technical Data
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Armament
The PHL-03, also known in export configuration as the AR2, is armed with twelve launch tubes configured to fire 300 mm solid-fuel rockets. Each rocket weighs approximately 800 kilograms and carries a warhead weighing between 235 and 280 kilograms, depending on its type. The PHL-03 is capable of firing various warhead types, including high-explosive fragmentation, thermobaric (fuel-air explosive), and cluster munitions equipped with anti-armor or anti-personnel submunitions. Some advanced warheads use sensor-fused munitions for precise targeting. The system’s maximum range varies with the rocket type, starting from about 70 kilometers and extending up to 130 kilometers for standard rockets. Newer guided variants reportedly reach 160 kilometers. The PHL-03 can deliver a full salvo in under one minute, saturating large target areas with devastating effect.
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Design and protection
The PHL-03 is based on an 8x8 military truck chassis and features a design that includes three main sections: the crew cabin, the launch module, and support systems. The front cabin accommodates four crew members and is lightly armored, providing basic protection against small arms fire and shell fragments. Behind the cabin lies the launcher platform, which supports twelve 300 mm rocket tubes arranged in three horizontal rows of four. The launch module is hydraulically stabilized and can be elevated and rotated for targeting. Underneath or between the launch platform and cabin is the auxiliary power unit, which powers electronic systems when the main engine is off. The vehicle does not include dedicated armor or active protection systems, relying instead on speed, mobility, and shoot-and-scoot tactics for battlefield survivability.
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Mobility
The PHL-03 is based on the Wanshan WS2400 8x8 heavy military truck chassis, which provides the mobility and payload capacity required for a heavy rocket artillery system. Powered by a diesel engine delivering approximately 500 horsepower, the PHL-03 reaches road speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour and offers a range of approximately 650 kilometers. The chassis features an automatic transmission system and an adjustable central tire inflation system that improves cross-country mobility by adapting to terrain conditions. The suspension is designed to support the 43-ton combat load without compromising stability during movement or launch. The vehicle can ascend gradients up to 57 percent, traverse rough terrain, and ford water obstacles up to 1.1 meters deep, making it well suited for diverse operational environments.
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Combat Equipment
The PHL-03 is fitted with a modern digital fire control system that integrates GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou satellite navigation. This allows for high-precision targeting and fast response times. The fire control suite includes a computerized ballistic calculator, trajectory correction system, and secure communication links with command elements. The PHL-03 can conduct rapid target engagement, from stopping to firing within minutes, greatly reducing its exposure to enemy fire. It is also capable of coordinated attacks when networked with command vehicles and other artillery assets. In many deployments, the system is supported by unmanned aerial vehicles such as the BZK-006 or BZK-008, which provide reconnaissance, target acquisition, and post-strike assessments. This integration enhances the PHL-03’s role in modern network-centric warfare.
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