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'{{Infobox weapon | name = Type 81 rocket launcher<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/type-81-r.htm |title=Type 81 / Type 89 / Type 90 122mm Rocket Launcher |publisher=Fas.org |date=1999-11-16 |accessdate=2018-05-23}}</ref> | image = File:GunsmithMaster2019-05.jpg | image_size = 300 | caption = | origin = China | type = [[Self-propelled artillery#Rockets and missiles|Self-propelled rocket launcher]]<br>[[Rocket artillery]] | is_vehicle = yes | is_ranged = yes | is_artillery = yes | length = {{convert|9.8|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | width = {{convert|3.24|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|3.50|m|ftin|abbr=on}} with AAMG | weight = 18 to 30 tons <!-- Production history -->| designer = | design_date = 1987 | manufacturer = | unit_cost = | production_date = 1989 – present <!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->| cartridge = | caliber = {{convert|122|mm|in|abbr=on}} (missiles) | barrels = 40 | action = | rate = | velocity = | range = | max_range = | feed = | sights = <!-- Artillery specifications --> | breech = | recoil = | carriage = | elevation = | traverse = 360° | suspension = [[torsion bar]] | speed = 55&nbsp;km/h (35&nbsp;mph) | vehicle_range = {{convert|450|km|mi|abbr=on}} | primary_armament = 122&nbsp;mm rockets | secondary_armament = 12.7&nbsp;mm anti-aircraft machine gun | armour = | engine = WR4B-12V150LB 12-cyl diesel | crew = 5 | engine_power = 520&nbsp;hp (382&nbsp;kW) | pw_ratio = }} The '''PHL-81''' is a truck-mounted self-propelled 122&nbsp;mm [[multiple rocket launcher]] (SPMRL) produced by the [[People's Republic of China]] for the [[People's Liberation Army Ground Force]].<ref name="gs_t81">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/type-81-r.htm |title=Type 81 / Type 89 / Type 90 122mm Rocket Launcher |date=11 July 2011 |publisher=globalsecurity.org |accessdate=7 January 2013}}</ref> The PHL-81 is being replaced by the modernised version [[PHL-11]]. == Design and development == [[File:Type 81 MLRS on Hongyan OQ261 chassis.jpg|Rear view of Type 81 MLRS (SX250 chassis)|thumb]] It is a variant of the Soviet [[BM-21 Grad]].<ref name="gs_bm-21">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/bm-21.htm |title=BM-21 122-mm Multiple Rocket Launcher |date=11 July 2011 |publisher=globalsecurity.org |accessdate=7 January 2013}}</ref> The Type 81 was the first in a family of Chinese self-propelled 122&nbsp;mm rocket launchers.<ref name="gs_t81"/> The system forms the backbone of People's Liberation Army Ground Force's combined arms brigade. Type 81 went through different iterations of modernization to improve the combat effectiveness.<ref name="CLAWS">{{cite web |title=Appraisal of PLA Artillery Modernisation |url=https://www.claws.in/publication/appraisal-of-pla-artillery-modernisation/ |website=Centre for Land Warfare Study }}</ref> The [[Spin-stabilisation|spin-stabilized]] rocket fired by the Type 81 may be armed with a [[high explosive]] warhead or a steel fragmentation warhead.<ref name="gs_t81"/> == Variants == ;Type 81: Designation: '''PHL-81'''. The Type 81 mounts a 40-round launcher on an Hongyan CQ261 6X6 truck chassis. The truck was later changed to a [[Shaanxi SX250]] in 1975.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/type-81-r.htm | title=Type 81 / Type 89 / Type 90 122mm Rocket Launcher }}</ref><ref name="gs_t81"/> ;Type 83: Improved variant of Type 81. The Type 83 mounts a 24-round launcher on a 6x6 truck chassis.<ref name="gs_t81"/> ;Type 89: Designation '''PHZ-89'''. This is an improved variant of the original Type 81 MRL system. It was adopted by the PLA in 1989. The Type 89 mounts a new type of 40-round box launcher on the armored tracked chassis of the [[Type 83 SPH|Type 83 self-propelled gun]]. The rockets may be fired in 20 seconds. The launcher is mounted at the rear with a reload pack in front.<ref name="gs_t81"/> ;Type 90: Designation '''PHL-90'''. The Type 90 shares the 40-round launcher with PHZ-89, but the rockets are mounted on a Tiema SC2030 6X6 truck. The truck also carries a reload pack of 40 additional rockets; the launcher to be reloaded within 3 minutes.<ref name="gs_t81"/> ;Type 90A: Designation '''PHL-90A'''. The Type 90A is an upgrade of the Type 90. The 40-round launcher is mounted on a [[XC2200|Tiema XC2200]] 6×6 truck, has improved fire control, and a battery may be remotely controlled by a command vehicle. It is manufactured by [[Norinco]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Missiles-And-Rockets-97/CHINA-DEVELOPS-TYPE-90A-122-MM-MULTIPLE-SYSTEM.html |archiveurl=https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:U_QBnYMCknIJ:http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Missiles-And-Rockets-97/CHINA-DEVELOPS-TYPE-90A-122-MM-MULTIPLE-SYSTEM.html%2Bhttp://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Missiles-And-Rockets-97/CHINA-DEVELOPS-TYPE-90A-122-MM-MULTIPLE-SYSTEM.html&aqs=chrome.0.57j0l2j60l2j0.1345&gbv=1&hl=en&ct=clnk |title=CHINA DEVELOPS TYPE 90A 122 MM MULTIPLE SYSTEM, Archived |archivedate=15 Jan 2013 |date=2009 |publisher=Jane's |accessdate=3 March 2013}}</ref> ;Type 90B: The Type 90B is an upgrade of the Type 90A. The 40-round launchers are mounted on a Beifang Benchi 2629 6×6 trucks. The system adds [[WZ551]] reconnaissance vehicles, and the command vehicle has improved command and fire control systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/NORINCO-122-mm-40-round-Type-90B-multiple-rocket-system-China.html. |archiveurl=https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:tCMLp5PeE8UJ:http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/NORINCO-122-mm-40-round-Type-90B-multiple-rocket-system-China.html%2BType+90+rocket+jane&aqs=chrome.0.57j0l2j60l2j0.1345&gbv=1&hl=en&ct=clnk |archivedate=13 Feb 2013 |title=NORINCO 122 mm (40-round) Type 90B multiple rocket system (China), Multiple rocket launchers |date=2009 |publisher=Jane's |accessdate=3 March 2013}}</ref> ==Operators== [[File:MA-Type-81-MLR.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.2|Type-81 MLRS of [[Myanmar Army]].]] ;{{CHA}} * [[Chadian Ground Forces]] - 5 units in service as of 2021{{sfn|The Military Balance 2021|p=457}} ;{{CHN}} * [[People's Liberation Army Ground Force]] - 550 units of PHL-81/PHL-90; 350 unit of PHL-11; 375 units of PHZ-89; 700 units of PHL-81 in storage.<ref name="IISS2021_p251">{{cite book |author=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title = The Military Balance 2021 | publisher = Routledge | year = 2021 | isbn = 9781032012278 | author-link = International Institute for Strategic Studies | page = 251}}</ref> ;{{GAB}} *[[Gabonese Army]] - 4 units of Type 90 were delivered in 2004<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|title=Trade Registers|website=armstrade.sipri.org}}</ref> ;{{GHA}} *[[Ghana Army]] - 3 units in service as of 2021{{sfn|The Military Balance 2021|p=469}} ;{{IDN}} *[[Indonesian Marine Corps]] - At least 4 units of Type 90b purchased in 2015<ref name="armyrecognition.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/december_2016_global_defense_security_news_industry/indonesian_marine_corps_receives_four_type_90b_multiple_launch_rocket_systems_from_china_22912162.html | title=Indonesian Marine Corps receives four Type 90B Multiple Launch Rocket Systems from China 22912162 &#124; December 2016 Global Defense Security news industry &#124; Defense Security global news industry army 2016 &#124; Archive News year }}</ref> ;{{MYA}} *[[Myanmar Army]] - 20 units of Type-81<ref name=SIPRI>{{cite web|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|title=SIPRI Trade Register|publisher=[[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]]}}</ref> and 20 units of Type-90<ref name=SIPRI/> ;{{NAM}} *[[Namibian Army]]- at least 2 Units have been observed in public appearances. ;{{PAK}} *[[Pakistan Army]] - 100+ Type 83 produced locally as the "Azar".<ref name="SIPRI"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2023 |date=15 February 2023 |publisher=Routledge |page=280 |isbn=978-1032508955 |edition=1st |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies }}</ref> ;{{PER}} *[[Peruvian Army]] - 24 units of Type 90B purchased in January 2014<ref name="armyrecognition.com"/> ;{{SUD}} * [[Sudanese Armed Forces|Sudanese Land Forces]] - In service as of 2023.<ref>https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2023/04/from-conflict-to-conflict-sudans.html</ref> == See also == *[[PHL-03]]: Chinese truck-mounted 300&nbsp;mm multiple rocket launcher. *[[PHL-16]]: Chinese truck-mounted 370&nbsp;mm multiple rocket launcher. == References == {{reflist}} * {{cite book|title=The Military Balance 2021|date=February 2021|volume=121|isbn=9781032012278|publisher=Routledge|ref={{harvid|The Military Balance 2021}}|author=International Institute for Strategic Studies|author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies}} == External links == * [http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/type-81-r.htm Technical data of the Type 81 SPRL] {{PRCAFVs}} [[Category:Self-propelled artillery of the People's Republic of China]] [[Category:122 mm artillery]] [[Category:Self-propelled rocket launchers]] [[Category:Multiple rocket launchers]] [[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1980s]]'