Type 63 multiple rocket launcher
{{Short description|Type of multiple rocket launcher}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Type 63 107mm rocket launcher
| image = H12 Type 63 multiple rocket launcher.JPG
| image_size = 300
| caption = Type 63 rocket launcher
| origin = China
| type = Multiple rocket launcher
| is_ranged = yes
| is_bladed =
| is_explosive =
| is_artillery = yes
| is_vehicle =
| is_UK =
| service =
| used_by = See Operators
| wars = {{Tree list}}
- Vietnam War
- Lebanese Civil War
- Sino–Vietnamese War
- Soviet-Afghan war{{cite book|title=The War in Afghanistan 1979–1989: The Soviet Empire at High Tide|first=David C.|last=Isby|publisher=Concord Publications |date=1990|pages=46–47|isbn=978-9623610094}}
- Iran–Iraq War
- Second Sudanese Civil War
- Yugoslav Wars
- Iraq War
- Iraqi insurgency{{cite web|title=Insight Into How Insurgents Fought in Iraq|first=John|last=Ismay|date=17 October 2013|url=https://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/17/insight-into-how-insurgents-fought-in-iraq/|website=New York Times}}
- Somali Civil War
- First Libyan Civil War
- Central African Civil War
- Syrian Civil War
- South Sudanese Civil War{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=492}}
- War in Iraq (2013-17)
- Second Libyan Civil War
- Tigray War
- Sudanese civil war (2023–present)
- Gaza war
{{Tree list/end}}
| designer =
| design_date = 1961
| manufacturer = State Factory 847
| production_date = 1963–?
| number =
| variants = Type 81 SP version on truck
| weight = {{convert|602|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|2.90|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| part_length =
| width = {{convert|1.65|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|0.91|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=1}}
| crew = 5
| cartridge = HE, HE-I and HE-frag
| caliber = 106.7mm
| action =
| rate =
| velocity = {{convert|385|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}
| range =
| max_range = {{convert|8.05|km|mi|abbr=on|sigfig=1}}
| feed =
| sights =
| breech =
| recoil =
| carriage = Split trail
| elevation = −3° to +57°
| traverse = 32°
}}
File:Type63 107mm multiple rocket launcher.jpg
The Type 63 multiple rocket launcher is a towed, 12-tube, 107mm rocket launcher produced by the People's Republic of China in the early 1960s and later exported and manufactured globally. Although no longer serving with active infantry units, the Type 63 is still in People's Liberation Army service with specialized formations such as mountain infantry units and special forces detachments.{{cite web|url=http://www.sinodefence.com/army/mrl/type63.asp|title=sinodefence.com|website=sinodefence.com|access-date=12 April 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123002839/http://www.sinodefence.com/army/mrl/type63.asp|archive-date=23 January 2010}} The Type 63 was widely used in the PLA until the late 1980s. It was adopted as the successor of the Type 50-5 of 102mm.
China has also developed a Type 63 multiple rocket launcher of 130mm. The RPU-14 is a Soviet 140mm MRL of similar design to the Type 63.
Description
File:IRGC Ground Force Commandos in Pictures-2.jpg]]
The launcher's 12 tubes are arranged in three removable rows of four, mounted on a single-axle carriage with rubber tires. The Type 63 originally fired an 18.8 kilogram rocket (Type 63-2)JAA, p. 594. with a 1.3 kilogram warhead.{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/type-63-r.htm|title=fas.org|website=fas.org |access-date=12 April 2018}} Ammunition for the Type 63 was later improved (Type 75 and Type 81 series), although the overall weight of the rocket remained the same. A fixed amount of propellant is contained in the rocket motor. The steel-cased rocket is stabilized with spin imparted by six angled nozzles in its base.{{Cite journal |title=Despite drones and blimps, rocket attacks in Afghanistan prove hard to stop |author=Jeremy Kelly |date=August 21, 2012 |journal=Christian Science Monitor |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2012/0821/Despite-drones-and-blimps-rocket-attacks-in-Afghanistan-prove-hard-to-stop-video }}{{Cite web |title=Chinese-Made 107mm Rockets Are the Workhorses of Insurgencies (and Goons) |author=Brian Anderson |work=Motherboard |year=2012 |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/107/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408212801/http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/107 |archive-date=2015-04-08 }} The Type 63 was distributed on the basis of six per infantry regiment, or 18 per infantry division.JAA, p. 593. For airborne and mountain units the lighter Type 63-I was developed.{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/type-63-r.htm |title=Type 63 107mm Rocket |publisher=Fas.org |access-date=2013-04-01}}
The Type 63 and its copies can be mounted on different kinds of armoured and unarmoured vehicles, for example the MT-LB, the Safir, the Mamba, the RG-32 Scout, the GAZ-66 and the M113.
Versions
The Type 63 and its rockets are built in several countries including:
- Sudan – Taka.[http://www.mic.sd/idex/en/products/smallarms MIC page on Small Arms including Taka]
- Iran – Fajr-1 of D.I.O. with Haseb-1 rocket.[https://web.archive.org/web/20130810110748/http://www.diomil.ir/pdf/Section3.pdf Defense Industries Organization 2013 Catalog, Section 3: Rocket Industries Group.]
- South Africa – RO 107 of Mechem Developments.{{cite web|url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/Mechem-Developments-107-mm-RO-107-12-round-towed-multiple-rocket-launcher-system-South-Africa.html |title=Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's | IHS |publisher=Articles.janes.com |access-date=2013-04-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503102640/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/Mechem-Developments-107-mm-RO-107-12-round-towed-multiple-rocket-launcher-system-South-Africa.html|archive-date=3 May 2012}}
- North Korea – Type 75.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}
- North Vietnam, Vietnam – H-12.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}
- Turkey – Produced by MKEK as TR-107 "Anadolu" and TRB-107. Actually based on the Iranian Fajr-1 system, after some units were confiscated in a shipping vessel.http://www.acig.info/CMS/?option=com_content&task=view&id=190&Itemid=47 {{Dead link|date=September 2022}}
- Egypt – RL812/TLC of the Helwan Machinery and Equipment Factory (Factory 999).{{cite web|url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/107-mm-12-round-RL812-TLC-multiple-rocket-launcher-Egypt.html |title=Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's | IHS |publisher=Articles.janes.com |access-date=2013-04-01}}{{cite web |url=http://fact999.momp.gov.eg/Ar/MilProductDetials.aspx?pro=hMF/Ihxili5ZUAKbNEFn0Iu8g1ve7yeLfUVhTAlV1yw=# |title=Egypt :: Helwan Machinery and Equipment Co. .::. حلوان للآلات و المعدات :: تفاصيل المنتجات الحربيه |publisher=Fact999.momp.gov.eg |access-date=2013-04-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111220052154/http://fact999.momp.gov.eg/Ar/MilProductDetials.aspx?pro=hMF%2FIhxili5ZUAKbNEFn0Iu8g1ve7yeLfUVhTAlV1yw%3D |archive-date=2011-12-20}}
BM-12 nomenclature issue
NATO and western sources have used the Soviet-style designation BM-12 to describe this weapon system, and further even ascribe Soviet origin and initial manufacture of both launcher and rockets.Jalali; Ali Ahmad, & Grau; Lester W., (2002), Afghan Guerrilla Warfare: In the Words of the Mujahideen Fighters, Zenith Imprint, pg. 407, {{ISBN|0760313229}} However, there is no evidence in non-western sources of Soviet development or production, or of the BM-12 moniker being applied. Very similar Type 50-5 or Type 488 102mm rockets were manufactured in China and used in the Korean War prior to development of the Type 63.http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/NORINCO-107-mm-12-round-Type-63-and-Type-81-multiple-rocket-systems-China.html Type 63
It appears the systems designated BM-12 (for example in Afghanistan and Libya) were or are all of Chinese origin, being merely used or cross-traded by Soviet interests.
Variants
=Multiple rocket launchers=
- The Chinese Type 81 SPMRL 107mm is a self-propelled export version, based on the Nanjing NJ-230 truck.
- North Korea has developed versions with 18 and 24 launch tubes that are mounted on vehicles such as the tracked VTT-323 or the wheeled M1992.
- ROKETSAN of Turkey has designed an improved 107mm multiple rocket launch system, consisting of a HMMWV with two 12-round launch modules and a fire control system. The system uses the TR-107 and TRB-107 rockets but the range has been increased to 11 km.{{cite web|url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/International-Defence-Review-2005/Roketsan-considers-feasibility-of-shore-bombardment-system.html |title=Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's | IHS |publisher=Articles.janes.com |access-date=2013-04-01}}
- T-107M, Vehicle Mounted, 12 Steel Tube MBRL{{Cite web|last=Emin|first=Zafer|date=2016-11-29|title=Roketsan 107 mm çok namlulu roketatar|url=https://teknoformat.com/roketsan-107-mm-cok-namlulu-roketatarcnra-1445|access-date=2021-04-06|website=Teknoformat|language=tr}}
- T-107SPM, Vehicle-mounted 2 × 12 Tubes Disposable MBRL with Insulated Pod
- T-107/122, Vehicle Mounted 3 × 20 Tubes Disposable MBRL with Insulated Pod
=Single-tube rocket launchers=
A number of countries have developed single-tube, man-portable rocket launchers that fire the same type of rockets:
- China: Type 85 with an empty weight of 22.5 kg.
- Egypt: PRL-81, similar to the Type 85 system.{{cite encyclopedia|first=Christopher F.|last= Foss|title=Lightweight man-portable and vehicle-mounted systems|encyclopedia= Jane's Armour and Artillery 1998-99|date=15 June 1998}}
- South Africa: Inflict of Mechem Developments with an empty weight of 26 kg.{{cite web|url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/Mechem-Developments-107-mm-Inflict-single-tube-rocket-launcher-South-Africa.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503102712/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/Mechem-Developments-107-mm-Inflict-single-tube-rocket-launcher-South-Africa.html|archive-date=3 May 2012|date=6 March 2012 |title=Mechem Developments 107 mm Inflict (single-tube) rocket launcher|publisher=Articles.janes.com |access-date=2013-04-01}}
- Iran: Karkhe, Single shot disposable launcher.{{Cite web|last=Oryx|title=The Oryx Handbook of Iranian Fighting Vehicles|url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2020/01/the-oryx-handbook-of-iranian-fighting.html|access-date=2021-04-14|website=Oryx Blog}}
Operators
=Current operators=
File:Arming up - Flickr - Al Jazeera English.jpg
- {{AFG}}{{cite book|title=Afghanistan, Arms and Conflict: Armed Groups, Disarmament and Security in a Post-War Society|first1=Michael Vinai|last1=Bhatia |first2=Mark |last2=Sedra |publisher=Routledge|editor=Small Arms Survey|editor-link=Small Arms Survey|isbn=978-0-415-45308-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P4N9AgAAQBAJ|page=66|date=May 2008}}
- {{ALB}} – 270.{{cite encyclopedia|first=Christopher F.|last=Foss|title=Norinco 107 mm (12-round) Type 63 and Type 81 multiple rocket systems|encyclopedia= Jane's Armour and Artillery 1998–99|date=15 June 1998}}
- {{AZE}}{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}
- {{BFA}} – ~4 {{as of|lc=y|2021}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2021|p=452}}
- {{CAM}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=239}}
- {{CHA}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=437}}
- {{PRC}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|pp=242-246}}
- {{flaglist|Congo-Kinshasa}} – 12 {{as of|lc=y|2021}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2021|p=461}}
- {{DJI}}{{cite book|author-link=Yves Debay|first=Yves|last=Debay|title=VBL Panhard|publisher=Histoire et collections|year=2004|isbn=9782913903166|language=fr|page=120}}
- {{EGY}} - Manufactured locally as RL812/TLC
- {{ETH}} – 25
- {{GAB}} - 25 {{as of|lc=y|2021}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2021|p=467}}
- {{GHA}} – ~3 {{as of|lc=y|2016}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=448}}
- {{IDN}}{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}
- {{IRN}} – 1,300 as of 2020{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=328}}
- {{flagicon image|Liwa Fatemiyoun infobox flag.png}} Liwa Fatemiyoun{{cite news|title=Pour se battre en Syrie, l'Iran enrôle massivement des Afghans chiites|date=25 February 2019|newspaper=France Soir|first=Matteo|last=Puxton|editor-first=Maxime|editor-last=Macé|language=fr|url=http://www.francesoir.fr/en-coop-matteo-puxton/pour-se-battre-en-syrie-iran-enrole-massivement-des-afghans-chiites}}
- {{IRQ}}{{cite book|title=Iraqi army equipment 1930–2017 |volume=2|url=https://archive.org/details/IraqiArmyEquipment1930-2017SpecialReportVol.2|page=[https://archive.org/details/IraqiArmyEquipment1930-2017SpecialReportVol.2/page/n80 81]}}
- {{flag|Iraqi Kurdistan}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=491}}
- Popular Mobilization Forces{{cite news|title=Kataib al-Imam Ali, cette puissante milice chiite qui se bat à la fois en Irak et en Syrie|language=fr|newspaper=France Soir|first=Matteo|last=Puxton|url=http://www.francesoir.fr/politique-monde/kataib-al-imam-ali-cette-puissante-milice-chiite-qui-se-bat-la-fois-en-irak-et-en-syrie-anti-djihadistes-moqtada-al-sadr-bachar-al-assad-batailles-mossoul-alep-tal-afar-exactions-abou-azrael|date=30 August 2017}}
- {{JOR}}{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}
- {{PRK}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=265}}
- {{LBY}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=342}}
- {{MRT}} – 4 {{as of|lc=y|2016}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=343}}
- {{MYA}} – 30 {{as of|lc=y|2016}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=276}}
- {{NAM}}
- {{NIC}} – 33 {{as of|lc=y|2016}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=406}}
- {{PAK}} – Type-81 variant in service {{as of|lc=y|2021}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2021|p=290}}
- {{flagicon|Palestine}} Palestine Liberation Organisation
- People's Defense Units (YPG){{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=Kurdish Armour: Inventorising YPG Equipment In Northern Syria |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2021/10/kurdish-armour-inventorising-ypg.html |website=Oryx Blog |date=29 October 2021}}
- {{RSA}} – (Launchers captured in Angola, rockets manufactured locally){{cite book|last=Heitman|first=Helmoed-Römer|title=The Battle in Bangui: The Untold Story|date=2013|page=7 |publisher= Parktown Publishers|location=Johannesburg|isbn=978-0-9921902-8-6}}
- {{SSD}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=469}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=492}}
- {{SUD}} – 477 {{as of|lc=y|2016}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=471}}
- {{SYR}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=354}}
- {{TUR}} – Manufactured locally as TR-107.
- {{flag|Somaliland}}: estimated12 {{sfn|The Military Balance 2006|p=468}}
- {{VEN}} - Fajr 1{{cite web | url=https://observers.france24.com/en/americas/20240110-venezuela-zolfaghar-boats-military-material-tehran-iran-caracas | title=Venezuela's Zolfaghar boats are just the latest military equipment provided by Iran | date=10 January 2024 }}
- {{VIE}} – Fielded during the Vietnam War.{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War: A Political, Social, and Military History|edition=2|editor-first=Spencer C.|editor-last=Tucker|isbn=978-1-85109-960-3|date=May 2011|ref={{harvid|Tucker|2011}}|page=988|title=Rockets and Rocket Launchers|first=David T. |last=Zabecki}} 360 {{as of|lc=y|2016}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=297}}
- {{ZIM}} – 16 {{as of|lc=y|2016}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=478}}
=Former operators=
- {{BIH}} – Former user
- {{LBN}}
- {{flagicon image|Forces Libanaises Flag.svg|border}} Lebanese Forces{{cite book|first=Steven J. |last=Zaloga|title=Tank Battles of the Mid-East Wars (2): The Wars of 1973 to the Present|url=https://archive.org/details/tankbattlesmidea00zalo_215 |url-access=limited |publisher=Concord Publications |location=Hong Kong |year=2003|isbn=962-361-613-9|page=[https://archive.org/details/tankbattlesmidea00zalo_215/page/n65 66]}}
- 22px People's Liberation Army (Lebanon)
- File:Flag of the Amal Movement (version).svg Amal Movement
- {{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party.svg}} Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP)/Eagles of the Whirlwind
- {{flagicon image|Tamil_Eelam_Flag.svg|border}} Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam: 2{{cite book |title=Humanitarian Operation Factual Analysis July 2006 – May 2009 |publisher=Ministry Of Defence Democratic Socialist Republic Of Sri Lanka |url=http://slembassyusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Sri-Lankan-Humanitarian-Operation-Factual-Analysis.pdf |access-date=9 September 2021}}
- {{MYS}} – retired
- {{flagicon image|Flag of the Tigray People's Liberation Front.svg}} Tigray Defense Forces{{Cite web|last=Oryx|title=The Tigray Defence Forces - Documenting Its Heavy Weaponry|url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2021/09/the-tigray-defence-forces-documenting.html|access-date=2021-09-03|website=Oryx Blog}} − Surrendered to the Ethiopian forces in the aftermath of the Tigray War{{cite news |last1=Misikir |first1=Maya |title=Tigray Forces Start Handing Over Heavy Weapons as Part of Peace Deal |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/tigray-forces-start-handing-over-heavy-weapons-as-part-of-peace-deal-/6913979.html |access-date=11 January 2024 |work=Voice of America |date=11 January 2023 |language=en}}
See also
- {{lwc|T-122 Sakarya}}
- {{lwc|Fajr-5}}
- {{lwc|15 cm Nebelwerfer 41}}
- {{lwc|Fajr-2 (artillery rocket)}}
Notes
{{Reflist}}
References
- (JAA) Jane's Armour and Artillery 1981–82, Christopher Foss (ed.), London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1981. {{ISBN|0-7106-0727-X}}.
- {{cite book |ref={{harvid|The Military Balance 2006}} |author=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2006 |date=2006 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-85743-399-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xyC7AgAACAAJ |language=en}}
- {{cite book|title=The Military Balance 2016|date=February 2016|volume=116|isbn=9781857438352 |publisher=Routlegde|ref={{harvid|The Military Balance 2016}}|author=International Institute for Strategic Studies|author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies}}
- {{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
{{Commons category|Type 63 multiple rocket launcher}}
- [http://ordatamines.maic.jmu.edu/displaydata.aspx?OrDataId=1274 OrData report on 107-mm rocket projectile]
- [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/type-63-r.htm GlobalSecurity on the Type 63 and Type 81]
- [http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/26/maos-rockets-and-the-eastern-afghan-border-war-part-i/ Mao's Rockets and the Eastern Afghan Border War, Part I] [http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/maos-rockets-and-the-eastern-afghan-border-war-part-ii/ Part II] [http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/19/more-on-maos-rockets-and-modern-war-part-iii/ Part III], article series about the use of Type 63 rockets in Afghanistan.
{{PRCAFVs}}
{{Iran missiles}}
Category:Artillery of the People's Republic of China