WS21200

{{Infobox weapon

| name = WS21200

| image =

| image_size =

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| origin = China

| type = 16x16 heavy strategic truck/transporter erector launcher

| is_vehicle = yes

| service =

|title=

| used_by ={{army|PAK}}

{{small|Pakistan Army Strategic Forces}}

| wars =

| designer = Wanshan Special Vehicle

| design_date =

| manufacturer = Wanshan Special Vehicle

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| weight = 42 t (empty)

| length = 20m

| part_length =

| width = 3.3m

| height = 3.3m

| diameter =

| crew = 1+4

| armour =

| primary_armament =

| secondary_armament =

| engine = Cummins KTTA19-C700 turbocharged diesel engine

| engine_power = {{convert|700|hp|abbr=on}}

| pw_ratio =

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| payload_capacity = 80 tons

| suspension = 16x16 wheeled

| clearance =

| fuel_capacity =

| vehicle_range = {{convert|1000|km|0|abbr=on}} loaded

| speed = {{convert|60|kph|0|abbr=on}}

| guidance =

| steering =

}}

The WS21200 is a large transporter erector launcher built and developed in the People's Republic of China. Like the WS51200, the WS21200 is not actually used by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, instead, the primary customer is Pakistan. The WS21200 along with the WS51200, is one of the larger TELs developed by the Wanshan Special Vehicle.

The size of the WS21200 allows it to carry ICBMs, however, the technological limitations of Pakistan has forced the WS21200 to mount medium-range ballistic missiles such as the Shaheen-III.{{Cite web|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/shaheen-3/|title=Shaheen 3|website=Missile Threat}}{{Cite web |date=2016-12-09 |title=Pakistan's new Shaheen-III MRBM uses Chinese transporter, says source {{!}} IHS Jane's 360 |url=http://www.janes.com/article/61862/pakistan-s-new-shaheen-iii-mrbm-uses-chinese-transporter-says-source |access-date=2022-08-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209190836/http://www.janes.com/article/61862/pakistan-s-new-shaheen-iii-mrbm-uses-chinese-transporter-says-source |archive-date=2016-12-09 }}

Description

The Wanshan WS21200 is a Chinese/Pakistani 16x16 road-mobile TEL with a payload capacity of 80 tons thanks to the Cummins KTTA19-C700 turbocharged diesel engine. The 700 horsepower engine allows the WS21200 to drive at respectable speeds with a maximum range of 1000 km. Moreover, it grants the WS21200 some cross-country capabilities, further bolstering its mobility and evasiveness.{{Cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/trucks/wanshan_ws21200.htm|title=Wanshan WS21200 - Special wheeled chassis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508133054if_/https://www.military-today.com/trucks/wanshan_ws21200.htm|archive-date=8 May 2021|url-status=usurped}}

Similar to its North Korean sister counterpart, the WS51200, the WS21200 is used primarily by the Pakistani Air Force Strategic Command, which aims at improving Islamabad's nuclear first and second strike capabilities.{{cite web |last1=Gertz |first1=Bill |title=China sent Pakistan Missile Vehicles |url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-washington-times-daily/20160630/281736973764433 |publisher=The Washington Times Daily |access-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112062807/https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-washington-times-daily/20160630/281736973764433 |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |language=en |date=2016-06-30}} Although it could theoretically mount an ICBM, Pakistan's limited resources in nuclear and ballistic missile technology and capability, means that the full potential for the WS21200 is regulated in carrying the Shaheen-III and Shaheen-II MRBMs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/pakistan/shaheen-3.htm|title=Shaheen-III - Pakistan Missile Special Weapons Delivery Systems|website=www.globalsecurity.org}}{{Cite web|url=https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-threat-and-proliferation/missile-proliferation/pakistan/shaheen-ii/|title=Shaheen-II – Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance}}