China has made
extraordinary advancements in artillery particularly in the wheeled and Multi
Barrel Launch Rocket Artillery systems (MRLS) but more significantly in the
“munitions” field.
In 1944, Joseph
Stalin hailed artillery as "the God of War". During introductory
lecture on Artillery in 1959 at the Military Academy, Artillery was termed as
the “King of the battlefield”; and the Infantry was known as the “Queen of the
battlefield”.
Also,
highlighted in 1959 was that the real weapon is the “Shell”. Guns, howitzers and mortars are delivery
means or platforms. Ironically, the narrative of debates, if any, focuses only
on the number of delivery means; but not on the “Munitions” to inflict
destruction.
Following
state-of-the-art technology developments (Technology Age), there are tremendous
transformations in the artillery combat systems. Recently truck-mounted
howitzers are replacing traditional tracked artillery systems, exploiting inherent
mobility for shoot-and-scoot type attacks and other advantages to include:
·
rapid and
remote automatic loading system;
·
maximum
range from 30 km with ordinary projectile, 40 km with rocket-assisted
projectile and 60 km with Excalibur extended range precision guided projectiles
and compatible with Bonus precision guided projectiles;
·
multiple-round
simultaneous impact firing capability - fires up to 6 rounds in 30 seconds,
each in different trajectories, so that all of the shells arrive on target at the
same time;
·
Brief
redeployment time - Out of action time is also as short as 30 seconds - allows
to avoid counter-battery fire;
·
Less
expensive to produce and to maintain, but as capable as tracked artillery
systems;
·
More
mobile agile than towed howitzers; provide both indirect and direct-fire
capability; and some have armored cabs.
Understanding
the four most significant breakthroughs in PLA artillery is vital to draw
conclusion of their capabilities and includes:
·
China holds the 6 positions in the Top 10 of the MLRS: PHL-03, PHL–16,
AR-1A, WS-2, A-200/300 and A-100.
·
Precision guided munitions.
·
SP wheeled
category in top 10: SH-15
truck-mounted howitzer/PLC-181 New 155 mm
truck-mounted wheeled self-propelled (SP) howitzer;
·
SP tracked category in Top 10: PLZ-52 SP 155 mm, and PLZ-05
155 mm howitzers; and PLZ-07 122 mm
to replace the PLZ-89 with a third generation gun;
Of the four outlined
above, China has made most significant breakthrough in the MRLS and precision
guided munitions systems. Key highlights
are reviewed below:
·
PHL 03: Reportedly entered service in 2004-2005; Maximum range
70-130 km depending on the warhead type and also reportedly a maximum range of
150 km; 12 tubes for 300 mm rockets with digital fire control system and
operated by a crew of 4; standard rocket weights around 800 kg and has a 280 kg
warhead; High Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FRAG), fuel-air explosive, and
cluster warheads with anti-armor and anti-personnel sub munitions. Cluster
warheads may also carry self-targeting anti-tank munitions; Full salvo
potentially cover an area of up to 67 hectares; and paved the way for
AR1, AR1A and
the AR3,
which is currently the most powerful system of this type.
·
PHL-16 or PCH-191: uses 370 mm guided rockets, is a
modified version of the previous AR3 - maximum range of 220 km – with armored cab. It can be configured
to use rockets of different caliber. As per reports, it is capable of launching
tactical ballistic missiles and anti-ship missiles.
·
WS-2, WS-2, A-200/300 and A-100: Export versions.
In the field of Precision Guided
Munitions, Chinese have made significant breakthroughs. Their professional
details have appeared in the June 2020 CLAWS magazine. China’s WS-35 155 mm guided projectile,
maximum range of 100 km and accuracy of 40 meters, 1,620 mm length and weighs
18 kg using GPS (BeiDou) and INS (for backup) with ‘four tail stability wings’
and ‘four stability wings’ on the warhead to adjust the flight attitude mainly intended for the PLZ-05 is capable of
firing rocket assisted shells. At the top of the trajectory, the front part,
which integrates navigation sensors, a GNSS receiver, antenna, control
devices and possibly a seeker, is roll-decoupled. Then
the wings are unfolded that helps to gain additional range.
Furthermore, the characteristics of Chinese
CM-501 system that appeared in the AR3 include: handling of a number of
different sizes of their Spike non-line-of-
rockets that are stored and
fired from pods designed to operate from the same AR3 8x8 heavy truck; capable
of launching tactical ballistic missiles and anti-ship missiles; configured to
use rockets of different caliber;
initial AR3 with 300 mm rockets,
Fire Dragon 480 tactical ballistic missiles and TL-7B anti-ship missiles
; and PHL-16
uses 370 mm guided rockets with a maximum range of 220 km – reach Leh.
Next, the 2-metre-long CM-501GA, diameter 180
mm, weighing 100 kgs and carrying a 20 kg blast fragmentation warhead, is a missile capable of engaging both
stationary and moving targets at a distance between 5 and 40 km. The missile
uses a combined TV/imaging infrared
(IIR) seeker for terminal guidance besides some form of INS aided by the BeiDou
Navigation Satellite System (BDS). The manufacturer claims the missile has a
circular error of probability (CEP) of less than 1 meter.
Also, the 2-metre-long CM-501GX loitering munitions
is more like a miniature cruise missile with pop-out wings and a small jet
engine has both naval and land versions. The guidance options such as
Satellite/Inertial Navigation System (INS), imaging infrared (IIR), semi-active
laser (SAL) homing and in-flight updates for re-targeting coupled with a
modular design makes it a versatile system. It is being introduced in two
configurations: on a 6×6 APC, and on the CSK181 series of mine-resistant ambush
protected vehicles. With an endurance of more than 30 minutes it is designed to
engage targets at a range of 70 km.
Finally, the Chinese are developing the “New
Generation System” to include:
Magnetized Plasma Artillery
that uses magnetic field generator to create magnetic field inside the barrel
instead of gunpowder. According to Global Times, the reduced friction
extends the range of a conventional 155 mm SP howitzer from 30-50 km to 100 km
besides its accuracy.
For Tibetan contingency, China
is developing the world’s first electromagnetic surface-to-surface rocket that
offers greater fire range. The new electromagnetic rockets will be launched
using additional electromagnetic force, like the catapult launchers that China
and the US are developing for their rail guns.
WeiShi-2 (WS-2), a 400 mm rocket system, with
variants having a range of 200-350 km.
In 2008, it was revealed that sub munitions are developed for WS-2,
including a specialized anti-radar version, which is a rocket containing three
UAVs. Once the rocket is fired to the target area, the UAVs are released the
same way as other sub munitions. The seekers then seek out target radar signals
as UAVs begin to cruise, and once locked on to the radar, UAVs would home in
and attack.
Laser Surveillance System combines the use of
Lidar (a portmanteau of light and radar), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 5G
technology to synergize detection and dissemination of the images and
intelligence. Lidar uses ultraviolet, visible, or near infrared light to image
objects like non-metals, rocks, aerosols, clouds and even chemical compounds.
In sum, Chinese are making breathtaking advances
in artillery systems at break neck speed.
With the latest all round technology development like the AI, 5G and
their integration, artillery will dominate the outcomes of battlefield.
According
to Military Balance 2019, there are almost 8,954 artillery weapon systems to
include: 2120 SP; 1234 x Towed; 1250 x guns; 1550 x MRLs and 2,800 x Mortars. Details
of holdings include:
·
SP Guns:
500 x PLZ-89 122 mm; 350 x PLZ -07A 122 mm; 150 x PLZ – 07B 122 mm; 300 x PCL –
09 122 mm; 350 x PLL-09 122 mm; 150 x PLZ82/83 152 mm (in store 200); 320 x
PLZ-05.
·
Towed
Guns: 500 x PL-96 (D-30) (in store 2,800 PL 51-1); 234 x PL-59 130 mm; 500 x PL
(D-20).
·
MRL: 550 x
PHL81/90 122 mm; 350 x PHL-11 122 mm; 375 x PHZ-89 122 mm; 100 x PHZ-11 - 122
mm; and 175 x PHL-03 - 300mm.
PLZ-07 is a self-propelled 122-mm tracked
howitzer designed to replace the PLZ- 89. Developed by China, it is a
third-generation gun based on a second-generation IFV chassis. It features
improved speed, maneuverability, and survivability as well as digitization. It
is the dedicated artillery piece of PLA armored brigades.
But, the latest inductions include the SH-15
truck-mounted howitzer with an armored cabin and armed with a 155 mm/L52
howitzer was first observed in 2017. It is fitted with a computerized fire
control system, navigation, positioning and targeting systems. It is compatible with all standard 155 mm
NATO ammunition. It is estimated that this howitzer can reach a 53 km range
with a rocket-assisted V-LAP shell. This artillery system can use Chinese
laser-guided and GPS-guided munitions. In service with an artillery brigade
under the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command.
Add to it, the PCL-181 155 mm, weighing 25 tons, will be mainly used to
replace the active PL-66 152-mm towed gun-howitzers and a small part of the
remaining Type 59-1 130-mm towed cannons. Compared with the latter two, the
PCL-181 features "fastness" in response, marching, and aiming besides
aiming fast. The system features an
automatic gun-laying system, a semi-automatic ammunition loading system, a digitized
control board, and has room for six personnel in the cabin area (including the
driver).
Following the input of the target
azimuth data, the vehicle-mounted fire control computer can automatically
settle the shooting elements and automatically adjust the azimuth and height of
the artillery. In addition, the PCL-181 is also superior to the PLZ-05 in terms
of maneuverability and operational flexibility in mountainous areas, deserts,
Gobi deserts, and plateaus.
“The howitzer has 52-caliber cannon with a range of over 50km and shoots
laser-guided and satellite-guided projectiles. It will boost the high-altitude
combat capability of the PLA in Tibet,” Song Zhongping, a military expert, was
quoted as saying by Global Times in January 2019.
There are three versions of SP
tracked systems: PLZ-52; PLZ-05 and PLZ-07.
PLZ-52, fitted with a 155 mm/L52 howitzer, is an improved version of a PLZ-05. It has
modified hull and new turret. Range of a standard High-Explosive Fragmentation
(HE-FRAG) projectile is around 30 km and around 40 km of extended-range projectile.
Maximum range of fire is 53 km with rocket-assisted projectile. China developed a GPS-guided 155 mm
projectile. It was claimed that this projectile has a whooping maximum range of
100 km and accuracy of 40 m. It is also capable of firing Chinese precision
guided projectiles that have a maximum range of 20-25 km. This
artillery system has a semi-automatic or even fully automatic ammunition
loading system. Maximum rate of fire is around 8 to 10 rounds per
minute. The PLZ-52 is capable of Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI)
firing. It can launch up to 4 rounds that would hit the same target
simultaneously.
PLA’s PLZ-07 SP 122-mm tracked howitzer, third
generation gun, designed to replace the PLZ- 89
and dedicated artillery piece of
PLA armored brigades.
By the latest inductions, the situation in the PLA Army artillery units
will be thoroughly changed: artillery of 130 mm and 152 mm calibers are likely
to be completely eliminated.
Even the Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) systems like the PGZ-04,
s a self-propelled 25-mm tracked air defense system featuring both
missiles and AAA guns and particularly effective against helicopters and cruise
missiles is in active service. Also, the PGZ-07 boasts dual 35-mm anti-aircraft cannons, with its 1,000
rounds per minute rate of fire as “staggering” and its exterior as “sleek.”
Finally, the HQ-7B Air Defense Missile System (SAM),
developed in 1988, is highly accurate, maneuverable, and equipped with
anti-jamming capability. It has both land-based and marine variants
In
sum, the induction of modern artillery systems with vastly improved ranges,
rates of fire, accuracy and destructive capacity of munitions can have far
reaching impact on the course of battles on the Indo-Tibet border particularly
due to thinness of air which adds to their known ranges. What should concern politico-bureaucratic decision
makers that the Chinese PLA could target, strike and destroy key objectives
without excessive dependence on their air forces operating from high altitude
plateau with Leh within nearly 170 kms from Hotan and Chusul within 40 kms from
Finger 8 area of Pangong Lake in Ladakh. Similarly, key targets in Sikkim and
Arunachal Pradesh are within the strike distance of MRLS systems.
What
should also concern politico-bureaucratic decision makers is that future
battles cannot be fought with limited quantities of “Munitions” imported from
the US like “Excalibur”. If the dream of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” is to be
realized, then focus must be directed to “Made by India” – true indigenization
in all aspects of artillery to include precision guided ammunitions, MRLS and
wheeled and tracked systems – the God or King of Battles.
It
is high time for “Veterans” to “Thump the Tables” and demand development,
indigenization and induction of latest state-of-the-art systems for the armed
forces to deter aggressors in future battles.
For the serving Chiefs cannot express grave concerns in public. Otherwise, the “Blind men of Hindustan” will
continue to indulge in jingoistic rhetoric reminiscent of Nehru’s clarion call
on the way to Colombo in 1962 – “Throw the Chinese Out” – at a great cost to
national security.
(Review of PLA
Strategic Rocket Forces - not being covered. Information available in public
domain)
Article by Brig (Retd) G B Reddy Sir
gundreddi5@gmail.com
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