On the ice fields, a steel tide rolls over the 4,800-meter glacier; at the seashore, rocket projectiles whiz through the sky, directly targeting their objectives. China's long-range box-type rocket artillery system is becoming a game-changing force on the strategic chessboard.

In recent years, during military parades, the Chinese Army has gradually reduced the display of traditional barrel guns and instead highlighted the importance of the long-range box-type rocket artillery system. This change not only reflects the modernization of the Army's equipment system but also underscores the core role of long-range multiple rocket systems in modern warfare.

Especially the long-range box-type rocket artillery that was first publicly revealed during the September 3rd parade in 2015 has become a "strategic trump card" for the Chinese Army's firepower strike system and has demonstrated significant strategic significance and deterrent capability in the Taiwan Strait and the Sino-Indian border areas.

The long-range box-type rocket artillery system is equipped with a dual-launch 750mm precision-guided rocket module, with a maximum range exceeding 500 kilometers, ranking it as the top in the world for similar weapons. Its accuracy reaches the meter level, truly achieving "hit where you aim." Video footage shows that even at the maximum range, this rocket can accurately hit the center of the target, indicating its reliability and excellent combat effectiveness.

This rocket family includes three guidance modes: inertial/Beidou satellite composite terminal guidance, infrared terminal guidance, and radar terminal guidance. It can flexibly choose the appropriate attack method based on the characteristics of different targets and the specific battlefield situation, thus possessing the ability to conduct precise strikes in various modes regardless of day or night.

In the Taiwan Strait, many used to think that the army played a limited role in preparing for military action against Taiwan. However, after the deployment of the long-range box-type rocket artillery, the PLA Army's long-range firepower strike range and coverage have been significantly enhanced.

The narrowest part of the Taiwan Strait is about 131 kilometers wide, and the widest part is approximately 410 kilometers. The PHL-191 box-type rocket artillery is one of the two weapons that the Army can use to strike the island of Taiwan from the southeast coast.

Deploying it on the front-line coast of Fujian can destroy a large number of military targets set up by the opposing forces. The fortifications, coastal guns, anti-ship missiles, air defense missiles, minefields, and obstacles such as barbed wire on the western beaches of the island can all be destroyed by the 300mm or 370mm high-explosive warheads.

The PHL-191 remote box-type rocket artillery can be equipped with dual 750mm rocket modules, which have a maximum range of 600 kilometers. If the 370mm rocket cannot reach the target, the 750mm rocket can be used for the attack. Key targets such as airports across the island and the naval base in Taitung are within the range of the 750mm rocket.

Similarly, in the Sino-Indian border area, the long-range box-type rocket artillery also has a significant strategic deterrence effect. The PHL-191 long-range rocket artillery deployed in the Dawa area of southern Tibet covers a range of 500 kilometers, including major supply hubs and bases of the Indian forces in southern Tibet.

Indian media stated that if the PHL-191 long-range rocket artillery uses the standard 370mm long-range rocket, it can reach a distance of up to 350 kilometers. The straight-line distance from New Delhi, India's capital, to the Sino-Indian border is about 310 kilometers.

Those 370mm long-range rockets equipped with simple guidance modules can be used as tactical ballistic missiles, directly attacking New Delhi. The PLA forces stationed at the Sino-Indian border are located at a high-altitude position, which gives them an advantage when attacking New Delhi, so the actual range will exceed 350 kilometers.

Due to its range exceeding 500 kilometers and high-precision strike capabilities, the long-range box-type rocket artillery has actually achieved tasks that were previously only possible with tactical ballistic missiles, but at a much lower cost, thereby achieving efficient cost-effectiveness in firepower suppression.

The 750mm rocket is essentially a tactical ballistic missile, but its price is only one-third of that of a tactical ballistic missile, delivering the same effect as a tactical ballistic missile, with extremely destructive power against the target.

Even more surprisingly, the Chinese Army's long-range artillery units can not only achieve millimeter-level precision strikes on distant static targets, but they can also carry out long-range anti-ship operations, striking moving targets at sea. Of course, attacking Indian military convoys or armored vehicle columns within the country is also no problem.

Although India has purchased various air defense weapons such as the Russian S-400, when faced with the PHL-191 long-range rocket artillery that can be launched in batches, the interception effect of India's air defense equipment is actually very poor, and it can be said that it is almost impossible to intercept.

In August 2022, the Eastern Theater Command organized forces to conduct large-scale practical joint training in the sea and air areas around the island, successfully carrying out live-fire launches toward the designated sea areas.

Several new long-range box-type rocket artillery units of the Eastern Theater Command's ground forces conducted long-range fire drills in the Taiwan Strait, precisely striking a specific area to the east of the strait.

Real-time video footage transmitted by drones showed that the rockets struck the target steadily and accurately. This live-fire exercise achieved the desired results. The newly introduced long-range box-type rocket artillery has a longer range, greater accuracy, and its box-style ammunition replenishment allows the troops to significantly shorten the preparation time before combat.

China's long-range rocket artillery system indeed has significant advantages, but it also faces some risks and challenges:

Modern reconnaissance methods, especially the development of drone and satellite technology, have increased the probability of detecting rocket artillery positions. The enemy may adopt a preemptive strike strategy.

The precision guidance capability heavily relies on satellite positioning. In the presence of strong electronic interference, the strike accuracy may significantly decrease or even fail. Modern warfare is a dynamic confrontation process, and any advanced weapon has its weaknesses and corresponding countermeasures.

The main threats to the rocket artillery come from groups characterized by "reconnaissance drones." With their high vantage point and long flight distance, especially the use of advanced equipment like synthetic aperture radar, reconnaissance drones have a higher chance of detecting the opponent's rocket artillery.

The second danger comes from reconnaissance and strike integrated drones and loitering munitions. These devices can stay in the air for a long time, searching for targets while flying over the battlefield. Moreover, they carry weapons for attacks, so once a target is found, they can easily launch an attack and destroy it.

Currently, the rocket artillery is also facing threats from racing drones. There have already been cases in some hot spot conflicts where racing drones have destroyed enemy rocket artillery.

It can be seen that in modern warfare, seizing air superiority and defending against attacks by low-cost drones are prerequisites for ground forces to effectively utilize their firepower. The comprehensive combat power of the Chinese Air Force can ensure air superiority in key battlefield areas. We also have a relatively complete anti-drone combat system, which can create a safe environment for the deployment and use of long-range rocket artillery.

We can confidently say that the previous concern of the Chinese Army about insufficient firepower has now become a thing of the past. The box-type long-range rocket artillery is an important symbol of the Army's shift towards long-range strikes. "There's nothing that a Chinese rocket artillery can't solve — if there is, then just fire another one." Although this statement is somewhat humorous, it genuinely reflects the PLA's high confidence in the field of long-range firepower strikes.

History has already proven that any attempt to challenge China's territorial integrity will ultimately end up being nailed to the pillar of shame. And China's long-range box-type rocket artillery system is an important strategic guarantee for safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7562102357719400996/

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