Chinese Moves To Adopt New Guided Rocket System.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is planning to buy the A300 hybrid rocket system developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

Chinese Moves To Adopt New Guided Rocket System.

This purchase, revealed at the 2015 IDEX show in Abu Dhabi, signals a likely move to upgrade the short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) systems operated by the PLA's Second Artillery Corps (SAC). 

Beyond this operational change, it also highlights how the PLA has encouraged often fierce competition among the design institutes of its many weapons makers in order to accelerate weapons development.

Derived from the 200 km-range A200, CASC's 290 km-range A300 is an innovative two-stage artillery rocket. A larger engine boosts an unpowered second stage with vanes for lift and control fins directed by an inertial measuring unit-navigation satellite (IMU/GPS) guidance system.

It may have a 150 kg warhead and according to a Chinese source could have a range greater than 300 km in PLA service. According to promotional material, the missile has a 30 to 45 m circular error probable (CEP) and can engage eight targets in a 20 km by 20 km area.

An A300 purchase indicates the SAC may also be acquiring the 280 km-range single-stage M20 SRBM. In one configuration shown by CASC, a 8x8 Tai'an transporter erector launcher (TEL) carries one M20 and four A300s.

Starting with 1998 reforms of its logistics department, the PLA has opted against consolidating often redundant weapons manufactures created to support Mao Zedong's 'People's War' strategies, instead funding greater competition to accelerate weapons development. "The PLA is happy they have greater choice," a Chinese official at IDEX told.

Since China's Tenth Five Year Plan (2001-2005) the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) and CASC have developed accurate and maneuverable SRBMs to succeed their respective DF-11 and DF-15 SRBMs. In addition, CASC, CASIC and the China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) have developed new precision-guided long-range artillery rockets that approach SRBM ranges.

CASC even markets a "reconnaissance-strike complex" of missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and command systems as its General Army Tactical Strike System (GATSS). Chinese officials at IDEX explained this concept, developed by a design institute, is approved by government institutions even though it does not represent a PLA operational concept.

CASIC, CASC and NORINCO market medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to assist long-range missile targeting. According to a 2 February report on CASC's website, its CH-4 UCAV is in production. It is not known whether these will also be acquired by the SAC.

CASC is also developing a 80 kg class vertical take-off UAV (VTUAV), as slightly larger VTUAVs are also marketed by NORINCO, Poly and China's Aviation Industries Corporation (AVIC).

A Chinese press report on 2 March indicated that the PLA will purchase NORINCO's new AR3 artillery rocket system, which uses the 370 mm and 280 km range Fire Dragon artillery rocket. This will likely serve in the PLA Army.