Royal Moroccan Army has received additional AR2 multiple rocket launcher (MLRS) from Chinese state-owned defense corporation Norinco. The AR2 , also referred to as the PHL-03, 12 round 300mm multiple launch rocket system is a Chinese version of a Soviet BM-30 Smerch. It was developed by NORINCO and reportedly entered service with the Chinese army in 2004-2005. Currently, it is one of the most powerful multiple-launch artillery rocket systems in the world. It is in service with Royal Moroccan Army with one battalion with 36 multiple rocket launchers.
The AR2 is a 12-tube 300 mm long-range multiple rocket launcher of the People’s Republic of China. It consists of rockets, launchtube group, launch vehicles, command vehicles and transport vehicle components. The system consists of six launchers and is able to launch 72 rockets in 30 seconds and can be reloaded in 30 minutes. The PHL-03 is mounted on a Wanshan WS2400 special 8×8 chassis. The reloading vehicle is based on the same 8×8 chassis and is fitted with a hydraulic crane. It carries 12 rockets.
The PHL-03 has the same configuration with original Russian counterpart with 12 launch tubes for 300 mm artillery rockets. A standard weight for each rocket is 800 kg with 280 kg of warhead. Maximum firing range is depending on warhead type which around 70 – 130 km. Standard warhead is High Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FRAG), fuel-air explosive, and cluster warheads with anti-armor and anti-personnel submunitions. Cluster warhead can also carry self-targeting anti-tank munitions. A full salvo of this system could potentially cover an area of up to 67 hectares.
