107mm Type 63 MRL
Operator: | Status: | Number: | Cost: | Acquired: |
Hamas | In Service | >10 | Unknown – acquired from Iran | Unknown |
Hezbollah | In Service | Likely dozens | Unknown – acquired from Iran | 1991- |
Iran | In Service | ~750 | Unknown – acquired from China and North Korea and now locally produced (Fadjr-1) | 1981-1990 |
Iraq | In Service | <100 | Unknown – Iran supplied to Shia militias | 2014- |
ISIS | In Service | <10 | Likely seized from Iraqi and Syrian forces | 2014 |
Jordan | In Service | ~6 | Unknown | 2002 |
Kurdistan Regional Government | In Service | ~12 | Unknown | Post-2003 |
Libya | In Service | <250 | Unknown – acquired from China | 1980-1984 |
North Korea | In Service | >3000 | Unknown | 1982-1985 |
Sudan | In Service | ~460 | Unknown – originally acquired from China until local production began | 2001- |
Syria | In Service | <110 | Unknown – acquired from China and North Korea | 1982-85 |
General Specs | ||||
Country of origin: | China | |||
Manufacturer: | Norinco – but copies have been produced in Egypt, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, South Africa, Sudan, and Turkey | |||
Introduced: | 1961 | |||
Category | Multiple rocket launcher (MRL) | |||
Rocket Weight: | 41.4 lbs (18.8 kg) | |||
Rocket Length: | High explosive (HE): 2.8 ft (841 mm); Incendiary: 3 ft (915 mm) | |||
Barrel/Tube Length: | Unknown | |||
Platform: | Usually towed but frequently mounted on vehicles ranging from light trucks to armored personnel carriers | |||
System Weight: | 1,327 lbs (602 kg) | |||
Caliber: | 106.7mm | |||
Propulsion: | Solid fuel | |||
Guidance: | None | |||
Rate of Fire: | 12 rounds can be fired in 7-9 seconds | |||
Number of Launch Tubes: | 12 | |||
Range: | HE: 5.3 miles (8.5 km); Incendiary: 4.9 miles (7.9 km) | |||
Traverse: | 32 degrees | |||
Elevation: | -3 – +57 degrees | |||
Sights: | N/A | |||
Accuracy: | Low | |||
Crew: | 2-3 | |||
Ammunition: | HE: 18.3 lbs (8.3 kg) warhead; Incendiary: 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg); also can carry a HE frag payload | |||
Notes: | Iranian copy is known as the Fadjr-1, the Turkish variant is known as the T-107, and the Sudanese is called the TAKA-1. | |||
Rockets can be fired independently using improvised launchers however this can decrease accuracy further. |
Sources:
- Jane’s Weapon Systems 1988-89, Ed. Bernard Blake, (Coulsdon: Jane’s Information Group, 1988), page 116 & 117.
- “Trade Registers,” Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Accessed December 2013.
- “Type 63 MLRS 107mm Towed Rocket Projector (1963),” Military Factory, February 28, 2016.
- “Type 63,” WeaponSystems.net, Accessed June 2016.
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