The Chinese 107mm rocket launcher that became a global infantry staple

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Developed in the early 1960s, the Type 63 multiple rocket launcher transformed battlefield mobility. Its lightweight, modular design allowed it to be towed by hand or mounted on almost any vehicle. Though no longer a standard infantry weapon, its influence persists through countless international copies and specialized military adaptations.

The Type 63 emerged as a successor to the 102mm Type 50-5 system. It features 12 launch tubes arranged in three rows of four, mounted on a single-axle carriage equipped with rubber tires. The system fires a 18.8 kilogram steel-cased rocket stabilized by spin generated from six angled nozzles located at the base. While the original warhead weighed 1.3 kilograms, later iterations like the Type 75 and Type 81 series maintained the same overall projectile weight while refining performance.

A common misconception in Western military circles involves labeling the system as the Soviet BM-12. Despite NATO and various Western sources attributing its origin to the Soviet Union, there is no evidence in non-Western records to support this claim. Instead, the weapon is entirely of Chinese design, with systems appearing in regions like Afghanistan and Libya likely being Chinese-manufactured units traded through Soviet channels. The confusion may stem from the system's functional similarity to other rocket designs, but historical records confirm its domestic Chinese development.

The system's versatility led to widespread global adoption and local production. Countries including Iran, South Africa, Turkey, and Egypt have manufactured their own versions, often mounting the launchers on diverse platforms ranging from the M113 armored vehicle to the GAZ-66 truck. Beyond the standard 12-tube configuration, engineers have developed man-portable, single-tube versions like the Chinese Type 85 and the South African Inflict. Modern upgrades continue, such as the Turkish ROKETSAN system, which integrates fire control technology and extends the operational range to 11 kilometers, proving the enduring utility of the original 1960s concept.

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