In another picture, a shallow-draft boat is shown mounted to a wheeled trailer by means of an elaborate system of pistons and hinges. On the boat, an exposed crew is firing a pair of HJ-73 Red Arrow ATGMs. One can speculate that the intent of this contraption is to simulate the effects of an unstable marine platform for an ATGM gunner. For a missile like the HJ-73 with its' requirement for command guidance to the target, this would be a very challenging environment indeed. Just the mating of this land system to a boat intimates that the PLA is seeking additional amphibious fire support. But while the tanks and howitzers chained to the cargo ship deck appeared very ad hoc, this simulation device represents considerably more effort in planning giving credence that it may not be just for deception. Further, it exhibits what may only be the tip of the iceberg in land-based training for fighting afloat. It is possible an entire range of crew-served weapons could be mated to articulated platforms and used to familiarize large numbers of soldiers on fighting afloat. While the accuracy of these techniques might be in doubt, the suppressive effects of massed fire are not. Indoctrinating individual soldiers to fire while they close on a beach represents a significant increase in volume of fire going ashore.

 

Some weapons have been converted from land-based systems into dedicated maritime fire support providers. For example, the 40 tube 122mm Type 81 truck mounted MRL has been re-engineered recently and produced as a shipboard weapon. The relatively simple design, target saturation, and low-recoil of this weapon make it very compatible with installation on cargo ships. A recent Chinese-language article by Zhang Fanghui described the significant redesign that went into converting these land-based launchers to naval weapons:

 

"The stabilizer system includes the base platform, a model computer, electric motors, and integrated controller, and power source. Its main function is to enable a stable line of fire even during ship movement and to ensure rockets fire accurately. The stabilizer's operation is based on the sensors placed in the base platform, and its signals to the model computer, and compares these to the fire solution to make the necessary adjustment to the MRL using electric motors. To ensure the optimal operation, the stabilizer must be able to make adjustment rapidly. The Rockets are fired in .5 second intervals [6]."

 

The article further goes on to state that the launchers were designed for use in rough sea states on small vessels. The Russians also currently manufacture a similar system known as the A-215 which fires the same 122mm rockets as the Type 81 MRL [7]. These 122mm bolt-on launchers represent the hardest evidence that arming of cargo ships is not just a ruse, but rather an active effort to achieve a fire support capability. Both the effort that went into designing and producing the launchers, and the substantial utility of their employment, makes a strong case for a PLA looking for amphibious firepower.

 

 

<< Previous | Next Page >>