Type 81 122mm Rocket Launcher

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	Weapon: Type 81 122mm Rocket Launcher Type: Rocket Artillery Country of Origin: China Year Adopted: 1981 Caliber: 122mm Action: Multiple Launch Rocket System Overall Length (mm): 10000.0 Weight (kg): 25000.00 Effective Range (m): 20000

The Type 81 122mm Rocket Launcher is a multiple rocket launch system developed by China in the late 1970s as a successor to the Soviet BM-21 Grad. Designed to provide high-volume firepower over a wide area, the Type 81 features a 40-tube launcher mounted on a 6x6 truck chassis, offering both mobility and rapid deployment capabilities. Each tube is capable of firing 122mm unguided rockets with a range of up to 20 kilometers, making it ideal for suppressing enemy positions and delivering saturation fire.

Production of the Type 81 began in the early 1980s, with the system entering service in the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) shortly thereafter. While exact production figures remain classified, the system was produced in significant numbers and became a core component of China's artillery units during the 1980s and 1990s. Additionally, the Type 81 was widely exported to allied nations and non-state actors, appearing in conflicts across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Its modular design also allowed for adaptation to different platforms and integration with newer rocket systems.

The Type 81 122mm Rocket Launcher gained notoriety for its simplicity, reliability, and devastating area-effect capabilities. It played a prominent role in various regional conflicts, including the Iran-Iraq War and numerous skirmishes in Africa. Its ability to quickly saturate enemy positions with explosive firepower made it a feared weapon on the battlefield. Over time, the Type 81 was replaced by more advanced systems, such as the Type 90 and Type 03, but its legacy endures as a symbol of China's advances in artillery technology during the Cold War era.