Type 63 MRL

The Type 63 is a 107mm multiple rocket launcher developed by the People's Republic of China in the early 1960s. It was designed as the successor to the 102mm Type 50-5. While Western sources historically applied the Soviet-style designation BM-12 to the system and attributed its origin to the Soviet Union, the launcher and its ammunition are of Chinese development. The weapon was utilized by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) until the late 1980s. While no longer assigned to active infantry units, the Type 63 remains in PLA service with specialized formations, including mountain infantry and special forces detachments.

The launcher consists of 12 tubes arranged in three removable rows of four, mounted on a single-axle carriage with rubber tires. The system fires steel-cased rockets stabilized by spin imparted by six angled nozzles located in the base. Initial ammunition consisted of the Type 63-2 rocket, which was later supplemented by the improved Type 75 and Type 81 series. For airborne and mountain operations, the lighter Type 63-I variant was developed. The launcher is compatible with various armored and unarmored platforms, including the MT-LB, M113, GAZ-66, and Safir.

The Type 63 has been exported extensively and is manufactured under various designations globally. Licensed and locally produced versions include the Sudanese Taka, Iranian Fajr-1, South African RO 107, North Korean Type 75, and Egyptian RL812/TLC. Turkey produces the TR-107 and TRB-107, which are based on the Iranian Fajr-1. Self-propelled variants include the Chinese Type 81, based on the Nanjing NJ-230 truck, and North Korean models mounted on the tracked VTT-323 or wheeled M1992. Several countries, including China, Egypt, South Africa, and Iran, have developed single-tube man-portable versions for light infantry use.

The system has seen combat in numerous conflicts, including the Vietnam War, the Soviet-Afghan War, and the Tigray War. It is currently operated by many nations across Africa, Asia, South America, and the Middle East. Russia utilizes the North Korean Type 75 variant. In PLA service, the system was historically distributed at a scale of six launchers per infantry regiment or 18 per infantry division.