A Chinese military expert on Tuesday highlighted the role of the Chinese army's long-range multiple rocket launchers in deterring separatists in China's Taiwan region in an interview following live-fire drills involving the powerful ground force striking systems.
According to the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command, its ground forces conducted long-range live fire drills in the waters to the north of Taiwan Island on Tuesday morning, which have achieved desired results.
The drills were part of the PLA Eastern Theater Command's large-scale joint military drills around Taiwan Island codenamed "Justice Mission 2025," which began on Monday.
Meng Xiangqing, a professor at the National Defense University of the PLA, explained in the interview how the live-fire exercises will deter Taiwan separatist forces.
"One of the most prominent features and highlights of this exercise is the live-fire shooting. Yesterday's drills focused mainly on naval gun firing, while today they shifted to live-fire launches by long-range multiple rocket systems. These systems represent a key main battle asset for the People's Liberation Army Ground Force. To put it simply, in my words, they allow strikes in any desired manner, at any chosen time, and with the capability to reach virtually any targeted location," Meng said.
Featuring a modular design, the long-range multiple rocket launcher can quickly load different ammunitions, enabling flexible shifts between targets at different distances. This allows the system to conduct both all-around firepower coverage and precision strikes, providing it with exceptional operational efficiency and flexibility.
In addition, the multiple rocket system offers the precision of missiles at significantly lower costs, enabling mass production. Free from concerns over equipment supply, forces equipped with long-range multiple rocket launchers gain greater flexibility in selecting combat methods, Meng said.
Another advantage of the long-range multiple rocket launcher is its superior maneuverability. The truck-mounted system can rapidly reach its designated positions, complete firing sequences, and withdraw in a very short time, according to Meng.
The effective range of long-range multiple rocket launchers spans from tens to hundreds of kilometers, placing the entirety of Taiwan Island within striking distance, and enabling high precision strikes on targets anywhere across the island.
Long-range multiple rocket launchers have been extensively integrated into China's modern combat system, serving as an important weapon in countering separatist forces on the island, Meng noted. "The targets for this long-range multiple rocket system exercise were primarily island-sealing and line-severing operations. There are two targets: one being the political center and important ports of Taiwan separatists in the north, and the other being naval ports and harbors along the largest maritime route, also a major stronghold of Taiwan secession ideology in the south. So, the strike targets were precisely aimed at Taiwan separatist forces," Meng said.
Expert highlights long-range multiple rocket launchers' role in deterring separatists
