WS21200

Last updated
WS21200
Type16x16 heavy strategic truck/transporter erector launcher
Place of originChina
Service history
Used by Pakistani Air Force Strategic Command
Production history
Designer Wanshan Special Vehicle
Manufacturer Wanshan Special Vehicle
Specifications
Mass42 t (empty)
Length20m [1]
Width3.3m [1]
Height3.3m [1]
Crew1+4 [1]

EngineCummins KTTA19-C700 turbocharged diesel engine [1]
700 hp (520 kW) [1]
Payload capacity80 tons
Suspension16x16 wheeled
Operational
range
1,000 km (621 mi) loaded [1]
Maximum speed 60 km/h (37 mph) [1]

The WS21200 is a large transporter erector launcher built and developed in the People's Republic of China. Like the WS51200, the WS21200 is not actually used by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, instead, the primary customer is Pakistan. The WS21200 along with the WS51200, is one of the larger TELs developed by the Wanshan Special Vehicle.

Contents

The size of the WS21200 allows it to carry ICBMs, however, the technological limitations of Pakistan has forced the WS21200 to mount medium-range ballistic missiles such as the Shaheen-III. [2] [3]

Description

The Wanshan WS21200 is a Chinese/Pakistani 16x16 road-mobile TEL with a payload capacity of 80 tons thanks to the Cummins KTTA19-C700 turbocharged diesel engine. The 700 horsepower engine allows the WS21200 to drive at respectable speeds with a maximum range of 1000 km. Moreover, it grants the WS21200 some cross-country capabilities, further bolstering its mobility and evasiveness. [1]

Similar to its North Korean sister counterpart, the WS51200, the WS21200 is used primarily by the Pakistani Air Force Strategic Command, which aims at improving Islamabad's nuclear first and second strike capabilities. [4] Although it could theoretically mount an ICBM, Pakistan's limited resources in nuclear and ballistic missile technology and capability, means that the full potential for the WS21200 is regulated in carrying the Shaheen-III and Shaheen-II MRBMs. [5] [6]

Operators

Current operators

Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
Pakistan is the sole and current operator of the WS21200.

Former operators

Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
While not an operator, China is the chief manufacturer of the WS21200 TEL.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medium-range ballistic missile</span> Class of ballistic missiles defined by range

A medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) is a type of ballistic missile with medium range, this last classification depending on the standards of certain organizations. Within the U.S. Department of Defense, a medium-range missile is defined by having a maximum range of between 1,000 and 3,000 kilometres. In modern terminology, MRBMs are part of the wider grouping of theatre ballistic missiles, which includes any ballistic missile with a range of less than 3,500 kilometres (2,200 mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transporter erector launcher</span> Self-transported long range missile system

A transporter erector launcher (TEL) is a missile vehicle with an integrated tractor unit that can carry, elevate to firing position and launch one or more missiles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People's Liberation Army Rocket Force</span> Strategic and tactical missile force of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army

The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, formerly the Second Artillery Corps, is the strategic and tactical missile force of the People's Republic of China. The PLARF is the 4th branch of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and controls China's arsenal of land-based ballistic missiles—both nuclear and conventional. The armed service branch was established on 1 July 1966 and made its first public appearance on 1 October 1984. The headquarters for operations is located at Qinghe, Beijing. The PLARF is under the direct command of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Military Commission (CMC).

The Shaheen-II is a Pakistani land-based supersonic surface-to-surface medium-range guided ballistic missile. The Shaheen-II is designed and developed by the NESCOM and the National Defence Complex (NDC) of Pakistan. The Shaheen missile series is named after a falcon that lives in the mountains of Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaheen-III</span> Medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM)

The Shaheen-III is a Pakistani land-based surface-to-surface medium range ballistic missile, which was test fired for the first time by military service on 9 March 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TA580/TAS5380</span> 8×8 heavy tactical truck

The TAIAN TA580/TAS5380 is a 20-ton 8x8 special heavy duty truck developed and built by Taian Special Vehicle Manufactory and used by the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China as a transport/Transporter erector launcher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WS2400</span> 8×8 heavy strategic truck/transporter erector launcher

The WS2400 is a 8x8 special heavy-duty truck developed and built by Wanshan Special Vehicle and used by the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China as a transporter erector launcher (TEL) platform and is a reverse engineered version of the MAZ-543 missile Transporter erector launcher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WS2300</span> 6×6 tactical truck

The WS2300 is a general purpose 16 tonne 6x6 special heavy duty truck made by Wanshan Special Vehicle Factory and used by the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WS2500</span> 8×8 heavy strategic truck/transporter erector launcher

The WS2500 is a 20-ton 10x8 or 10x10 special heavy duty truck used by the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China. It is one of the principal mobility platforms in mounting China's medium-range ballistic missiles and other conventional missile assets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missile launch facility</span> Underground structure for the storage and launching of intercontinental ballistic missiles

A missile launch facility, also known as an underground missile silo, launch facility (LF), or nuclear silo, is a vertical cylindrical structure constructed underground, for the storage and launching of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs), medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs). Similar facilities can be used for anti-ballistic missiles (ABMs).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakistani missile research and development program</span>

The missile research and development program was the Pakistan Ministry of Defence secretive program for the comprehensive research and the development of guided missiles. Initiatives began in 1988 Benazir Bhutto Government in a direct response to equivalent program existed in India and was managed under the scrutiny of the Ministry of Defence in close coordination with the other related institutions.

Wanshan Special Vehicle, officially Hubei Sanjiang Space Wanshan Special Vehicle Co., Ltd (Ch:湖北三江航天万山特种车辆有限公司), is a truck and bus manufacturer in China. Its WS-series military trucks are used by the People’s Liberation Army; it is a major manufacturer of transporter erector launchers.

The Hwasong-13, also known as Rodong-C or KN-08 under the U.S. naming convention, is a road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile believed to be under development by North Korea. The changes shown in the mock-up displayed in October 2015 indicated a change from a three to two-stage design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WS51200</span> Chinese transporter erector launcher

The WS51200 is an extremely large and heavy transporter erector launcher built by Wanshan Special Vehicle in China. The WS51200 is one of the largest in the WS family of transport trucks and TELs. The size of the WS51200 allows it to carry intercontinental ballistic missiles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TA5450/TAS5450</span> Chinese missile launcher

The TAIAN TA5450/TAS5450 is a 25 ton transporter erector launcher that primarily carries ballistic missiles. However, it is also able to carry other weapon systems such as rockets and conventional missiles. Despite sometimes being called the TA5450, the actual official designation of the vehicle is the TAS5450. The TA5450 is actually the designation of the vehicle's base chassis, while the TAS5450 refers to the vehicle itself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HTF5680A1</span> Chinese missile launcher

The Taian HTF5680A1 is a large transporter erector launcher with a 12x12 configuration. The vehicle comes in two primary variants. The conventional HTF5680 is a 12x12 flatbed vehicle for transport purposes. However, the most common and famous variant is the HTF5680A1 which carries ballistic missiles, most famously, the DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WS2600</span> Chinese missile launcher

The WS2600 is a 22.5 ton 10x8 and 10x10 transporter erector launcher used by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force of the People's Republic of China. It is, along with the smaller WS2500, one of the principal mobility platforms in mounting China's medium-range ballistic missiles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hanyang HY4260</span> Chinese transporter erector launcher

The Hanyang HY4260 is a model of military tractor trucks developed, produced and used by the People's Republic of China. These vehicles are primarily used to mount Beijing's ballistic missile family and are used in conjunction with other transporter erector launchers, to further bolster China's ballistic missile capabilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hanyang HY4330</span> Chinese transporter erector launcher

The Hanyang HY4330 is a large model of military tractor trucks developed and produced by the Hanyang Special Purpose Vehicle Institute, which in turn is used by the People's Republic of China. These trucks behave essentially like conventional transporter erector launchers and as such, are used primarily to offer Beijing second strike nuclear capabilities; bolstering China's ballistic missile capabilities.

The Taian HTF5980 is a large transporter erector launcher used exclusively to carry the DF-41 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. It is the largest known TEL used by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force and the most powerful in terms of carrying capacity.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Wanshan WS21200 Special Wheeled Chassis | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com.
  2. "Shaheen 3". Missile Threat.
  3. "Pakistan's new Shaheen-III MRBM uses Chinese transporter, says source | IHS Jane's 360". 2016-12-09. Archived from the original on 2016-12-09. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  4. https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-washington-times-daily/20160630/281736973764433 via PressReader.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. "Shaheen-III - Pakistan Missile Special Weapons Delivery Systems". www.globalsecurity.org.
  6. "Shaheen-II – Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance".