The China National Precision Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CPMIEC) has confirmed to Jane's that its P12 tactical surface-to-surface missile (SSM) system is now undergoing final qualification trials with the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
For enhanced strategic mobility, the missiles are transported and launched from a 6 x 6 chassis with a maximum road speed of 80 km/h and maximum road range of 2,000 km, according to CPMIEC.
The launcher carries two SSMs that are kept in the horizontal position and under full environmental protection during transportation.
CPMIEC says it takes about 18 minutes to prepare the P12 system to launch the first missile, with the second missile being launched three to five minutes later. The company claims the P12 can normally be taken out of action in under five minutes and moved to a safe position where new missiles can be rapidly loaded.
The solid-propellant missile used with the P12 system has a minimum range of 50 km, a maximum range of 150 km and has a launch weight of about 2,070 kg, of which about 450 kg is the warhead. CPMIEC said the missile has a diameter of 600 mm with the four fins having a span of 1,200 mm.
The missile is claimed to have an accuracy of within 80 m and 120 m when fitted with an inertial guidance system or within 30 m and 50 m when fitted with what CPMIEC terms a 'composite guidance system', which could be GPS/INS.
Two warheads are currently being marketed with the P12 system: high explosive or submunition. For the PLA, however, it is logical that a tactical nuclear warhead would also be available as well as perhaps other types of warhead.
The P12 transporter erector launcher is backed up by a number of support vehicles including missile resupply, command post and maintenance vehicles.
In many respects, the Chinese P12 SSM system is very similar to the export Russian Iskander-E SSM, which is transported and launched from an 8 x 8 cross-country chassis. The Russian missiles are, however, heavier and larger than the missiles used with the Chinese P12 system.
The export version of the Russian missile has a quoted launch weight of about 3.8 tonnes, a maximum range of 280 km and a minimum range of 50 km. It also carries two missiles that are retracted into the launcher when travelling. The missiles used by the Russian Army have a longer range of 400 km.
It is possible that the export version of the P12 system has a reduced range when compared to the system developed to meet the requirements of the PLA, along similar lines to what Russia has done with its Iskander-E.
