Thunder 2000 MRL - Program
After the "Thunder"-2000 rocket launched a live-fire drill in the "Han Kuang"-17 military exercise held in April 2001, it was originally planned to enter service around 2002 (the Taiwan Army issued an order in mid-2000), but later, due to a problem with the rocket launch box, the service time was postponed to 2004.
The military stated that the performance of the new vehicle was in line with the specifications issued by the army, and it passed the test and was put into mass production at the end of 2010. On 01 September 2012, it was officially handed over to the 62nd Group of Multiple Rocket Battalion of Artillery Command of the Sixth Army Corps. The Artillery Command of the 10th Army Command of the Army was equipped with an LT2000 company, with three rocket platoons, each with three launch vehicles, one command vehicle modified by Benz Unimog U4000, and three ammunition vehicles modified by IVECO AT8X8.
The original plan to purchase 100 rocket launchers was also reduced to 57. The military originally planned a budget of 14.45 billion in 2011 and 2012 to produce 57 sets of systems. It was estimated that each of the three armies on the island will be equipped with a battalion. However, after comprehensive consideration of factors such as the adjustment of the military structure, and difficulty in obtaining land, the Ministry of National Defense decided in July 2011 to reduce the output to 43 sets, and the budget was adjusted to 13.22 billion yuan.
The Thunder 2000 multi-barrel rocket weapon system independently developed by the Zhongshan Academy of Sciences of the Armament Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense was officially transferred to the Army 01 September 2012. The Army stated that it is expected to increase the power of anti-landing operations.
In September 2014, the Ministry of National Defense sent to the Legislative Yuan in September in the "Five-Year Troop Reconstruction and Policy Planning Report". In the area of ??increased firepower, it specifically proposed that the performance of the Thunder 2000 multi-tube rocket should be improved to target long-range strikes. The research and development test phase of extended-range rockets and long-range tactical missiles planned results similar to the combat power of the US "HIMARS" motorized self-propelled multiple rocket system. In order to strengthen the long-range strike capability, the Ministry of National Defense has approved a total of more than 4.5 billion yuan to develop a long-range rocket with a range of 100 kilometers under the "Leisheng Project." It is understood that the rocket developed by the "Leisheng Project" is a reduced version of the Tiangong air defense missile body. The existing Thunder 2000 multi-tube rocket launcher can carry 4 long-range rockets with a range of 100 kilometers.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences had already shown phased results in the development of the extended-range multiple rocket system. The extended-range Thunder 2000 multiple rocket has a range of more than 100 kilometers. Long-range rockets and longer-range tactical missiles were undergoing continuous verification, and live ammunition testing and verification have also been carried out at Jiupeng base. The extended-range Thunder 2000 multi-barrel rocket system is planned to be equipped with two boxes of medium-range rockets in a full vehicle, the number is about 6 to 8. As for the long-range rockets, it is expected to be able to reach 1 to 2 per vehicle.
In the part of the Thunder 2000 multi-barrel rocket system in active service, according to the latest announcement of the award announced by the Ministry of National Defense on 01 February 2021, the Army Logistics Command Missile Photoelectric Base Service Plant entrusted the Chinese Academy of Sciences to execute the follow-up maintenance case of the Thunder 2000 launch system. The amount reached 1,04337,2716 yuan, and the duration of the case is 2 years, starting on 01 February 2021 this year and ending on 31 January 2023 [Min Guo 112]. In addition, the Army also purchased a self-made positioning and directional device for the Thunder 2000 launch system from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The amount is 160 million yuan, and the delivery must be completed by the end of October 112.
After the development of a long-range rocket with a range of 100 kilometers is completed, it can be deployed in Kinmen and Mazu Outlying Islands to counter the People’s Liberation Army’s 200-kilometer-range Guardian 2 and 400-kilometer Guardian 2D rocket launchers, making these two rocket launchers unable to advance to coastal deployments. The ability to attack Taiwan’s main island has also been greatly reduced.
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