OVERVIEW: The Type 81 and 89 are Unguided, 122mm, surface-to-surface artillery rocket systems developed by China as a local version of the Soviet BM-21 Grad. It is designed for saturation fire against enemy concentrations using multiple launch rocket systems.

DETAILS: The Type 81 was China's first direct copy of the Soviet BM-21 Grad system, featuring a 40 tube launcher mounted on a 6x6 truck and firing 122mm fin-stabilized rockets. The follow-on Type 89 system introduced chassis upgrades and fire control improvements but retained compatibility with the standard 122mm rockets. These rockets typically carry high-explosive fragmentation warheads and have a  range between 20 km and 45 km depending on the version. Rockets are spin-stabilized, with solid propellant and impact fuzing, designed to strike soft targets and light vehicles over a wide area.

The Type 81 and 89 offers high mobility, quick deployment, and rapid fire support capability for ground forces. Each launcher can fire its full salvo in under 20 seconds and reposition quickly to avoid counter-battery fire.

The WS‑22 is an advanced variant featuring inertial terminal guidance.

Rockets are launched from a 40 tube rail system, mounted on a cross-country vehicle, using onboard or remote fire-control systems. Reloading is manual and typically takes several minutes with crew support.

NOTE:
IOC: 1981 (Type 81), ~1989 (Type 89)
Operators: China, Algeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sudan, Iran, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, UAE, others
Platforms: Type 81 6x6 truck launcher, Type 89 6x6 truck (improved mobility and electronics) PHZ‑89 tracked chassis
Conflict used in: Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), Gulf War (1991), Sudanese Civil War (1983–2005), Yemeni Civil War (2014–Present), Tigray War (2020–2022)

SOURCE:
NORINCO Artillery Systems Export Catalog ; SIPRI Arms Transfers Database ; U.S. Army Training Circular 7-100.3 (Chinese Tactics) ; IISS The Military Balance ; Jane’s Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence