DTI and Royal Thai Army Test and Evaluate D11A Multi-purpose Multiple Rocket Launcher Prototype

10 September 2024

Thailand's Defense Technology Institute (DTI) and Royal Thai Army (RTA) were testing and evaluating a prototype of the D11A Multi-Purpose Rocket and Missile Launcher at vehicle driving training and testing range of RTA's Army Transportation Department in Kanchanaburi Province on 4-6 September 2024. (Defense Technology Institute)

Testing and evaluation of the prototype of the D11A multi-purpose multiple rocket launcher vehicle, a joint project between the Defense Technology Institute (DTI) and the Royal Thai Army (RTA) at the Army Transportation Department's vehicle driving and testing training and testing field in Kanchanaburi Province on September 4-6, 2024, which occurred after the prototype was delivered to the 711th Artillery Battalion, 71st Artillery Regiment, 71st Artillery Regiment, 71st Artillery Division, Artillery Center, Royal Thai Army at Fort Bhumibhol in Lopburi Province on August 9, 2024.

The latest test at the Army Transport Department's vehicle test driving range in Kanchanaburi Province is an important milestone for the project that will be considered by the Royal Thai Army's Evaluation Test Board to decide on the next production line. It is expected that the actual firing test of the surface-to-surface missile from the launcher will follow later.

The D11A Multi-Purpose Multiple Launch Rocket System (MPS) is a Thai-developed version of the PULS (Precise and Universal Launching System) self-propelled multiple rocket launcher system from Israeli company Elbit Systems that incorporates two modular launchers mounted on a 10-tonne Tatra 6x6 truck chassis from the Czech Republic.

The D11A Multi-Purpose Multiple Launch Rocket Vehicle has the capability to change new rocket pods instantly (less than 10 minutes), supports rocket firing with a maximum firing range from 40km to 300km, from 122mm unguided rockets (Russian GRAD), which supports the DTI-2 rocket developed in Thailand and the Chinese SHE-30 and SHE-40 rockets that can be used with the Chinese SR4 self-propelled multiple rockets that the Royal Thai Army already has in service.

Most recently in August 2024, the Royal Thai Army approved the purchase of 563 SHE-30 rockets for 160,481,855.10 baht ($4,757,837.65) and 505 SHE-40 rockets for 151,730,215.61 baht ($4,498,376.05) from China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), a Chinese state-owned arms manufacturer, increasing the number of ammunition and making it ready for use with existing systems.

While the 122mm Accular guided missile with an effective range of 40km, 18-round firing set (up to two pods, totaling 36 rounds) will be the first surface-to-surface missile to be tested for live firing at the Khao Phulon Artillery Range, Artillery Training Center, Lopburi Province, with a firing range of 19km within the fiscal year 2024, including the 306mm EXTRA guided missile with an effective range of 150km, 4-round firing set (two pods, totaling 8 rounds) and 370mm Predator Hawk guided missiles, effective range 300km, 2-shot launcher (two pods, total 4 rounds). In addition, Israel's Elbit Systems has also offered the SkyStriker autonomous loitering munitions, which can be fired from the D11A multi-purpose multiple-barrel rocket launcher. If it enters production and is put into service, it will greatly increase the capabilities of the Royal Thai Army.

(AAG)