DZJ-08 Multi-purpose rocket launcher

[Zarvan]

The DZJ-08 rocket launcher is widely used by the Chinese military



Country of origin China
Entered service 2008 (?)
Caliber 80 mm
Rocket 80 x 428 mm
Weight 7.5 - 7.6 kg
Length 971 mm
Muzzle velocity 172 m/s
Sighting range ?
Range of effective fire 200 - 300 m
Armor penetration 25 mm
Concrete penetration 500 mm


The DZJ-08 is a single-use rocket launcher, designed to for various roles. Its Chinese official designation is Type 08 Individual Multi-Purpose Assault Ammunition System. This weapon can be used against lightly armored vehicles, buildings, bunkers, field fortifications, infantry in open terrain or in trenches. This weapon can be used against various other targets. One of its roles is to breach the walls in order to allow forced entries into buildings. Development of this weapon commenced in 2000. It has a number of features of aPF-89 anti-tank rocket launcher, including the same 80 mm bore. Also this Chinese weapon has some features of a German Armbrust anti-tank rocket launcher, including a countermass which allows to use this weapon in confined spaces. Though its rocket is of new design. It became a successor to the PF-89A multi-purpose rocket launcher. The DZJ-08 can be seen as a next-generation version of the PF-89A. It was reportedly adopted in 2008. Currently the DZJ-08 is produced in quantity and is widely used by Chinese military.

The DZJ-08 is a single-use weapon. Once the rocket is launched empty tube is discarded as far as it can not be reloaded. It uses an 80 mm rocket with tandem multi-purpose warhead. The rocket is factory fitted and sealed in the fiberglass launcher. The rocket weights 1.65 kg. Loaded launcher weights 7.5 or 7.6 kg. It is light enough to be carried by every infantrymen as an addition to his individual weapon. Despite improved penetration the DZJ-08 is much heavier than its predecessor, the PF-89A.

The rocket has a tandem warhead. Precursor charge penetrated through armor or structure and makes a small hole for the second charge to pass. The second charge detonates with a small delay, destroying personnel and equipment inside the armored vehicle or building. Also it creates a hole in the brick wall large enough for soldiers to pass.

It seems that at least two different types of rockets are available for this weapon.

The DZJ-08 penetrates 25 mm of steel armor at 65° angle, or around 30 mm of steel armor at 90° angle. So performance of this rockets against armored vehicles is rather humble. Still though such penetration is sufficient to destroy lightly armored vehicles, such as armored personnel carriers. Also it is an improvement over the previous PF-89A. The DZJ-08 performs better against structures. Its rocket reportedly penetrates through 500 mm of reinforced concrete. Such anti-structure rockets are used to create safe entrances into buildings. In many cases entering in buildings through existing doors and windows is not safe as these can be booby-trapped. So it is normal procedure to blast a new hole for entry inside suspicious building. The older PF-89A rocket launcher could penetrate 20 mm of steel armor at 65° angle, or 300 mm of reinforced concrete.

Blast radius of the DZJ-08 rocket is only 7 m. It is relatively small for a weapon of this type. Also it generates less damage than most anti-structure weapons. However minimum range of fire is also only 25 m. This allows to use this weapon at close ranges.

This weapon has a countermass, which reduced backblast area. Due to this feature the DZJ-08 can be used inside the buildings.

This weapon has a simple integral optical sight. It has an effective range of 200-300 m which is adequate for weapon of this type. However there is no provision to mount a night sight.

There is a foldable pistol grip and a carrying handle.

Some sources report that there is another weapon used by China's armed police and intended for wall destruction. This weapon is intended for breaching the walls in order to allow forced entries into buildings. Upon development it was requested that its rocket would have sufficient power to destroy walls, but would not injure people or hostages inside these buildings. This launcher has a tandem type warhead. Its rocket has a range of 50 meters and penetrates through 370 mm of brickwork, making a hole 550 mm in diameter.

http://www.military-today.com/firearms/dzj_08.htm