The AR2 is Norinco's export designation for China's PHL-03 300 mm wheeled multiple rocket launcher, a long-range 12-tube system derived from the BM-30 Smerch pattern. Its public conflict record is clearest in Ethiopia, where Tigrayan forces captured Ethiopian AR2 launchers in November 2020 and Oryx reported their subsequent use against Ethiopian forces.
2025 Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict: Thai officials and defense reporting identified Cambodian PHL-03 300 mm multiple rocket launchers, the Chinese service designation associated with the AR2 export family, among Chinese-made rocket systems fielded or reportedly fired toward Thai border areas during the December 2025 escalation.
2020 Tigray War: Tigrayan forces captured Ethiopian AR2 300 mm multiple rocket launchers from Northern Command bases in November 2020, and Oryx reports the captured systems were then put into use against Ethiopian forces.
Sources treat PHL-03 as the Chinese service designation and AR2 as the export designation or configuration for the same 300 mm launcher family.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| PHL-03 | Chinese service designation | Oryx describes AR2 as an export variant of the PHL-03, while Army Recognition describes PHL-03 as designated AR2 for international customers. Sources: From Friend To Foe: Ethiopia's Chinese AR2 MRLs, PHL-03 AR2 MLRS |
The AR2 / PHL-03 launcher family is documented with several 300 mm rocket types, including BRE2, BRC4, and Fire Dragon 140A.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 300 mm high-explosive rocket | Janes names BRE2 as one of the 300 mm rockets used by the 8×8 PHL-03 family, the Chinese service designation associated with the AR2 export launcher family. Sources: Janes PHL-03 guided rocket report |
| Unguided 300 mm cargo rocket | Janes names the BRC4 as one of the unguided 300 mm rockets used by the 8×8 PHL-03, and Army Recognition describes the AR2 / PHL-03 family as a 12-tube system for 300 mm artillery rockets. |
| Guided 300 mm rocket | Janes identifies Fire Dragon 140A as a guided 300 mm rocket used by the 8×8 PHL-03 family. Sources: Janes PHL-03 guided rocket report |
