In the 1980s, the
People's Liberation Army Ground Force planned to procure long-range multiple rocket launchers and explored options from several Chinese military corporations. Four companies bid in the competition: •
AR-1 rocket system developed by Changchun subsidery of the
China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco). •
A-100 rocket system developed by
China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), a subsidery of the
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). •
WS-1 (
Weishi rockets) rocket system developed by Sichuan 7th Academy, a subsidery of the
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). •
WM-80 rocket system developed by the Qiqihar subsidery of the
China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco). In the end, the AR-1 multiple rocket launcher system was chosen by the
People's Liberation Army Ground Force, which received designation
PHL-03. After the competition, these companies started to export their products.
China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) did not participate in the bidding process due to time constraints, but CASIC revealed its first MLRS design, SY-400, in the
Zhuhai Airshow 2008. The SY-400 rocket was developed from the
B-611 ballistic missile but with a smaller size and a caliber of . The BP-12A tactical ballistic missile was presented as an optional armament. In the 2014 Zhuhai Airshow, the CASIC unveiled the SY-300 MLRS, a variant of the SY-400. In 2017,
Qatar received an unknown number of SY-400. == SY-400 ==