What do the PLA’s ‘Steel Rain’ shells say about its war plans for Taiwan?

New airburst munitions that shower targets with metal fragments are designed to attack personnel and lightly protected equipment Released on Sunday by the PLA-affiliated China Military Bugle social media channel under the title “Steel Rain”, the footage shows several PHL-191-launched rockets detonating above what appears to be a desert training range, showering a wide area with high-speed metal fragments. The video appears intended to highlight an airburst fragmentation warhead designed to attack personnel and lightly protected equipment. Analysts say the footage suggests that, in a Taiwan conflict, Beijing could prioritise efforts to disrupt Taiwan’s ability to detect, communicate and respond before larger air and amphibious operations begin. “The use of airburst rockets is notable because it signals that these particular weapons would not be used for targeting assets that Taiwan normally stores in mountains and bunkers,” said Mike Bosack, director of the Parley Policy Initiative.

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