- Footage shared by defense observer Jesus Roman shows PLA Engineering & Chemical Defense units using a 62mm FHJ-02 FLASH rocket cluster launcher.
- The FHJ-02 is a seven-round system capable of firing incendiary and smoke rockets, with effective range up to 660 feet and maximum range to about 1,600 feet.
A recent photo circulating in defense circles has reignited discussion over China’s use of short-range incendiary weapons, after it revealed People’s Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) troops handling a rare multi-tube launcher known as the FHJ-02 FLASH.
The image, published by defense observer Jesus Roman, shows the weapon in use by an Engineering and Chemical Defense unit — a formation tasked with operating in hazardous environments and breaching fortified positions.
The FHJ-02 FLASH, which entered Chinese service in 1993, is described as a seven-barrel rocket cluster launcher capable of firing both incendiary and smoke munitions. Its configuration, size, and method of use closely resemble the American M202A1 FLASH, a four-barrel shoulder-fired system developed during the Cold War. While the U.S. system has long been retired from frontline use, the Chinese variant remains with specialized units, notably those associated with engineering support and chemical defense roles.
The launcher’s effective range is approximately 660 feet, with a maximum reach extending up to 1,600 feet, although the accuracy beyond the effective range is reported to drop considerably.
In tactical terms, the FHJ-02 provides Chinese infantry with an option previously fulfilled by much heavier and riskier flame weapon systems. Historically, Chinese assault forces — particularly naval infantry and frontline army breaching teams — relied on large, often dangerous flamethrowers to neutralize entrenched enemy positions. These systems posed threats not just to enemy forces but also to the operators and nearby friendly troops, due to their weight, fuel storage requirements, and high visibility on the battlefield.
By contrast, the FHJ-02 offers a relatively portable solution. The option to fire smoke rounds also provides these units with an organic obscuration capability, useful for movement through exposed terrain or for masking breaching operations.