Developed by the No 123 and No 127 factories, the NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) Type 83 273 mm (4-round) multiple rocket system had a protracted development period that started in the 1960s. It was redesigned several times before it gained its type classification in 1983. It is understood that there has been no recent production of this system by NORINCO. NORINCO is now concentrating its marketing efforts on other types of multiple rocket systems. Production of the full tracked chassis was completed some time ago.

The system is based on the unarmoured Type 60-1 full-tracked artillery tractor with a five-man, fully enclosed cab at the front and a turntable with four 273 mm unguided rockets at the very rear. Before launching, the launch platform's two stabilisers are lowered manually at the rear of the chassis to provide a more stable firing platform.

Each unguided solid propellant rocket has a high-explosive warhead, although other types of warhead could easily be accommodated in a rocket of this calibre. The rocket has a maximum velocity of 811 m/s and all four rockets can be salvo-fired in 7.5 seconds with a time into action of 1 minute. Once the four rockets have been fired, the system is reloaded manually.

The launcher is traversed and elevated manually, with the controls mounted on its left side. Fire-control equipment consists of one panoramic sight Type 85 and one indicator Type 85.