NORINCO PLZ04 / PLZ05 Self Propelled Gun / Howitzer artillery system

The PLZ05 is the latest tracked Self-Propelled Gun / Howitzer from China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) to enter service with the Chinese armed forces and the first with a 54 caliber 155 mm gun.

Two versions of the same 155 mm howitzer were initially developed. The PLZ05 with a 54 caliber and the PLZ04 with a more standard 52 caliber. The PLZ05 was deemed to offer superior performance and adopted into Chinese service. The PLZ04 is now intended for the export market.

The PLZ05 superseded the 45 caliber 155 mm PLZ-91 / PLZ-45, which only entered service in limited numbers with a single training battalion. It will eventually replace the PLZ83 152 mm Self-Propelled Gun / Howitzer in Chinese service, a role first intended for the PLZ91.

The PLZ05 turret can traverse 360 degrees and comes with a gun using the French 155 mm standard, abandoning the Russian 152 mm standard used previously by the Chinese. This gives it greater commonality with artillery systems and ammunition used worldwide. It is compatible with all standard 155 mm rounds, including:

• ERFB/HE
• ERFB-BB/HE
• ERFB-BB/Cargo
• ERFB/Smoke
• ERFB/ILL
• ERFB/WP

Unlike the semi-automatic gun loader of the PLZ91, the PLZ05 features a fully automatic gun loader giving it a maximum firing rate of 10 rounds per minute. It also comes with a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft gun and two four-barrelled grenade launchers.

PLZ04 specifications
Weight: 45 tons
Length: 11 m
Width: 3.3 m
Crew: 4
Engine: diesel 800 hp

NORINCO PLZ91 / PLZ45 Self Propelled Gun / Howitzer artillery system

The PLZ45 is the export designation of the PLZ91 tracked Self-Propelled Gun / Howitzer  and developed by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) as a replacement for the 152 mm PLZ83. It was the first to adopt the French 155 mm gun standard, which is more compatible with the international arms market, instead of the previous Russian 152 mm standard.

The PLZ45 comes equipped with the same 45 caliber 155 mm gun found in the Type 89 or PLL01 towed gun / howitzer. The gun has a maximum rate of fire of 5 rounds per minute and is compatible with all standard 155 mm NATO rounds, including:

• ERFB/HE
• ERFB-BB/HE
• ERFB-BB/Cargo
• ERFB/Smoke
• ERFB/ILL
• ERFB/WP

The PLZ45 carries 30 rounds with 30 charges of ammunition. The turret can traverse 360 degrees and comes with a semi-automatic loader. It also carries a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft gun and two sets of four-barrel grenade launchers.

The PLZ45 has been exported to Bangladesh, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. However, except for limited numbers in a single battalion for training purposes, the PLZ91 has not been adopted by the Chinese army. Its role has been superseded in China by the more powerful PLZ-05 with a longer 54 caliber 155 mm gun.

PLZ45 specifications

Crew: 5
Weight: 33 tons
Length: 10.15 m
Width: 3.23 m
Height: 3.42 m
Ground Clearance: 0.45 m

Engine: air-cooled diesel 525 hp
Operational range on road: 450 km
Fuel tank capacity: 320 litre
Maximum Speed: 55 km/hr
Average Speed on road: 40 km/hr
Average Speed cross country: 30 km/hr