PLZ-07
PLZ-07
Self-propelled artillery
The PLZ-07 or Type 07 is a Chinese 122 mm self-propelled artillery made by the China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO). The PLZ-07 self-propelled howitzer was first unveiled to the public during the military parade celebrating 60th anniversary of the PLA on 1 October 2009. The PLZ-07 was developed to replace the older Type 89, Type 85 and Type 70/70-1 122 mm self-propelled artillery systems.[1]
| PLZ-07 Self-Propelled Howitzer | |
|---|---|
PLZ-07 Self-propelled artillery during Vostok 2018 | |
| Type | Self-propelled artillery |
| Place of origin | China |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 24.5 tons |
| Length | 6.6 m |
| Width | 3.28 m |
| Height | 2.5 m |
| Crew | 5 |
| Caliber | 122 mm |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Maximum firing range | Standard: 18 km Base bleed: 22 km Rocket assisted: 27 km |
Main armament | 122 mm howitzer |
Secondary armament | 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun |
| Engine | diesel 600 hp |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
Operational range | 500 km |
| Maximum speed | 65 km/h |
PLZ-07 largely retained the design language of PLZ-89, the previous self-propelled howitzer developed by Norinco.[2] The new chassis for PLZ-07 self-propelled artillery is developed from ZBD-04 infantry fighting vehicles, featuring improved armor protection, fire suppression system, and NBC protection. The vehicle is 6.66 m long, 3.28 m wide and 2.5 m high to the turret roof. It carries a crew of five and its 440 kW (600 hp) diesel engine gives it a top road speed of 65 km/h and a maximum road range of 500 km.[3]
The PLZ07 122 mm tracked self-propelled gun mounts a PL-96 122 mm/L32 howitzer. The design of the PL-96 could be based on Soviet D30 howitzer. The vehicle weighs 22.5 tons fully loaded and carries 40 rounds of ammunition. The gun has a maximum range of 18 km with normal ammunition, 22 km with base bleed and 27 km with rocket assisted rounds. The gun has an elevation from 0° to +70° and a maximum rate of fire of 6–8 rounds per minute. In addition to the 122 mm howitzer, the QJC-88 12.7 mm × 108 mm heavy machine gun is mounted on the turret roof, and there are two triple banks of 76 mm smoke grenade dischargers on either side of the turret.[4]
The PLZ-07 is land based while the PLZ-07B is the amphibious variant that shares a common design with modification derived from the ZBD-05.[2]
- PLZ-07
- Land based variant.
- PLZ-07B
- amphibious variant with unique dedicated-designed amphibious chassis. Although this vehicle is part of the PLZ-07 series, the vehicle hull shares design elements from ZBD-05 amphibious fighting vehicle[5]
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- People's Liberation Army Ground Force - 700 units as of 2021. 550 units of PLZ-07A; 150 units of PLZ-07B.[6]
- People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps - 150 units of PLZ-07B in 2022.[7]
- Related development
- Type 70 SPH - 122 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by China in 1960s.
- Type 85 SPH - 122 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by China in 1980s.
- PLZ-89 - previous generation of self-propelled howitzer system developed by China.
- Comparable ground systems
- "PLZ-07 122mm Self-propelled tracked howitzer armoured vehicle". armyrecognition.
- International Institute for Strategic Studies: The Military Balance 2022, p.257
- For Strategic Studies (Iiss), The International Institute (15 February 2023). "6 Asia". The Military Balance 2023. London: Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781003400226. ISBN 9781003400226.
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