The PLZ05 (or Type 05) is the 155mm self-propelled howitzer (also known as gun-howitzer in PLA service) developed as a successor to the Type 83 152mm self-propelled howitzer currently in service with the PLA. The weapon is to be equipped at the division level to provide accurate and intensive long-range firepower. The howitzer may join the PLA service in the near future.
The development of the PLZ05 reportedly began in the mid-1990s, and the prototype was completed in 2003. The howitzer may have been certified in 2005~06. A model of the howitzer was first revealed by the China North Industries Group Corporation (CNGC) during the 2005 Beijing International Aviation Expo. In July 2007, during the exhibition held in the Chinese People’s Revolutionary Military Museum to mark the 80th anniversary of the PLA, an example of the howitzer was displayed to the public for the first time.
Design
The howitzer features a 155mm gun. The barrel length is 52 or 54 calibre. No information on the howitzer’s technical specifications is available at this stage. The howitzer features an enlarged turret that resembles that of the Russian MSTA-S 2S19 152mm howitzer. There has been reports suggesting that the PLZ05 is fitted with a fully automatic gun loader that was developed (or copied) from the loading system of the 2S19. This was possibly because the PLA was unsatisfied with the indigenous semi-automatic gun loader on the Chinese PLZ45 155mm self-propelled howitzer.
There is also a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun (AAMG) mounted on the roof of the turret, controlled by the commander. Four smoke grenade launchers are mounted on the turret front on each side of the main gun.
The howitzer is mounted on a full-track chassis, which appears to be near identical to that of the PLZ45. The chassis has six road rubber-tyred road wheels and two track support rollers on each side. The diesel powerpack is mounted at front, leaving the room in the rear of the vehicle for the gun loader and external ammunition loading system.
Munitions
It can be assumed that the PLZ05 is capable of firing the full range of Chinese indigenous ammunitions. CNGC has also developed a variety of the extended range full bore (ERFB) ammunitions including explosive, illuminating, smoke and cargo. The range of the ammunitions can be further extended using technologies such as base bleed (ERFB-BB) and rocket-assisted (ERFB-BB/RA).
Additionally, the PRC has also obtained the Russian Krasnopol laser-guided projectile technology in the 1990s, and has successfully developed its own 152/155mm laser-guided ammunitions. Designed to defeat armoured vehicles and weapon emplacements, the projectile uses inertial mid-course guidance and semi-active laser homing, and has a maximum range of 20km. It can hit a target by the first shot without registration.
