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JANE'S DEFENCE WEEKLY - FEBRUARY 01, 2006
China develops 155 mm/52-cal howitzer
YIHONG CHANG JDW Correspondent and
CHRISTOPHER F FOSS Jane's Land Forces Contributing Editor
Hong Kong and London
The new 155 mm/52-cal Norinco howitzer is based on the existing 45-cal PLZ45
There is speculation that the new system copies Russian designs
China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) has developed to the prototype stage a new 155 mm/52-cal self- propelled howitzer (SPH), which has already started its firing trials.
Defence sources told JDW that the weapon may be designated the PLZ52 or Type 05. At this stage it is not certain whether it has been developed for use by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) or for the potential export market.
The PLZ52 appears to be based on the tracked chassis of the standard Norinco 155 mm/45-cal PLZ45 that has been in service with the PLA for some years.
Most recent export customers for self-propelled artillery systems have opted for a 155 mm/52 cal-gun rather than the older 155 mm/45-cal weapon because it offers increased range. As far as is known, the only export sales of the PLZ45 to date were two batches of artillery systems to Kuwait in 1997 and 2001, including ammunition resupply vehicles, a fire-control system and target acquisition systems.
The turret of the PLZ52 is new, but similar in appearance to that used by the Russian 152 mm 2S19 (MSTA-S) SPH, first fielded in 1989-90. For the export market, Russia has developed to prototype stage a new 155 mm/52-cal system: the 2S19M1. This has been shown and demonstrated at a number of Russian defence exhibitions but, as far as is known, not outside Russia. The older 2S19 has been demonstrated outside Russia. JDW sources state that Chinese defence officials made a close study of the 2S19M1 and that the new PLZ52 is based on this analysis.
China has in the past made major purchases of complete Russian weapon systems but in recent years has moved towards acquiring subsystems in the land sector.
A source in the Russian defence industry said that it had not sold or transferred the technology of any version of the 2S19 or its turret system to China.
JDW sources believe there is a parallel to the Chinese 300 mm (10-round) A100 multiple rocket system (MRS) that is very similar to the Russian Splav 300 mm BM 9A52 (12-round) Smerch MRS; the Chinese once again borrowed the design concept of the Russian system.
The new Norinco 155 mm PLZ52 will fire standard NATO artillery ammunition as well as Chinese 155 mm ammunition developed for the PLZ45.
The 155 mm/52-cal ordnance fitted to the PLZ52 has a muzzle brake and fume extractor and a muzzle-velocity measuring device is mounted over the rear part of the ordnance.
The baseline PLZ45 had a maximum range of 30 km firing extended-range full bore (ERFB) ammunition and 39 km firing ERFB base bleed ammunition.
Defence sources told JDW that Norinco has developed a new ERFB high-explosive projectile that combines base bleed and rocket assist. When fired from a 155 mm/45-cal system, a range of 50 km can be achieved.
The latest 155 mm/52-cal system would have increased range and therefore higher survivability against counter-battery fire.
The PLZ45 and PLZ52 can also fire the locally produced version of the Russian 155 mm Krasnopol laser-guided artillery projectile.
Why China elected to develop a new turret is not clear as the existing PLZ45 could have been fitted with a 155 mm/52-cal barrel. It is considered probable that the new turret system has a more advanced automatic ammunition handling system that first loads the projectile and the charge. This gives a higher rate of fire and reduced crewing requirements.
In the West there has been a major move from conventional bag type charges to modular charges. At this stage it is not certain whether China has developed this capability as well.
Norinco 155 mm 45 calibre self-propelled gun-howitzer PLZ45 (jaa.janes.com)
China develops 155 mm/52-cal howitzer
YIHONG CHANG JDW Correspondent and
CHRISTOPHER F FOSS Jane's Land Forces Contributing Editor
Hong Kong and London
The new 155 mm/52-cal Norinco howitzer is based on the existing 45-cal PLZ45
There is speculation that the new system copies Russian designs
China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) has developed to the prototype stage a new 155 mm/52-cal self- propelled howitzer (SPH), which has already started its firing trials.
Defence sources told JDW that the weapon may be designated the PLZ52 or Type 05. At this stage it is not certain whether it has been developed for use by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) or for the potential export market.
The PLZ52 appears to be based on the tracked chassis of the standard Norinco 155 mm/45-cal PLZ45 that has been in service with the PLA for some years.
Most recent export customers for self-propelled artillery systems have opted for a 155 mm/52 cal-gun rather than the older 155 mm/45-cal weapon because it offers increased range. As far as is known, the only export sales of the PLZ45 to date were two batches of artillery systems to Kuwait in 1997 and 2001, including ammunition resupply vehicles, a fire-control system and target acquisition systems.
The turret of the PLZ52 is new, but similar in appearance to that used by the Russian 152 mm 2S19 (MSTA-S) SPH, first fielded in 1989-90. For the export market, Russia has developed to prototype stage a new 155 mm/52-cal system: the 2S19M1. This has been shown and demonstrated at a number of Russian defence exhibitions but, as far as is known, not outside Russia. The older 2S19 has been demonstrated outside Russia. JDW sources state that Chinese defence officials made a close study of the 2S19M1 and that the new PLZ52 is based on this analysis.
China has in the past made major purchases of complete Russian weapon systems but in recent years has moved towards acquiring subsystems in the land sector.
A source in the Russian defence industry said that it had not sold or transferred the technology of any version of the 2S19 or its turret system to China.
JDW sources believe there is a parallel to the Chinese 300 mm (10-round) A100 multiple rocket system (MRS) that is very similar to the Russian Splav 300 mm BM 9A52 (12-round) Smerch MRS; the Chinese once again borrowed the design concept of the Russian system.
The new Norinco 155 mm PLZ52 will fire standard NATO artillery ammunition as well as Chinese 155 mm ammunition developed for the PLZ45.
The 155 mm/52-cal ordnance fitted to the PLZ52 has a muzzle brake and fume extractor and a muzzle-velocity measuring device is mounted over the rear part of the ordnance.
The baseline PLZ45 had a maximum range of 30 km firing extended-range full bore (ERFB) ammunition and 39 km firing ERFB base bleed ammunition.
Defence sources told JDW that Norinco has developed a new ERFB high-explosive projectile that combines base bleed and rocket assist. When fired from a 155 mm/45-cal system, a range of 50 km can be achieved.
The latest 155 mm/52-cal system would have increased range and therefore higher survivability against counter-battery fire.
The PLZ45 and PLZ52 can also fire the locally produced version of the Russian 155 mm Krasnopol laser-guided artillery projectile.
Why China elected to develop a new turret is not clear as the existing PLZ45 could have been fitted with a 155 mm/52-cal barrel. It is considered probable that the new turret system has a more advanced automatic ammunition handling system that first loads the projectile and the charge. This gives a higher rate of fire and reduced crewing requirements.
In the West there has been a major move from conventional bag type charges to modular charges. At this stage it is not certain whether China has developed this capability as well.
Norinco 155 mm 45 calibre self-propelled gun-howitzer PLZ45 (jaa.janes.com)
