Chinese 155 mm/45 Caliber Self-Propelled Howitzer (PLZ45)

Chinese 155 mm/45 Caliber Self-Propelled Howitzer (PLZ45) - Archived 4/2000

Outlook

This is one of the new Chinese standard self-propelled artillery systems

Production for initial export order is complete

Domestic orders should ensure production through the coming 10 years

Increased interest on the export market is forecast

Orientation

Description. A tracked 155 millimeter self-propelled artillery system.

Sponsor. The development and procurement of this self-propelled artillery system has been sponsored by the Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China.

Contractors. This 155 millimeter self-propelled artillery system has been developed and is being manufactured by the Ministry of Ordnance Industry of the People’s Republic of China through the Chinese State Arsenals at undetermined locations. International marketing of the system is conducted by China North Industries Corporation.

Licensees. None.

Status. The basic development of this 155/45 self-propelled artillery system is complete; extended operational testing and contractor demonstrations are ongoing. The serial production to meet the initial export order is complete.

Total Produced. As of January 1, 2000, a total of 46 Chinese 155/45 self-propelled artillery systems had been manufactured.

Application. Mobile fire support for the field army at the battalion and division levels.

Price Range. In equivalent 2000 United States dollars, the unit price of the Chinese 155/45 self-propelled howitzer is $2,212,000; this figure is for ten units.

Technical Data

Design Features. Modern design incorporating a 45 caliber cannon, in turn incorporating Extended Range Full Bore technology and fed by a semi-automatic loading system and a powered ramming system.

Crew. Five: commander, gunner, two loaders and driver.

Muzzle Brake. Slotted baffle.

Recoil System. Hydropneumatic.

Breech Mechanism. Semi-automatically operated horizontal sliding wedge block.

Ammunition. While this artillery system is compatible with all NATO standard 155 millimeter ammunition, it was specifically designed to fire the Extended Range Full Bore ammunition developed by the late Dr. G. V. Bull. The Chinese have developed and are manufacturing this specialized ammunition in several types, including: High Explosive, Improved Conventional Munition (submunition dispensing), White Phosphorous Smoke and Illumination. These rounds are available in standard Extended Range Full Bore and Extended Range Full Bore/Base Bleed patterns.

Armor. This artillery system is fabricated from conventional steel alloy affording protection from small arms projectiles and ballistic fragments. Research indicates that the thickness is 11 millimeters (0.44 inch) over the frontal arc and sides of the turret.

Dimensions. The following dimensions are for the latest developmental prototype of the Chinese 155/45 self-propelled howitzer. The height is to the roof of the turret and the fuel capacity is estimated.

	SI units	US units
Length overall	10.15 meters	33.30 feet
Width	3.23 meters	10.07 feet
Height	2.60 meters	8.53 feet
Combat weight	32.02 tonnes	35.30 tons
Fuel capacity	890 liters	236.7 gallons
Ordnance caliber	155 millimeters	6.10 inches

Performance. The maximum range figure for the 155 millimeter/45 caliber ordnance is with the Extended Range Full Bore/Base Bleed High Explosive projectile. The muzzle velocity with this projectile at the maximum charge rating is 903 meters per second (2,962.6 feet per second). The maximum speed and vehicle range data are for use on a metalled road. While the turret can be traversed 360°, the normal firing arc is 30° left and 30° right.

	SI units	US units
Maximum speed	56 kilometers per hour	34.8 miles per hour
Maximum range	448 kilometers	278.2 statute miles
Step	70 centimeters	2.29 feet
Trench	2.7 meters	8.86 feet
Slope	46.6%	46.6%
Gradient	62.5%	62.5%
Fording	1.2 meters	3.94 feet
Elevation	+72°	+72°
Depression	-3°	-3°
Traverse	360°	360°
Maximum ordnance range	39 kilometers	42,650.4 yards
Maximum rate of fire	5 rounds per minute	5 rounds per minute
Sustained rate of fire	2 rounds per minute	2 rounds per minute

Engine. This self-propelled artillery system is equipped with an as yet undetermined air-cooled diesel engine. Other than for the power rating of 391.5 kilowatts (525 horsepower), nothing has been released about this engine. However, our research indicates that this engine could in some way be based on Deutz Motoren-Werke Mannheim technology. The power-to-weight ratio is 12.23 kilowatts per tonne (17.87 horsepower per ton).

Gearbox. This self-propelled artillery system uses an as yet unidentified manually operated constant mesh-type gearbox. This unit is provided by the Chinese State Factories.

Suspension and Running Gear. This self-propelled artillery system uses a torsion bar type suspension with six dual-tire roadwheels on each side. Each roadwheel

is fitted with a hydraulic shock damper. The drive sprocket is at the front while the rear roadwheel acts as the idler. There are three track return rollers mounted on each side.

Fire Control. This artillery system is designed for indirect fires, with targeting information provided by a forward observer through a command post. The crew then lays the cannon in an appropriate manner. An inertial direction finder is fitted along with a gun point and display unit. An indirect fire sight is mounted in an armored cupola on the roof of the turret. A direct fire telescope is also fitted. A global position system receiver and laser rangefinder can also be fitted. This system is capable of automatic operation, including the laying of the cannon.

Variants/Upgrades

Variants. An ammunition resupply vehicle that is based on the chassis of the 155 millimeter/45 caliber self-propelled howitzer has been developed. No other details are known at this time.

Modernization and Retrofit Overview. This is not applicable at this time.

Program Review

Background. This new, 155 millimeter self-propelled artillery system was developed in the mid-eighties in order to give the People’s Liberation Army a self-propelled artillery system in this Western standard caliber. However, not only was the 155 millimeter standard adopted, the ordnance was designed around the extended-range ballistics parameters developed by the late Dr. G. V. Bull. These parameters, specifically the Extended Range Full Bore/45 caliber technology, has revolutionized artillery since the late seventies, when Dr. Bull’s Space Research Corporation first introduced it. While rejected by many leading nations, Dr. Bull continued the development of his world beating artillery technology until his murder in 1990.

The People’s Republic of China was one of the nations that embraced the technology rather early on. In fact, Dr. Bull and his employees worked closely with the Chinese in their development of the technology. The 155 millimeter/45 caliber WA 021, a towed piece, was the first operational manifestation of the Chinese version of Dr. Bull’s technology. Our research indicates that the Chinese began the development of a self-propelled version of the new artillery in 1985. The new self-propelled system integrating this technology was revealed in 1988.

As a result of the first export sale of this system, made in 1997, the designation PLZ45 has come to be associated with this system. However, as of early 2000, we have not yet confirmed that this is the true designation. For one thing, it does not follow the standard Chinese method of designating their military hardware.

Description. As of early 2000, and despite the first export sale, only a moderate amount of information has been released about this new 155 millimeter/45 caliber self-propelled artillery system from the People’s Republic of China. The system is similar in configuration to the ubiquitous M109. It is built of all-welded steel alloy armor on a heavy tracked chassis, with the engine mounted in the front of the vehicle to the right.

The driver is seated opposite the engine and is provided with a single-piece hatch cover and two periscopes, one of which can be replaced by a night vision device. The turret is mounted to the rear; while a 360° traverse is possible, the normal arc of fire is 30° to the left and right. In the turret, the commander is seated to the right. The commander has a single-piece hatch cover and four periscopes. On each side of the turret is a large door which opens to the front of the vehicle. A small door is at the rear of the turret with a larger door at the rear of the hull. A total of 30 155 millimeter projectiles and the associated charges are carried in the turret and hull.

The 155 millimeter cannon is fed by a semi-automatic loader and a hydraulically operated ramming system; both are electrically controlled. The fire-control equipment includes an inertial direction finder, global position system receiver, laser rangefinder and gun display unit. Automatic or manual laying of the cannon is featured. Fire-control directions usually come from a central command post and equipment to receive such data is included. A Type A-220A radio is fitted, but other radios can be fitted as an option. A 12.7 millimeter machine gun is mounted on the roof of the vehicle; 400 rounds are carried.

Offered as a System. The Chinese are offering a complete multi-vehicle artillery system based on the new 155 millimeter/45 caliber self-propelled howitzer. In addition to one or more units of the self-propelled howitzer, the complete system includes a command and control vehicle, artillery observation/reconnaissance vehicle and ammunition resupply vehicle. The Chinese have several vehicle options to fill the first two mission areas, and a vehicle based on the chassis of the 155 millimeter/45 caliber self-propelled howitzer has been developed into the ammunition resupply vehicle.

Shoddy Construction? Some sources are on record that Chinese-manufactured weapons have a rather low level of quality. Regarding the Chinese manufacturing of Dr. Bull’s technology, more than one observer has stated that the Chinese could not meet the level of manufacturing needed for the full advantages of the technology to be realized. However, before his death, Dr. Bull stated that the level of manufacture in China (at least as far as his cannon and ammunition were concerned) was as good as anything in the West.

Funding

The funding for the development of the new 155 millimeter/45 caliber self-propelled howitzer has been provided by the Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China.

Recent Contracts

This information is generally not available, as contractual information is not released. However, some sources state that the September 1997 contract with Kuwait for 27 systems was worth the equivalent of 150 million United States dollars.

Timetable

This timetable relates to the new 155 millimeter/45 caliber self-propelled howitzer from the People’s Republic of China only and not to any other similar system in any manner.

Month	Year	Major Development
Late	1970s	Development of Extended Range Full Bore technology begun in the People’s Republic of China
	1985	WA 021 towed 155 millimeter/45 caliber system becomes available
Mid	1980s	Development of the 155 millimeter/45 caliber self-propelled howitzer begun
	1988	New 155 millimeter/45 caliber self-propelled howitzer revealed
September	1997	First export sale made to Kuwait
Early	2000	Chinese 155 millimeter/45 caliber self-propelled howitzer in continued operational testing as serial production to address first export order is complete; available for further orders

Worldwide Distribution

Export Potential. Despite the fact that the People’s Republic of China is still a relatively unknown force in the international artillery market, international politics have benefited this new self-propelled artillery system. As a result of the People’s Republic of China’s support of Kuwait through its seat in the United Nations, Kuwait thought it was expedient to order some military hardware from that nation. While the international politics related to this sale are complicated in nature, it will suffice to say that Kuwait resisted pressure from South Africa, the United Kingdom and United States, and contracted for 27 units of the new Chinese system in September 1997.

Countries. Kuwait (27); People’s Republic of China (19 prototype/developmental and operational test systems) .

Forecast Rationale

As of early 2000, the serial production of the Chinese 155/45 (PLZ45) was dormant following the initial deliveries to the People’s Liberation Army and the 27 units to Kuwait. Despite the increased level of attention generated by the 1997 export sale of this system to Kuwait, there is still a general lack of information that hampers our research efforts.

The Chinese 155/45 (PLZ45) self-propelled artillery system is fairly certain to be a part of the general effort of the People’s Republic of China to switch to Western pattern artillery. The fact that the modern Extended Range Full Bore technology is a part of this standardization is attributed to the Chinese desire to field the latest in artillery technology. Supporting that prescience is the fact the development of 52 caliber artillery technology is well advanced in China. In fact, one source indicated that a 52 caliber version of this new self-propelled artillery system is already in development and may well be the version of this system that China accepts for operational service.

Despite a strong sales push, Kuwait will almost certainly not order any more Chinese 155/45 (PLZ45) self-propelled artillery systems, due to international politics. But this system has generated a good deal of interest on the international market, at a unit price no Western firm can hope to match. This latter point alone warrants continued review of the program on our part. This report is therefore subject to update on an interim basis.

Based on the evidence uncovered during the course of this research, we believe that the Chinese 155 millimeter/45 caliber self-propelled howitzer will be placed into full scale serial production for the People’s Liberation Army within two years or so, possibly even sooner. The Chinese, like the Russians, view artillery as crucial to military preparedness, and the proven Extended Range Full Bore technology incorporated by this new self-propelled howitzer represents a major enhancement of this country’s artillery capability. Therefore, barring any unforeseen events, the serial production of this new self-propelled artillery system - possibly in a new 52 caliber version - is expected to run through the entire forecast period. Indeed, our forecast production of 485 units may be overly conservative. Only time will tell how well this system performs in operational service.

Ten-Year Outlook

ESTIMATED CALENDAR YEAR PRODUCTION

High Confidence

Good Confidence

Speculative

Level

Total

Ordnance

(Engine)

through 99

00-09

^{CHINESE STATE ARSENALS}

^{CHINESE 155/45 SP (a)}

^UNKNOWN

¹⁹

⁰

³⁷

⁷¹

⁷⁴

⁷⁶

⁷⁵

⁷⁶

⁴⁸⁵

^{CHINESE 155/45 SP (b)}

^UNKNOWN

²⁷

⁰

^{Total Production}

⁴⁶

⁰

³⁷

⁷¹

⁷⁴

⁷⁶

⁷⁵

⁷⁶

⁴⁸⁵

(a) The through 1999 production is for the prototype and developmental systems as well as extended operational test systems. The forecast production is for domestic deployment only.

(b) This line is for export to Kuwait only.