NEWTOWN, Conn. - Full-rate serial production of the Type 88 (PLZ45) self-propelled howitzer for People's Liberation Army procurement and limited export sales is ongoing. The performance of the Type 88 (PLZ45) reportedly impressed the PLA during the system's operational evaluation phase. The PLA is fielding the Type 88 (PLZ45) as a modern replacement for at least some of the service's increasingly archaic ISU-152 and Type 83 self-propelled howitzers.
Since 1997, the People's Republic of China sold 54 PLZ45 systems to Kuwait, and "one battalion" (27 systems) to Saudi Arabia. In January 2014, open-source reporting indicated that Algeria received an unspecified quantity of PLZ45 systems. Unconfirmed reports suggest Bangladesh and Pakistan have also acquired PLZ45 systems from NORINCO.
Although we do not expect the Type 88 (PLZ45) to become a dominant force on the international market, the system's successful entrance into the market does signal the possibility, if not great likelihood, for a moderate level of export sales in the future.
The PLA continues to pursue an ambitious force transformation effort, with the aim of replacing much of its aging armor and artillery inventories. PLA procurement will continue to dominate the Type 88 (PLZ45) production line through at least 2023.
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