PLZ-45

The PLZ-45, also designated Type 88, is a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Norinco. Its ordnance derives from the Type 89 (PLL-01) 155 mm/45-calibre towed gun-howitzer, itself descended from the GC-45 designed by Gerald Bull's Space Research Corporation. After Noricum, the arms division of the Austrian firm Voestalpine, acquired the GC-45 design rights and reworked it for series production as the GHN-45, China obtained the design and placed it in production as the PLL-01, which entered service in 1987. The same ordnance was subsequently mounted on a locally designed tracked chassis to produce the PLZ-45, accompanied by an ammunition carrier on the same chassis. The system did not enter People's Liberation Army service in quantity at the time, as PLA artillery stocks were standardised on Soviet-pattern 152 mm ammunition; the design was instead directed at export, with the first batches sold to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

The vehicle is crewed by five: commander, gunner, two loaders and driver. The 155 mm 45-calibre gun is fed by a semi-automatic loader with an electrically controlled, hydraulically operated rammer permitting projectile loading at any elevation, with charges loaded by hand. The turret traverses through 360 degrees and elevates from –3 to +72 degrees. Ammunition is stowed in the turret bustle, the majority in the loader with the remainder below it on the right side. Secondary armament consists of a roof-mounted W-85 heavy machine gun and two four-barrel smoke grenade launchers on the turret sides. The fire-control system combines an automatic laying system, optical sights, a gun orientation and navigation system, and a GPS receiver.

The gun fires the Extended Range Full Bore family of ammunition, including ERFB/HE, base-bleed ERFB-BB/HE, ERFB-BB/RA, white phosphorus, illuminating, smoke and cargo projectiles. Following acquisition of Russian Krasnopol technology in the 1990s, China developed a 155 mm laser-guided projectile for the system, using inertial mid-course guidance and semi-active laser terminal homing against armoured vehicles and weapon emplacements, engaging targets without prior registration.

Armour protects against small arms fire and shell splinters. NBC protection and an automatic fire suppression system are fitted. Propulsion is by a turbocharged, air-cooled Deutz diesel.

A PLZ-45 battalion comprises three batteries, each fielding six howitzers and six PCZ-45 ammunition support vehicles. Each battery has a command post and three battery reconnaissance vehicles, both based on the Type 85 armoured personnel carrier. Battalion-level support includes W653A armoured recovery vehicles, 704-1 artillery locating and fire correction radar, 702-D meteorological radar and fire support maintenance vehicles.

Kuwait ordered its first batch in 1998, delivered in 2000–2001, and a second battalion in 2001, delivered in 2002–2003. Saudi Arabia contracted for two battalions in August 2008, delivered in 2008–2009. Ethiopia received a batch in 1999, and Algerian vehicles first appeared publicly in 2014. The type is also used by the People's Liberation Army.

The PLZ-45 saw its first combat use in April 2015, when the Saudi Arabian Army shelled Houthi positions along the Saudi–Yemeni border during the Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni Civil War. Kuwait deployed an artillery battalion to Saudi Arabia in late 2015 in support of the same operation.