PLZ-05

China’s primary modern tracked 155 mm self-propelled howitzer — a fully autoloaded L/52 gun fielded by the People’s Liberation Army since 2008, with high claimed range but no combat pedigree.

Overview

The PLZ-05 (Type 05) is the principal tracked self-propelled howitzer of the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force, produced by NORINCO and operated exclusively by China. A 155 mm/L52 gun with a full autoloader and digital fire-control system, it represents the PLA’s transition to a modern, NATO-interoperable caliber and is integrated into combined-arms brigades for indirect fire support. Despite more than a decade in service, the PLZ-05 has never been exported and its combat record is limited to exercises and parades.

Development

NORINCO developed the PLZ-05 as a replacement for the legacy 152 mm and 122 mm towed/SP artillery inherited from the Soviet era. The system was unveiled in 2007 and entered PLA service the following year, though some sources suggest initial deliveries as early as 2005. The platform reflects a broader Chinese shift toward a 155 mm/L52 standard, with the earlier PLZ-45 (L/45) being the only other NORINCO 155 mm SP howitzer, exported to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. An uprated variant, the PLZ-05A, introduced a more powerful engine and other incremental improvements.

🔒 The rest of the PLZ-05 file is for BattlePolicy Pro members. Stop here and you miss the part that actually matters: how it performs and where it falls short, its combat record, how it stacks up head-to-head against its real counterparts, the complete specifications table, and our analysts’ procurement, supplier and assessment notes. Unlock the full file with BattlePolicy Pro →