Notes: This is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer based around the WAC-21 gun/howitzer. This vehicle looks very similar to the US M-109 howitzer, but it is heavier, has a longer gun, larger turret and more roadwheels, which are irregularly spaced. The driver sits at the front of the vehicle on the left with the engine to his right. The turret is at the rear, with the commander’s position on the front of the turret on the right. On each side of the turret is a large door, and there is also a large hatch on the left side of the turret roof towards the rear. The PLZ-45 has an inertial direction finder, a gun pointing system and a display for information coming from the fire direction center. The gun is capable of automatic lay from this information. When in firing position, two spades are lowered in the rear of the vehicle for bracing. This gun is capable of firing NATO 155mm projectiles. This vehicle is in service with China, and possibly with Iraq and Iran.

Notes: The Type 83 152mm SP Gun/Howitzer is the Peoples’ Liberation Army’s standard heavy howitzer. It entered service in the early-1980s and is present in large numbers. The gun used on it is a version of the Type 66 towed gun/ howitzer, and in shape is very similar to the US M-109A2 except for the gun barrel and roadwheels. The gun is capable of firing standard 152mm howitzer rounds as well as a new RAP round known as the MP-152. The fire control system is operated from a panel. Direct fire sights are provided as well as infrared night sights.

The Type 83 130mm is a Type 83 Self-Propelled Gun/Howitzer as listed above, but armed with a 130mm gun/howitzer. This was done because there were a number of customers around the world that wished their 130mm M-1946 gun/howitzers to be more mobile. They were not actually taken into Chinese service, but kits were offered to a number of countries that used the 130mm gun/howitzer, and it is not known how many kits were sold or who bought them.

Notes: This is a self-propelled howitzer variant of the YW-531 armored personnel carrier, used by China. In this role, the basic APC chassis is topped with a fighting compartment housing a Chinese copy of the Russian D-30 122mm howitzer. This fighting compartment is open-topped (but usually covered with a tarpaulin), but has high sides and thus provides some protection from fragments and enemy fire. The driver is seated in left front of the hull and has complete armor protection. A new ERFB (Extended-Range Full Bore) projectile has been developed by China for use in this and other 122mm howitzers. The Type 85 is amphibious with preparation.

Notes: This is a Type 90 armored personnel carrier with a turret mounting a 122mm D-30 howitzer. This was done to make the D-30s more mobile and to allow for a lighter SP howitzer than can use more questionable roads, bridges, and terrain, as well as provide one with an amphibious capability. In this role, the Type 90 does not carry passengers, as the turret is towards the rear of the vehicle, and this turret and ammunition racks are where the passengers would normally be. The chassis is a stretched version, with 6 roadwheels instead of 5, and has a more powerful engine (360 hp versus the normal 320 hp engine). There is a hatch on the front left deck for the driver, two hatches on the turret deck for the commander and gunner, and a door on the rear face for reloading and the rest of the crew.

Notes: This is a modification of the WZ-551 wheeled armored personnel carrier. The vehicle is topped with a turret mounting a 122mm howitzer. The turret’s traverse is limited to 25 degrees left and right of center. The vehicle’s hull is lengthened and the suspension has eight instead of six wheels. Before firing, two hydraulic spades at the rear of the hull must be lowered.