PLZ04/05 155mm Self Propelled Howitzers update.

In a series of photos and CCTV reports released by the PLA (here) recently, it appears that they have significantly upgraded the fire power of their infantry divisions belonging to the Nanjing Military Region with PLZ04/05 155mm Self Propelled Howitzers.  

The PLZ04/05 is the pride of the PLA artillery, capable of firing guided rounds to a maximum range of 100KM, a major jump over their old 152mm PLZ83 (D20 based) workhorse.    Together with other supporting arms of the PLA, a PLZ04/05 Abteilung consists of 6 tubes in a 18-gun battalion, organic to the divisional headquarters.   Additionally, more PLZ04/05 tubes are available to the Nanjing MR from its1st Artillery Division. 1st Group Army.


91st Amphibious Infantry Division, 31st Group Army traded in their old PLZ83 152mm SPH for the new PLZ05.

PLZ83

2nd PLZ05 Battalion belonging to the Artillery Regiment,  1st Amphibious Mechanized Infantry Division, 1st Group Army, confirmed.   The 1st Amphibious Mechanized Infantry Division now enjoys the firepower of 36 PLZ05 tubes, a first for a PLA infantry division.

Monday, July 19, 2010

A new PLZ04 155mm Self Propelled Howitzer unit commissioned.

According to this PLA Daily article (here), a new PLZ05 unit was commissioned on July 14th with the an artillery brigade from the Beijing Military Region. This marks the fifth confirmed PLA PLZ05 unit currently in service.

The other four units are:

- 38th GA artillery brigade
- 39th GA artillery brigade
- 1st Artillery Div.
- 9th Artillery Div.

Thanks Andrew KC for the list.