PLZ-07

The PLZ-07 or Type 07 is a Chinese 122 mm self-propelled artillery made by the China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO). The PLZ-07 self-propelled howitzer was first unveiled to the public during the military parade celebrating 60th anniversary of the PLA on 1 October 2009. The PLZ-07 was developed to replace the older Type 89, Type 85 and Type 70/70-1 122 mm self-propelled artillery systems.

PLZ-07 Self-Propelled Howitzer
PLZ-07 Self-propelled artillery during Vostok 2018
TypeSelf-propelled artillery
Place of originChina
Specifications
Mass24.5 tons
Length6.6 m
Width3.28 m
Height2.5 m
Crew5
Caliber122 mm
Traverse360°
Maximum firing rangeStandard: 18 km
Base bleed: 22 km
Rocket assisted: 27 km
Main
armament
122 mm howitzer
Secondary
armament
12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun
Enginediesel
600 hp
Suspensiontorsion bar
Operational
range
500 km
Maximum speed 65 km/h

Designs

PLZ-07 self-propelled artillery chassis is developed from ZBD-97 infantry fighting vehicles. The main armament is 122 mm artillery which is from Chinese derivation of Soviet D-30 artillery and a 12.7 mm machine gun as a secondary armament. The PLZ-07 is powered by 600 hp diesel engine.

The PLZ07 122 mm tracked self-propelled gun mounts a 122 mm gun armed turret on the PLZ45 hull. The vehicle weighs 22.5 tons fully loaded and carries 40 rounds of ammunition. It is 6.66 m long, 3.28 m wide and 2.5 m high to the turret roof. It carries a crew of five and its 440 kW diesel engine gives it a top road speed of 65 km/h and a maximum road range of 500 km.

The design of Chinese variant could be based on Russian D30 howitzer and besides the QJC-88 12.7 mm × 108 mm heavy machine gun mounted on the turret roof there are two triple banks of 76 mm smoke grenade dischargers on either side of the turret. The gun has an elevation from 0° to +70° and a maximum rate of fire of 6–8 rounds per minute.

The gun has a maximum range of 18 km with normal ammunition, 22 km with base bleed and 27 km with rocket assisted rounds.

The PLZ07A is land based while the PLZ07B is amphibious.[1]

Variants
  • PLZ-07: Land based variant.
  • PLZ-07B: amphibious variant with unique dedicated-designed amphibious chassis.[2]

Operators
 People's Republic of China

See also
Related development
  • Type 70 SPH - 122 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by China in 1960s.
  • Type 85 SPH - 122 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by China in 1980s.
  • PLZ-89 - previous generation of self-propelled system howitzer developed by China.
Comparable ground systems

Notes
  1. "PLZ-07".
  2. "PLZ-07B".
  3. "Appraisal of PLA Artillery Modernisation". Centre for Land Warfare Study.

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