China unveiled custom 155mm artillery with GPS-guided projectiles
RIYADH, ($1=3.75 Saudi Arabian Riyal) — Saudi Arabia has a 155mm self-propelled howitzer PLZ45A4 developed to order by the Chinese company Norinco. At the current World Defense Show 2022, the company presented this personalized self-propelled howitzer.
- China has unveiled its new 120mm self-propelled mortar
- Chinese QW-12 MANPADS shot down a plane despite firing 8 lures
- Chinese artillery firing on 53 km distance arrived in Pakistan
155mm PLZ45A4 is already in service in the Kingdom’s ground forces. Moreover, there is evidence that Riyadh used the capabilities and striking power of artillery [PLZ45] in 2015 to attack the Yemeni Hutus. Sources claim that there is a photo published on the Internet, which proves the use of the self-propelled howitzer by the Saudis.
PLZ45A4 is an updated version of the older version PLZ45. According to information from sources at the exhibition, the new version of the howitzer has an improved new design of the turret. The manufacturer claims that the new howitzer has an integrated improved weapon system, a new fire control system, a new radar, and because it is adapted for use in desert conditions – special protection from wind and sand. Norinco claims that the PLZ45A4 already works with a new integrated automatic transmission.
In terms of firepower, the PLZ45A4 follows the current PLZ45 line. 155mm cannon self-propelled howitzer fires with the following types of projectiles: HE at a distance of 24km; ERFB at a distance of 30km; ERFB-HB-BB at a distance of 39km. The howitzer can shoot at a distance of over 50 km using 155mm GPS-guided projectiles.
At maximum cannon load, artillery can fire up to 5 shells per minute, while in a normal steady-state it fires up to two shells per minute. The vehicle uses a semi-automatic loading system with 24 ready-to-fire ammunition.
The PLZ45A4 travels at a maximum speed of 55 km and can travel a distance of 550 km by refueling. According to information from Saudi Arabia, in 2022 the Kingdom’s ground forces are planning tests to show the effectiveness and ability of the self-propelled howitzer presented at the exhibition.
***
Follow us everywhere and at any time. BulgarianMilitary.com has responsive design and you can open the page from any computer, mobile devices or web browsers. For more up-to-date news, follow our Google News, YouTube, Reddit, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook pages. Subscribe to our Newsletter and read our stories in News360App in AppStore or GooglePlay or in FeedlyApp in AppStore or GooglePlay. Our standards: Manifesto & ethical princliples.