PLA upgrades its heavy 155mm SPH inventory
A PLZ-05B carried on a civilian tractor-trailer unit in China. (Photo: Chinese internet)
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been fielding a plethora of self-propelled artillery types to units throughout China. Now its heaviest 155mm tracked SPH, the PLZ-05, has undergone modifications as part of an extensive upgrade.
With photos of green-painted SPHs on transporters appearing on the Chinese internet, it is possible that this modernised PLZ-05B is now ready for issue to PLA artillery units.
The chief visual difference is a completely new chassis that has seven road wheels per side compared to six on the existing PLZ-05/05A. In fact, this is the first modern Chinese AFV to utilise seven road
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
Western Europe is looking to refresh its APC/IFV fleets with potential $41 billion spend
As militaries across Western Europe continue to modernise their capabilities, there are some major potential opportunities in the requirement for armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles.
-
US Army orders more upgraded Bradleys as transformation threatens other programmes
Compared to previous versions of the vehicle, the Bradley M2A4 upgrade includes an uprated suspension, a more powerful engine, an independent commander’s sight, a more capable electronic architecture and improved networking capabilities.
-
De-Risking the Future: Manufacturing Certainty for Unmanned Systems
How strategic manufacturing partnership solves the industrialisation triad — Scale, Compliance and Cost — for hyper-growth defence tech innovators.
-
Battlefield mobility, made in the UK
How does Britain ensure that we can preserve the lives of our soldiers and allies – now and in the future – with homegrown innovation and resilient domestic manufacturing? At Pearson Engineering, we are proud to be a central part of the answer to this increasingly important question.