PLA upgrades its heavy 155mm SPH inventory

2nd September 2021 - 20:15 GMT | by Gordon Arthur in Christchurch

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A PLZ-05B carried on a civilian tractor-trailer unit in China. (Photo: Chinese internet)

The PLZ-05 155mm SPH in Chinese army service has received a makeover.

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 ...

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