Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Domestic PLZ89 type 122 mm self-propelled howitzer barrel close
the former Soviet Union system 2S1122 mm self-propelled howitzer

LONDON May 11 news: Russian armored vehicles Network recently published an article on China PLZ-89-type 122 mm self-propelled howitzers performance is analyzed.

The article pointed out that China in the late 1980s-style production PLZ-89 self-propelled howitzer, used primarily mechanized in the distance and the distance to provide fire support. By the late 1990s, the PLA artillery equipment of the type of number has reached hundreds of doors. China announced on its shape and the target data,, PLZ-89 is almost a direct copy from the former Soviet Union developed the 2S1-type “Pinks” 122-mm self-propelled artillery system. Currently, PLZ-89 has a lot of equipment and tank brigades Chinese tank division under the jurisdiction of the Artillery Regiment (each group compile a PLZ-89 camp). Each of PLZ-89 self-propelled howitzer battalion has three connected components, were equipped with 18 guns. In addition to equipment, the Army troops, Marines in China under the jurisdiction of the tank regiment in the brigade were also compiled a list with the PLZ-89.

PLZ-89 first public appearance was in 1999 on a military parade in Beijing, even though its armed forces for more than ten years. Since then, PLZ-89 PLA began to appear frequently held among all sizes of drills.

Russian military experts believe that the Chinese people in the early 1980s succeeded in the former Soviet D-30 122 mm towed howitzer model was generic and name it “86″ type.

as towed artillery in advance of mechanized units can not carry out in a short time by the state of rapid transition to shooting moving state, so in the late 1980s, the Chinese military has decided to develop “86″-style self-propelled guns version of the results is the PLZ-89. PLZ-89 using Chinese-made “77″ type amphibious tracked armored personnel carriers of the chassis.

PLZ-89 self-propelled howitzer with a classic engine – front drive layout. The engine room right in front of the gun carriage, the cab on the left front bodywork, the rear is the battle room. This type of gun turret of the body and are welded structure designed to withstand small arms ammunition and small shrapnel hit. PLZ-89 system used in the howitzer in fact taken directly from “86″ type of towed artillery, barrel length is 32 times the diameter. Supporting arms to a 12.7 mm/flat dual machine guns, can be the enemy helicopters, paratroopers firing, and can destroy the ground within 500 meters of the enemy light armored targets and personnel. Some smoke outside on both sides of the turret can launch smoke launchers. This type of gun battle march conversion time of about 30 seconds.

PLZ-89 is equipped with the main species of anti-bomb blast at the end of Au grenades, firing rate 6-8 rounds/minute, the car bomb bay of Beidan 40 rounds. Equipped with a concave bottom flying shrapnel to increase the stability of the projectile, to improve shooting accuracy, help to improve the artillery range, maximum range of 18-21 km, the minimum range of 3.7 km. Artillery firing at the range and speed than in the past similar artillery greatly improved. PLZ-89 can be 360-degree high of fire shooting and shooting, with a large range of fire control, facilitate the implementation of mobile firepower.

PLZ-89′s combat weight 20 tons, crew of five. Its equipped with a water-cooled turbocharged diesel engine 12V150L12 type, maximum power of 450 horsepower, road speed of 60 km, the maximum travel 500 km. The car has a high velocity and strong off-road ability, easy operation with the troops with armor.

in terms of handling, PLZ-89 is equipped with new hydraulic control unit, making driving more convenient, effort, steering can be turned to achieve freedom; hydraulic shifter and shift light synchronization allows easy ; oil suspension make driving a more stable gun, track adjuster for quick and easy adjustment of shoe elastic. In addition, the gun also inherited “77″ type of amphibious tracked armored personnel carriers of the good surface mobility, can travel at normal sea conditions and shooting, the water forward speed of 6 km/hour. (Compiled: Spring)