PLZ-05

A tracked self-propelled howitzer combining a 155 mm/52-caliber gun with an automatic loading system, giving the PLA long-range indirect fire comparable to Western systems like the PzH 2000. It replaced older Soviet-derived towed and self-propelled artillery in frontline units.

In service since 2007 · 1 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

km/h

450

km range

155

mm gun

44,000

Several performance figures for China-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Chinese state channel

State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.

Channel: State export agency

Fielded & proven

Limited · 1 operator

In service since 2007. Status: active · ~900 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from.

Interoperability

155 mm NATO artillery

Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance.: 56 km/h

Stronger than 12% of artillery systems
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.: 450 km

Stronger than 27% of artillery systems
Rate of fire Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability.: 8 rpm

Stronger than 75% of artillery systems

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type.: 155 mm/52-caliber howitzer
Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better — ammunition commonality matters.: 155 mm
Max firing range Maximum range of the main gun or rocket artillery (with assisted/extended-range munitions where noted). Higher extends reach.: 53 km

Stronger than 64% of artillery systems

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.: 44,000 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.: 5

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.: 900

Stronger than 72% of artillery systems
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 1

Stronger than 17% of artillery systems

Specifications compiled from public NORINCO and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

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