China NORINCO
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
56
km/h
450
km range
155
mm gun
44,000
kg
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. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
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 |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 450 km |
| Rate of fire Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability. | 8 rpm |
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 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 1 |
Specifications compiled from public NORINCO and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
Compare with rivals
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PLZ-05 vs
AHS Krab Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of the NORINCO PLZ-05? +
The NORINCO PLZ-05 has a maximum speed of 56 km/h.
What is the range of the NORINCO PLZ-05? +
The NORINCO PLZ-05 has a maximum range of 450 km.
How much does the NORINCO PLZ-05 weigh? +
The NORINCO PLZ-05 has a combat weight of 44,000 kg.
How many crew does the NORINCO PLZ-05 require? +
The NORINCO PLZ-05 requires a crew of 5.
What is the main armament of the NORINCO PLZ-05? +
The NORINCO PLZ-05's primary weapon is the 155 mm/52-caliber howitzer.
How many countries operate the NORINCO PLZ-05? +
The NORINCO PLZ-05 is operated by 1 countries.
How much does the NORINCO PLZ-05 cost? +
NORINCO PLZ-05: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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