PLZ-07

The PLZ-07 or Type 07 is a Chinese 122 mm self-propelled artillery made by the China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO). The PLZ-07 self-propelled howitzer was first unveiled to the public during the military parade celebrating 60th anniversary of the PLA on 1 October 2009. The PLZ-07 was developed to replace the older Type 89, Type 85 and Type 70/70-1 122 mm self-propelled artillery systems. The PLZ07 122mm tracked self-propelled gun mounts a 122 mm gun armed turret on the PLZ45 hull. The vehicle weighs 22.5 tons fully loaded and carries 40 rounds of ammunition. It is 6.66m high, 3.28m wide and 2.5m high to the turret roof. It carries a crew of five and its 440 kW diesel engine gives it a top road speed of 65 km/hr and a maximum road range of 500km.

The gun is a Chinese copy of the Russian D30 howitzer and besides the QJC-88 12.7 x 108mm heavy machine gun mounted on the turret roof there are two triple banks of 76mm smoke grenade dischargers on either side of the turret. The gun has an elevation from 0° to +70° and a maximum rate of fire of 6 – 8 rounds per minute.

The gun has a maximum range of 18km with normal ammunition, 22km with base bleed and 27km with rocket assisted rounds.

Designs
PLZ-07 self-propelled artillery chassis is developed from ZBD-97 infantry fighting vehicles. The main armament is 122 mm artillery which is from Chinese derivation of Soviet D-30 artillery and a 12.7 mm machine gun as a secondary armament. The PLZ-07 is powered by 600 hp diesel engine.

Operators

 * People's Liberation Army Ground Force
 * People's Liberation Army Ground Force