Increase in firepower: China switches to 155mm self-propelled howitzers

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Increase in firepower: China switches to 155mm self-propelled howitzers

For the PRC, the corona crisis ended with a tightening of foreign policy, which was accompanied by an intensification of the process of modernizing the army. One of the most significant manifestations of the transformation of the ground forces is the transition to the new PCL-181 self-propelled howitzer.
According to the Chinese media, the new product is intended to replace the outdated 152-mm and 130-mm towed guns.

Given the organizational size of the PLA, it retains significant stocks of obsolete weapons, but the work of the military-industrial complex is able to change this situation for several years

- considers the edition 21AAR.



In his words, equipping entire brigades with a 155-mm self-propelled howitzer "will result in a huge increase in firepower."

The existence of PCL-181 has been known for the past few years. Since then, some details of the product have been revealed. The howitzer has a hydraulic loading system that automatically places the explosive and the projectile into the breech. The control panel is located on the left wheel arch at the rear of the truck. The calculation is 5 people. Judging by the photographs, 36 barrels are attributed to the mechanized brigade. The battery contains 6 guns.

Chinese media have argued that the transition from towed artillery to a self-propelled howitzer is driven by three reasons.

First, it takes less time to move and deploy to fire, which takes only three minutes. Secondly, each howitzer has its own magazine, which is located in a compartment behind the armored cabin, ammunition is stored in sealed containers. This eliminates the need to accompany the TPM weapon. Third, the PCL-181 weighs only 25 tons, making it suitable for air transport.

It is safe to assume that hundreds of PCL-181s are currently in service with the PLA. This is a noticeable advantage over rivals in the APR, who have practically nothing to replace their outdated artillery systems.

- concludes 21AAR.

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    22 comments
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    1. -4
      29 July 2020 07: 20
      Systems are good, just don't need to be absolutized. They will not give an overwhelming superiority, because they also have disadvantages, such as reliability, dimensions, calculation qualifications, etc.
      Designed to replace outdated 152mm and 130mm towed guns.
      1. +1
        29 July 2020 08: 35
        They will not give decisive superiority

        It is easier for them to perform the anti-fire maneuver, therefore, they go to increase the overall dimensions of the system.
    2. 0
      29 July 2020 07: 20
      And why do they need a NATO caliber? Want to join NATO, overtaking uk-royu? Or do they want to sell them in Europe, dumping them in the arms market? negative
      1. +1
        29 July 2020 07: 28
        So that in the event of a mess, to smack with trophy shells, if they run out hi
      2. +4
        29 July 2020 07: 30
        Not only. the use of enemy ammunition can give its advantages. Who is the opponent is another matter? India and Asian sovereigns? So the Chinese should not experience difficulties with PSU. request The United States will not clash with China locally. And if it is the United States, then China will not have time to test them. feel .
      3. +1
        29 July 2020 07: 32
        Quote: Thrifty
        Or do they want to sell them in Europe, dumping them in the arms market?

        You are looking at the very root. Why do it if you can't sell it. 155 mm or 152 mm is not very important, buy Chinese cheap and cheerful. hi
      4. +3
        29 July 2020 07: 34
        That's exactly what to sell. Only not in Europe, but in Africa and Asian countries like Pakistan or Cambodia. They use 155mm systems there.
      5. +5
        29 July 2020 08: 06
        Well, they have been sitting at 155 for a long time (although the most saturated option is 122). For they were helped by the French as well as with helicopters wink

        Their Msta - 155mm / 52


        By the way, Algeria has already bought them.
      6. +5
        29 July 2020 09: 14
        Quote: Thrifty
        And why do they need a NATO caliber?

        Because when they received licenses, they were in "contradiction" with the USSR
    3. -1
      29 July 2020 07: 30
      of course, according to some "scribes" of the military review, all this is against India against who else; But how is the fence between the USA and Mexico still intact or not?
      1. +2
        29 July 2020 09: 17
        Quote: nobody
        of course, according to some "scribes" of the military review, all this is against India against who else

        Against Taiwan.
    4. 0
      29 July 2020 07: 31
      The button is awesome! good And how a soldier pressed it proudly! wassat
      But seriously, China will have to replace 70 percent of its artillery in order to reach a new modern level - there are too many simple old things there.
      1. 0
        29 July 2020 08: 19
        Well, if it turns around, then 122 will be the main one, and there are a lot of them, on different chassis and already riveted (and the old one), everything is really rich.




        even for the Airborne Forces there is a landing truck with PL96 (D30 slightly altered by the Chinese)
      2. +1
        29 July 2020 23: 55
        They will have to, they will replace them. They have a lot of money and human and other resources.
    5. +2
      29 July 2020 07: 38

      This is a noticeable advantage over rivals in the APR, which have practically nothing to replace their outdated artillery systems.

      Quite a strange conclusion. There are about a dozen of these 155mm wheeled howitzers that the countries of Southeast Asia can buy. Moreover, for a reasonable price and in a short time
    6. 0
      29 July 2020 07: 42
      Firepower, plus the loading of military-industrial complex enterprises.
      If they can afford it, they will do it.
    7. 0
      29 July 2020 08: 45
      What is the gain of 152-155mm? Moreover, they have their own shells. The same projectile can be made in 152 and 155mm.
      1. +2
        29 July 2020 09: 19
        Quote: Zaurbek
        What is the gain of 152-155mm?

        They have 152 guns on the level of the Soviet 2S3 and D-20
        1. 0
          29 July 2020 10: 44
          Well, for some reason they decided to make 155mm, not 152mm with a long barrel!
          1. +2
            29 July 2020 10: 46
            Because at the time of the decision, they did not have access to Soviet technologies. And there was access to the western ones.
            1. 0
              29 July 2020 11: 39
              And Western technologies only allow 155mm barrels to do?
              1. 0
                30 July 2020 14: 21
                You don't need to do anything like that. Take the ready-made rig.

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