Norinco s PCL-181 SPH in service with PLAGF s 80th Group Army
by Gabriel Dominguez & Mark Cazalet
Chinese state-owned media revealed on 7 May that the China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) 155 mm PCL-181 wheeled self-propelled howitzer (SPH) has entered service with a brigade under the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force’s (PLAGF’s) 80th Group Army.
Footage released by China Central Television (CCTV) showed the SPH being used during day- and night-time live-fire drills at an undisclosed location near the Bohai Sea in China’s northeastern Shandong Province.
A screengrab from footage released by CCTV on 7 May showing several examples of the PCL-181 SPH during a live-fire exercise conducted by a brigade under the PLAGF’s 80th Group Army near the Bohai Sea in China’s northeastern Shandong Province. (CCTV)
PCL-171 SPH in service with PLAGF s 75th Group Army
by Gabriel Dominguez
Chinese state-owned media has revealed that the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force’s (PLAGF’s) 75th Group Army is now operating the new lightweight 122 mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) commonly referred to as the PCL-171.
Footage released by state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) via Weibo on 13 May shows at least five examples of the SPH being used in live-fire drills by an unidentified brigade under the PLAGF’s 75th Group Army at an undisclosed location in China.
CCTV reported that the drills were held to “test the combat effectiveness of [the] equipment”.
PLAGF s Xinjiang Military Command operating ZBL-09 IFV
by Gabriel Dominguez & Samuel Cranny-Evans
Chinese state-owned media revealed on 12 May that the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force’s (PLAGF’s) Xinjiang Military Command has begun operating the China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) ZBL-09 (also known as Type 09) infantry fighting vehicle (IFV).
The platform is the latest in a series of modern military assets delivered to the command in recent months: an indication of the fast pace at which it is being modernised.
A screengrab from footage released by CCTV on 12 May showing a ZBL-09 IFV taking part in a live-fire exercise held near the Karakoram mountain range. CCTV revealed that this IFV type is now in service with the PLAGF’s Xinjiang Military Command. (CCTV)
PLAGF s Xinjiang Military Command operating new 122 mm, 4×4 SPH
11 May 2021
by Gabriel Dominguez & Mark Cazalet
China continues to modernise the equipment and enhance the combat capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force’s (PLAGF’s) Xinjiang Military Command, with state-owned media revealing on 10 May that the command has recently been equipped with new 122 mm, 4×4 self-propelled howitzers (SPHs).
State broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) released footage of the new SPH type, which is being referred to in Chinese social media as the PCL-161, taking part in live-fire exercises on a plateau near the Karakoram mountain range at an altitude of more than 4,500 m above sea level.
Norinco s PCL-181 SPH in service with PLAGF s 80th Group Army
11 May 2021
by Gabriel Dominguez & Mark Cazalet
Chinese state-owned media revealed on 7 May that the China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) 155 mm PCL-181 wheeled self-propelled howitzer (SPH) has entered service with a brigade under the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force’s (PLAGF’s) 80th Group Army.
Footage released by China Central Television (CCTV) showed the SPH being used during day- and night-time live-fire drills at an undisclosed location near the Bohai Sea in China’s northeastern Shandong Province.
A screengrab from footage released by CCTV on 7 May showing several examples of the PCL-181 SPH during a live-fire exercise conducted by a brigade under the PLAGF’s 80th Group Army near the Bohai Sea in China’s northeastern Shandong Province. (CCTV)