{
  "id": "plz-05",
  "name": "PLZ-05 (Type 05)",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "155 mm self-propelled howitzer",
  "status": "in-service",
  "fielded": 1991,
  "operators": [
    "CHN"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 1,
  "summary": "The PLZ-05 was designed and manufactured by the China North Industries Group Corporation (CNGC), better known as Norinco. According to most reports, its development started in the mid-1990s, as a further development of the PLZ-45, an export version which already saw combat.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "NORINCO",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 4,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Chassis",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Tank",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.38,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 3.55,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 35,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "8V150",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 800,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Suspension",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Torsion Bar",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 550,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 55,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_xc_kmh",
      "v": 50,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.2 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of fire (max)",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "10 rds/min; 3 rounds in 15 seconds",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of fire (sustained)",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "9 rds/min",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Max elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "+65 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Min elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "-3 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Vehicle Commander",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Gunner",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Laser/fibre optic Enabled",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Rolled homogeneous plate armor (RHA), Protection against small arms and shell splinters.",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Turret Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Rolled homogeneous plate armor (RHA), Protection against small arms and shell splinters.",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Applique Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Available",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Smoke Equipment",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "two banks of four electrically fired smoke dischargers on each side.",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Grenade Launchers",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "2 sets of 4-barrel grenade launchers",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "PLZ-05, 155 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "1 x QJG89 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "WS-35",
      "role": "155 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "INA",
        "Armor penetration": "Yes",
        "Projectile weight": "18 kg",
        "Guidance": "Yes"
      },
      "qty": "30 Total of any projectile combination"
    },
    {
      "name": "Extended Range Full Bore - Base Bleed - Rocket Assisted (ERF",
      "role": "155 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "INA",
        "Armor penetration": "Yes"
      },
      "qty": "30 Total of any projectile combination"
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "PLZ-05A (PLZ-52)",
      "text": "The PLZ-52 is a 155mm / 52 caliber tracked self-propelled howitzer similar in appearance to the PLZ-45, but based on a slightly different hull.",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "PLZ-04",
      "text": "Self-propelled howitzer with a 54 caliber barrel and apparently offered for export.",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "PLZ-05B",
      "text": "Self-propelled howitzer with lengthened hull using seven pairs of seven roadwheels.",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-05"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "sph",
  "image": {
    "file": "plz-05.jpg",
    "thumb": "plz-05-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "Tyg728",
    "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PLZ-05_Self-Propelled_Artillery_20170919.jpg",
    "title": "File:PLZ-05 Self-Propelled Artillery 20170919.jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-04",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-05",
      "change": "Added photo (CC BY-SA 4.0)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/plz-05.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-plz-05": {
      "title": "PLZ-05 (Type 05) Chinese 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/PLZ-05_Type_05_Chinese_155mm_Self-Propelled_Howitzer",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}