{
  "id": "plz-45",
  "name": "PLZ-45 (Type 88)",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "155mm self-propelled howitzer",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1997,
  "operators": [
    "CHN",
    "DZA",
    "ETH",
    "KWT",
    "SAU"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 5,
  "summary": "The PLZ-45 or Type 88 is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Norinco in the 1990s for the export market. It is based on Norinco's Type 89 (PLL01) 155mm/45-calibre towed gun-howitzer.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "NORINCO",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 5,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Chassis",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Turreted tracked chassis.",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.3,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 33,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "Deutz BF12 L413FC",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 525,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 450,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 55,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_xc_kmh",
      "v": 50,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Suspension",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Torsion Bar",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "INA m",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Loader",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "semi-automatic loader",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of fire (max)",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "5 rds/min",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of fire (sustained)",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "2 rds/min",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Max elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "+72 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Min elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "-3 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Vehicle Commander",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Gunner",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Gun Stabilization",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes, two spades can be lowered at the rear of the hull, one either side and in line with the track",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "All-welded steel armor that can withstand small arms fire and shelling",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Turret Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "All-welded steel armor that can withstand small arms fire and shelling",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Explosive reactive armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "No, the PLZ-45 is not intended to be stationed near the front lines of the battlefield",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Active Protection System",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, explosion detection",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Grenade Launchers",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, 2 sets of 4-barrel grenade launchers",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "1 × turret mounted 155mm howitzer, 155mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "1 x W-85 Heavy Machine Gun",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 39,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Maximum firing range",
      "note": "Longest-range ammunition listed"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "High Explosive (HE)",
      "role": "155 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "937 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": "Yes"
      },
      "range_km": 24,
      "qty": "30 Total of any combination projectiles"
    },
    {
      "name": "Extended Range Full Bore (ERFB)",
      "role": "155 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "897 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": "Yes"
      },
      "range_km": 30,
      "qty": "30 Total of any combination projectiles"
    },
    {
      "name": "Extended Range Full Bore, Hollow Base, Base Bleed (ERFB-HB-B",
      "role": "155 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "903 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": "Yes"
      },
      "range_km": 39,
      "qty": "30 Total of any combination projectiles"
    },
    {
      "name": "ERFB-WP",
      "role": "155 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "795.5 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": "Yes"
      },
      "range_km": 25,
      "qty": "30 Total of any combination projectiles"
    },
    {
      "name": "ERFB Ill",
      "role": "155 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "789.2 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": "Yes"
      },
      "range_km": 24,
      "qty": "30 Total of any combination projectiles ea"
    },
    {
      "name": "ERFB BE",
      "role": "155 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "974.5 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": "Yes"
      },
      "range_km": 26,
      "qty": "30 Total of any combination projectiles"
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "PLZ-52",
      "text": "The PLZ-52 looks similar to the PLZ45 but is a more capable system with a longer 52-calibre barrel and better mobility.",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-45"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "sph",
  "image": {
    "file": "plz-45.jpg",
    "thumb": "plz-45-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from Washington D.C, United States",
    "license": "CC BY 2.0",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kuwaiti_PLZ-45_Self-propelled_Guns_on_parade,_2011.jpg",
    "title": "File:Kuwaiti PLZ-45 Self-propelled Guns on parade, 2011.jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Added photo (CC BY 2.0)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/plz-45.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-plz-45": {
      "title": "PLZ-45 (Type 88) 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-45_Type_88_Chinese_155mm_Self-Propelled_Howitzer",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}