NORINCO PLZ-07 (Type 07)

Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) Vehicle [ 2007 ]

The NORINCO PLZ-07 Self-Propelled Howitzer platform was unveiled for public viewing in October of 2009.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/02/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from the Chinese Ministry of Defense.

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The modern Chinese Army (the People's Liberation Army = PLA) currently fields two distinct forms of self-propelled artillery - one in 122mm and another in the more standard 155mm. The 122mm caliber is a hold-over from the Soviet Cold-war era and still serves a (limited) purpose on the battlefield today. One example of this vehicle form in service is the PLZ-07, also known as the "Type 07". The vehicles were developed by China NORth INdustries COrporation (NORINCO) and made their first public appearance in October of 2009.

The PLZ-07 design is based upon the existing chassis f the ZBD-97 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) detailed elsewhere on this site. The vehicle is very similar in form and function to the Soviet 2S1 "Gvozdika".

The PLZ-07 is intended as a direct successor to aging vehicle lines like the Type 70, Type 85 and Type 89. As such it retains a track-and-wheel form and houses its gunnery crew in a fully-enclosed, 360-degree traversing turret structure fitted over the rear of the tank. The driver takes up a position in the hull. The entire crew complement numbers five men.©MilitaryFactory.com

Drive power is supplied by a diesel unit of 600 horsepower installed in the front-right of the hull. The running gear includes six rubber-tired roadwheels to a track side with the dive sprocket at front and the track idler at rear. Three track return rollers are used. Suspension is by way of a torsion bar arrangement. Maximum road speed is 65 kmh and range is out to 500 kilometers.

The 122mm main gun tube, based on the Soviet-era D-30 towed artillery gun, is seated in the front facing of the turret and is featured with a fume extractor and large muzzle brake as well as an integral recoil mechanism. The standard High-Explosive (HE) shell can reach out to ranges of 18 kilometers while rocket-assisted types have a range well over 25 kilometers giving the vehicle a fairly good reach.

In addition to the 122mm main armament, the vehicle sports a 12.7mm heavy machine gun for the anti-aircraft role. This weapon can also serve in suppression of enemy elements but the vehicle is largely intended for behind-frontline operations - utilizing either in-direct or direct methods of fire as needed. For self-screening, the tank is also equipped with four banks of three smoke grenade dischargers each; these are installed along the forward turret side facings.

As finalized, the PLZ-07 design sports a weight of 24.5 tons and features a length of 6.6 meters with a width of 3.28 meters and a height of 2.5 meters. This allows the combat system to traverse established road ways and bridges across China while also being capable of air transportation as well as rail transportation.

The amphibious assault form of the PLZ-07 tank is designated PLZ-07B.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

2007

Origin

China

Status

ACTIVE
In Active Service.

Crew

5
CREWMEN

Production

450
UNITS

China NORth INdustries COrporation (NORINCO) - China

(View other Vehicle-Related Manufacturers)

China

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Fire Support / Assault / Breaching
Support allied forces through direct / in-direct fire, assault forward positions, and / or breach fortified areas of the battlefield.

Length

21.7 ft
6.6 m

Width

10.8 ft
3.28 m

Height

8.2 ft
2.5 m

Weight

54,013 lb
24,500 kg

Tonnage

27.0 tons
MEDIUM

(Showcased structural values pertain to the base NORINCO PLZ-07 (Type 07) production variant. Length typically includes main gun in forward position if applicable to the design)

Powerplant: 1 x Diesel-fueled engine developing 600 horsepower driving conventional track-and-wheel arrangement.

Speed

40.4 mph
(65.0 kph)

Range

310.7 mi
(500.0 km)

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base NORINCO PLZ-07 (Type 07) production variant. Compare this entry against any other in our database)

1 x 122mm main gun in front turret face.
1 x 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft (AA) Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) on turret roof.
4 x 4 Smoke Grenade Dischargers at turret cheeks.

Supported Types

Graphical image of a tank cannon armament

Graphical image of a tank medium machine gun

Graphical image of a tank heavy machine gun

Graphical image of tank /armored vehicle smoke grenade dischargers

(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)

30 x 122mm projectiles (estimated).

550 x 12.7mm ammunition.

12 x Smoke Grenades.

PLZ-07 - Base Series Designation.

Type 07 - Alternative Designation.

PLZ-07B - Amphibious assault model with revised bow.

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