, the arms division of the Austrian steel companyVoest-Alpine, purchased the design rights to the GC-45 howitzer after Space Research Corporation moved to Brussels. They made a number of detail changes to improve mass production, resulting in the GHN-45, which was offered in a variety of options like the APU and fire control systems. Once out of prison, Gerald Bull was soon contacted by China. The PLA also used the Noricum version, producing it as the PLL01/WA021, which entered service in 1987. They also mounted it on a locally designed tracked chassis to produce the PLZ-45, along with an ammo-carrier based on the same chassis. The PLZ-45 did not enter service with the PLA primarily because their existing artillery was all based on Soviet-standard 152 mm ammunition. However, two major batches of PLZ-45s were sold to the Kuwaiti and to Saudi Arabia.
Design
Armament
Operated by a crew of five, the PLZ-45 is armed with a 155mm, 45-calibre main gun, with a semi-automatic loader and an electrically controlled and hydraulically operated ram that enables projectile loading to take place at any angle of elevation with the charge being loaded manually. The turret has an elevation of +72 to -3 degrees with 360 degree traverse. Secondary weapons include a roof-mounted W-85 heavy machine gun and two sets of four-barrel smoke grenade launchers on the turret's side. Ammunition is stored at the rear of the turret. A total of 30 rounds for the gun-howitzer and 480 rounds for the machine gun are carried on board. 24 howitzer rounds are carried in the loader and 6 rounds on the right side below the loader. The fire-control system of the PLZ-45 includes an automatic laying system, optical sighting system, gun orientation and navigation system, and a GPS receiver.
Munitions
The PLZ-45 howitzer fires a range of Extended Range Full Bore ammunition, including High Explosive, Base Bleed High Explosive, ERFB-BB/RA, ERFB/WP, ERFB/Illuminating, ERFB/Smoke, and ERFB-BB/Cargo. China obtained the Russian Krasnopol laser-guided projectile technology in the 1990s, and successfully developed its own 155mm laser-guided ammunition. Designed to defeat armoured vehicles and weapon emplacements, the projectile has inertial mid-course guidance and semi-active laser homing. The projectile has a range of 3 – 20 km, and can hit a target by the first shot without registration.
Combat
A standard PLZ-45 battalion consists of 3 batteries, each with 6 PLZ-45 self-propelled howitzers and 6 PCZ-45 ammunition support vehicles. Each battery has a battery command post and 3 battery reconnaissance vehicles, both of which are based on the Type 85 APC. These are supported by W653A armored recovery vehicles, 704-1 artillery locating and fire correction radar, 702-D meteorological radar, and fire support maintenance vehicles.
Propulsion
The PLZ-45 self-propelled howitzer is powered by a 525 hp Deutz turbocharged air-cooled diesel engine, giving a max road speed of 55 km/h.
Armor & protection
The armor of the PLZ-45 self-propelled howitzer protects against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. It is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems.
Operational history
In 2015, the Saudi Army used the PLZ-45 to bomb Houthi rebels in western Yemen during the 2015 Military Intervention in Yemen. This was the first time the PLZ-45 has been used in combat. In late 2015 Kuwait has sent an Artillery Battalion to the Saudi borders as a part of the intervention in Yemen.
: 27 PLZ-45s ordered in 1998 and delivered in 2000 - 2001. 24 more howitzers were ordered in 2001 and delivered in 2002 - 2003.
: In 2007, it was reported that the Saudi Arabian Army had decided to order two battalions of the PLZ-45 artillery system. In August 2008, China signed a contract to provide Saudi Arabia with one battalion i.e. 27 PLZ-45 155mm self-propelled howitzers. Another contract to supply one more battalion was signed later in the month. The howitzers were delivered between 2008-2009.
: 18 delivered in 1999
:50 have been dileverd. first Appearance was on 2017
