Beijing boosts Taiwan-facing firepower with brigade-level 155mm howitzer deployment
Beijing has reinforced its military firepower facing the Taiwan Strait by deploying more 155mm PLZ-05 self-propelled howitzers, according to state media reports. Replacing its older 122mm artillery, a heavy combined-arms brigade under the People’s Liberation Army’s 71st Group Army has been equipped with a batch of the 155mm self-propelled howitzers over the past two months and conducted its first…
Beijing has increased its military presence facing Taiwan by deploying a new batch of 155mm PLZ-05 self-propelled howitzers, according to state media reports. The People's Liberation Army's (PLA) 71st Group Army has equipped this heavy combined-arms brigade with the advanced artillery system over the past two months, conducting its first live-fire test of the weapons, reported CCTV.
The 71st Group Army, part of the Eastern Theatre Command, is responsible for operations facing Taiwan, the East China Sea, and Japan. This marks the first time the PLZ-05 has been assigned at the brigade level. The powerful artillery system, originally operated at the group-army level as a long-range suppression weapon, has significantly improved the brigade's overall combat effectiveness, stated brigade officer Sun Xialong.
The brown desert camouflage painted vehicles were believed to have been relocated from the Western Theatre Command, which received lighter, wheeled PCL-181 155mm self-propelled howitzers suited to its plateau and mountainous terrain. The PLZ-05 is equipped with an autoloader allowing a maximum rate of fire of eight to 10 rounds per minute, with the crew remaining inside the vehicle during firing.
It can utilize advanced 155mm ammunition, including the BeiDou-guided WS-35, featuring a maximum range of up to 100km (62 miles). As a frontline unit, the 71st Group Army maintains a high combat readiness for a Taiwan contingency. The PLA is modernizing its artillery forces through increased deployment of PLZ-05 and PCL-181 howitzers, while the US Army faces challenges in replacing its ageing M109-series tracked 155mm self-propelled howitzers.
The US Army recently awarded a contract for six wheeled 155mm K9A2 Mobile Howitzers to a South Korean company. Beijing considers Taiwan part of China and may use force if necessary, while the US and Japan oppose any attempt to take the self-ruled island by force, committing to supplying Taiwan with weapons.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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