Self Propelled Gun/Rocket Launcher
- Thread starter FORBIN
- Start date
by78
General
Old image from two years back.
antiterror13
Brigadier
What different roles PCL-181 (newer) vs PLZ-05, both are 155mm ?
Maybe one for heavy combined arms and one for medium/light combined arms.
Tracks can travel rougher terrain but wheels are faster on suitable roads.
lcloo
Captain
Both have same gun i.e. PLL-01 155mm gun. Y20 tranport jet can carry two 25 tons PCL-181 while it can carry only one 45 tons PZ-05, quick air lift in larger number onto islands is a plus point for PCL-181.
Tracked and wheeled vehicles have their pro and con on mobility on different ground surfaces on high plateau, desert, humid jungle, soft muddy ground, plains, bridges etc.
Development of PCL-181 was to complement PLZ-05. PCL-181 is more likely to be used for quick expeditionary deployment in sudden flare up areas like Yunan-Myanmar borders, Xinjiang and Tibet.
antiterror13
Brigadier
Shaanxi Y-9 can carry 1x PCL-181 but not able to carry PZ-05
The much lighter PCL-181 I believe due to the much more advanced Chinese manufacturing technology and material, PCL-181 is much newer (~2019) than PZ-05 (early 2000) ..... do you think China will stop procuring PZ-05 and prefer PCL-181 instead ?
@lcloo
Interesting that PCL-181 is only 25 tons while older PZ-05 is ~45 tons
The much lighter PCL-181 I believe due to the much more advanced Chinese manufacturing technology and material, PCL-181 is much newer (~2019) than PZ-05 (early 2000) ..... do you think China will stop procuring PZ-05 and prefer PCL-181 instead ?
@lcloo
Interesting that PCL-181 is only 25 tons while older PZ-05 is ~45 tons
Seems like it reflects a changing doctrine. PZ-05 is perfectly suitable for a defensive war if the mainland is threatened, where as PCL-181 with its much greater air mobility is used in an offensive war.
antiterror13
Brigadier
So I think PLA won't order more PZ-05 but dedicated order more PCL-181 or more newer version