China’s People’s Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) continues to modernise its artillery brigades, with units under the 72nd Group Army and the Tibet Military District now seen operating new equipment aimed at enhancing their lethality and reconnaissance capabilities, reported Jane's.
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Video footage released by state-owned broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) on 19 October showed that the wheeled PCL-181 155 mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) is also being operated by the 72nd Group Army, after having been observed in service with the 73rd, 74th, and 75th Group Armies as well as the Tibet Military District.
The broadcaster showed several examples of the 6×6 SPH, which is manufactured by China North Industries (Group) Corporation (Norinco) and has been in PLAGF service since early 2019, taking part in a live-fire exercise in China’s eastern Anhui Province.
The 25-tonne SPH features an automatic gun-laying system, a semi-automatic ammunition loading system, a digitised control board, and has room for six personnel in the cabin area (including the driver).
In a separate news report the CCTV 7 channel revealed on 20 October that the Tibet Military District is operating a truck-mounted launch system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). More specifically, the footage shows that the 4×4 system carries what appears to be a rocket-launched UAV that is similar in appearance – but not identical – to the ASN-207 UAV used by several PLA units.
