{
  "id": "plz-83",
  "name": "PLZ-83 (Type 83)",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "152mm self-propelled howitzer",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1983,
  "operators": [
    "CHN"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 1,
  "summary": "The PLZ-83 (Type 83) Chinese 152mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) is capable of firing all standard types of 152mm rounds. The main armament cannon is based on the Chinese 152mm towed Type 66 mounted on a vehicle hull similar to the Russian 152mm SP gun-howitzer 2S3.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "NORINCO",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 5,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Chassis",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "PLZ-83 (Type 83)",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Displacement time",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "1 min",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Emplacement time",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "1 min",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.24,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 30,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "Deutz Type 12150L",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 520,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 450,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 55,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_xc_kmh",
      "v": 35,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.3 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording without Preparation",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.3 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Loader",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "No ammunition handling system",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of fire (max)",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "8 rds/min",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of fire (sustained)",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "8 rds/min",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Max elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "+65 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Min elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "-5 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Vehicle Commander",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Gunner",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Gun Stabilization",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Armored Steel (Protection from shell splinters and small arms)",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Turret Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Armored Steel (Protection from shell splinters and small arms)",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "Type 66, Type 83 (152mm Howitzer)",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "1 x Type 54 (DShKM)",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 30,
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Maximum firing range"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "152mm HE Projectile",
      "role": "152 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "655 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": "Yes",
        "Fuze": "RGM-2, RGM-2m, D-1U, V-90"
      },
      "qty": "30 rounds total any combination of 152mm Rounds."
    },
    {
      "name": "152 mm HE-FRAG Projectile",
      "role": "152 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "655 m/s"
      },
      "qty": "30 rounds total any combination of 152mm Rounds."
    },
    {
      "name": "152mm Cargo Projectile",
      "role": "152 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "655 m/s"
      },
      "qty": "30 rounds total any combination of 152mm Rounds."
    },
    {
      "name": "BB-HE Projectile",
      "role": "152 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "660 m/s"
      },
      "qty": "30 rounds total any combination of 152mm Rounds."
    },
    {
      "name": "BB-RA/HE Projectile",
      "role": "152 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "674 m/s"
      },
      "qty": "30 rounds total any combination of 152mm Rounds."
    },
    {
      "name": "Jamming",
      "role": "152 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "655 m/s"
      },
      "qty": "30 rounds total any combination of 152mm Rounds."
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "Type 89 Multiple Launch Rocket System",
      "text": "Type 89 multiple launch rocket system. It is based on the same tracked armored chassis. This artillery rocket system was revealed in 1999. It is speculated that this system entered service in the late 1990s and was not o",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "425-mm mine-clearing system",
      "text": "This is a basic vehicle with a limited-traverse launcher that has two cradles, each holding a large rocket with a range of 875-1,090 yds (800-1,000 m). When the rocket lands, it explodes -- clearing an area 140 yds (130 ",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Type 89 Tank Destroyer",
      "text": "The Type 89 is a tank destroyer based on the hull of the Type 83. It features a 120-mm smoothbore anti-tank gun in a new turret.",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Trench Digger",
      "text": "A trench digger has been developed based on the hull of the Type 83 self-propelled howitzer. The vehicle, fitted with a front-mounted dozer blade, can dig between 8,830 cubic ft (250 cubic m) to 10,590 cubic ft (300 cubi",
      "src": [
        "weg-plz-83"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "sph",
  "image": null,
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/plz-83.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-plz-83": {
      "title": "PLZ-83 (Type 83) Chinese 152mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/PLZ-83_Type_83_Chinese_152mm_Self-Propelled_Howitzer",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}