Land weapons showcase Ground Force's modernization

The People's Liberation Army displayed a number of new land weapons at Tuesday's parade, showcasing the PLA Ground Force's latest achievements in modernization.

Among the ground-based hardware on display, the ZTQ-15 light tank, HQ-17A air defense missile system and an unidentified multiple rocket launcher were included in a parade for the first time.

Yu Shuo, an industry observer of land weapons, said that despite its light weight, the ZTQ-15 is highly mobile and has good self-protection measures. He said the light tank is mainly tasked with undertaking combat operations in mountainous regions or on plateaus.

It is equipped with specially designed fied engines that can handle the shortage of oxygen at high altitudes. Its main weapon - a 105 millimeter gun - is powerful enough to destroy all kinds of tanks likely to confront it on plateaus, he said.

"The ZTQ-15's overall capabilities are comparable to those of many main battle tanks," Yu said. "Specifically speaking, it is mightier than all tanks in the world except the top five main battle tanks."

Ge Lide, a defense technology researcher at PLA National Defense University, said that while the tank falls into the light-duty category, its combat capability is pretty strong, considering its firepower, mobility, defensive features and information capacity.

He said it is capable of moving through many kinds of tough terrain and should be able to outperform all other PLA tanks and armored vehicles off-road.

The HQ-17A, the PLA Ground Force's newest short-range surface-to-air missile, is tasked with escorting armored units.

Yu said the air defense weapon boasts a compact structure, state-of-the-art fire-control systems and good anti-jamming capability. It is mobile and can be rapidly deployed in combat.

"The HQ-17A and the PGZ-07 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun can work together to provide a reliable short-range air defense network for armored forces," he said.

Yu said the unnamed new multiple rocket launcher on display is larger, has a longer range and is more accurate than its predecessor, the PHL-03.

"The new model's rocket has a caliber of 370 mm and is likely capable of hitting targets more than 280 kilometers away from our artillery forces," he said.

"It can also be equipped with 300 mm rocket launch tubes, making it capable of firing 300 mm rockets, which means the new model will have a larger strike coverage."

The new weapon's deployment would enable the PLA Ground Force to take out targets deep into enemy lines, Yu said.

(China Daily Global 10/02/2019 page6)