The PGZ88 is an SPAA with a pair of 37 mm cannons and a radar that can be effectively used against both air and ground targets!
PGZ88: An SPAA for China Rank V
At a glance:
- Radar
- 37 mm belt-fed guns
- Average mobility
- Vulnerable turret
The PGZ88 became the first purpose-built Chinese SPAA to be accepted into service. Requirements for such a system were initially formulated by the PLA Armored Forces Command as early as 1958, but the project was repeatedly suspended and resumed, and its actual implementation only began in the late 1970s.
In September 1985, a prototype was built on a modified Type 69 tank chassis and upgraded naval 37 mm automatic guns for military trials. In October 1986, four vehicles were built for final acceptance. Comprehensive testing at the Chaoyi and Baicheng test ranges involved intensive use of the equipment: 140 target sorties were flown, 5,479 rounds were fired, and the guidance and control systems each achieved 108 to 210 hours of operation. Successful tests confirmed the effectiveness and reliability of the system, allowing it to be adopted for air defense of mechanized columns.
Introducing the PGZ88!
In the next major update the PGZ88, an SPAA based on the Type 69 tank chassis armed with a pair of 37 mm cannons and a radar is coming to the game! This vehicle will be able to defend allies from helicopters, low-flying aircraft, and lightly armored ground vehicles. Let’s take a closer look!
The PGZ88 is going to be China’s first radar-equipped anti-aircraft vehicle in the SPAA line, essential for the rapid detection and destruction of helicopters and attack aircraft. The vehicle is based on a tracked tank platform housing a turret with a three-person crew, a pair of 37 mm autocannons, and a radar. The turret is only protected from machine gun fire. The PGZ88’s belt-fed automatic cannons can fire in bursts until the barrels overheat.
The PGZ88 inherits its mobility from the Type 69, so don’t expect any performance records. It’s no faster than 50 km/h on paved roads, and just over 7 km/h in reverse. Being a bit faster would be nicer of course, but it’s perfectly acceptable for small maps and urban areas. Actively capturing objectives and quickly moving along flanks is unlikely with the PGZ88, so it’s often more advantageous to move with a group of allies, providing supporting fire against ground vehicles and promptly destroying helicopters and approaching attack aircraft.
That’s it for this one! The PGZ88 will be added to the Chinese ground forces at rank V in the next game update. We’ll be sharing more news about other new additions soon, so stay tuned!
Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.
You can kick-start and greatly speed up the research of the PGZ88 with these packs:
- M3A3 (1st PTG) (Rank II, China)
- Curtiss Hawk H-81A-2 (Rank II, China)
- Premium Account for 7 days
- 120.000 Silver Lions
- 9.99
- Store
- ZTZ96B (Rank VII, China)
- Premium account for 20 days
- 2500 Golden Eagles
- 69.99
- Store
