Hey everyone! We’re back with another Work-In-Progress blog, this time for the Chinese PLZ45 with a 155 mm cannon, planned for the upcoming major update. Let’s take a look at it!
Right then, what is the PLZ45? This SPG is built around a modernized 155 howitzer with a barrel length of 45 calibers. You may be familiar with a distant relative of this gun from the G6 Rhino, but this specific variant is new to War Thunder. It fires three types of shells: a standard HE, HE with a radio fuze, and semi-armor-piercing (SAP). The shells weigh over 45 kg, and the first two specific shells are new models for this caliber to the game.
We’ve decided to make the PLZ45 a premium vehicle as China currently lack a premium option for this vehicle type, it’ll likely come as part of a pre-order pack. In terms of gameplay, its abilities somewhat fit between the PLZ83 and PLZ05 SPGs, offering a middle-ground option that doesn’t significantly add to what’s already available. While its gun is more powerful than the PLZ83, its muzzle velocity is slightly inferior to the modern PLZ05. The PLZ45 also lacks a stabilizer, laser rangefinder, and autoloader. With its overall capabilities and Battle Rating situated between the PLZ83 and PLZ05 at rank IV, it serves as a nice optional premium addition to your lineups if you’re a fan of this type of playstyle. Its powerful cannon with comparable firepower to the PLZ05 is definitely an appealing trait, as it still packs a punch, even with its slow reload rate and lack of a laser rangefinder.
The PLZ45 was primarily produced for export. The main operators of this SPG were Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and Kuwait. However, some PLZ45s are also in service with the PLA, so the PLZ45 will feature the camouflage patterns used on modern Chinese army vehicles.
That’s all for now! You’ll be able to see the new PLZ45 in its final form very soon; the vehicle is almost ready. New devblogs are work in progress too, and we have lots of interesting things to come. See you soon!
Please note that vehicle specifications and model visuals may be subject to revision and change before being added to the game.
Great… another cold war/modern SPH that will probably see ww2 vehicles, pretending it’s a tank rather than an artillery piece… just what the game needs
The US also lacks a premium of this kind. Maybe soon we can see a M109A7, or SPH Primus since it’s based off the M109, and the 109 itself shares parts with the Bradley?
Britain can still get Centurion Chieftain or Challenger GBT 155, if we needed another 155mm howitzer, and we already have 3 in the tech tree being the M109, G6 and AS90
And if we REALLY wanted a “Fresh” one we could just get an Indian K9 (VIDAR) which is already a subtree
even a G6-52, or AS90 Braveheart. Maybe even the Polish one with the Braveheart turret we’re not starved for options
Well, it’s almost better this way, since we already have the 203mm M55 in the game, which, despite having twice the explosive power of the 155mm gun, only has a few millimeters more penetration than the 155mm gun, making this tank unnecessary garbage, as it is worse in every way than the other SPHs.
The weight level must not be higher than 6.7, just enough to form a team with WZ141. If there is another 6.7 gift plane in the future. That would be perfect.
