PLZ-89

The PLZ-89 is a Chinese 122mm self-propelled howitzer developed in the late 1980s. It is based on the chassis of the Type 89 armored personnel carrier and provides mobile fire support for ground forces.

Developed to counter Soviet and Western advancements in mechanized warfare, the PLZ-89 was designed to replace aging towed artillery and provide rapid, armored fire support for the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) armored divisions. The system officially entered service in the late 1980s and made its public debut during the 1999 National Day parade in Beijing. Although it has not seen active combat, the PLZ-89 was widely deployed across PLA army and marine units, participating in numerous large-scale military exercises along China's borders. Today, the PLZ-89 is gradually being phased out and replaced by the more advanced PLZ-07, but it remains a vital milestone in China's transition toward a fully mechanized artillery force.