PLA equips Eastern Command brigade with heavy artillery for Taiwan Strait
China has deployed 155mm PLZ-05 self-propelled howitzers to a brigade under the 71st Group Army, replacing older 122mm guns. This is the first time such artillery is assigned at brigade level, enhancing firepower facing Taiwan. The move comes as US artillery programs lag.
The 71st Group Army's heavy combined-arms brigade recently received the PLZ-05 systems, which were previously held at higher echelon levels for long-range suppression. The unit conducted its inaugural live-fire exercise with the new equipment, with officer Sun Xialong noting a substantial boost in combat capability.
The howitzers were transferred from the Western Theatre Command, which has shifted to lighter wheeled PCL-181 models tailored for high-altitude and rugged terrain. This reallocation aligns with the Eastern Theatre Command's primary operational focus on the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, and Japan.
This deployment could heighten regional military tensions, potentially affecting residents and shipping in the Taiwan Strait area. The enhanced firepower may alter the tactical calculus for regional planners, while the shift of artillery from western to eastern commands could impact logistical and training priorities. Observers may view this as a signal of Beijing's intent to modernize its coastal defense, potentially prompting neighboring forces to reassess their own readiness.