NORINCO China's largest state owned manufacturer of military equipment has been taking giant steps in producing it's version of lightweight howitzers presenting itself as an alternative to expensive American M-777 howitzer. The NORINCO produced AH4 155MM/39 caliber lightweight howitzers made out of advanced materials to reduce it's weight making it capable for mountain warfare where logistical challenges are rather harsh compared to low terrain warfare. The Howitzer is capable of firing guided munitions including NATO and Chinese rounds. It has an empty weight of 3,000 KG with a combat weight of total 4,500 KG along with a crew of seven. The AH4 has found it's first users in middle east, earlier reports were published about the sale of howitzers to an unnamed customer. A post from a blog has shown that the customer is none other than Kuwait a consumer of American produced hardware. Ultralight howitzers are molded and manufactured with advanced materials like titanium in order to reduce weight making it easier for quick movement and deployment. traditional artillery guns are made out of Iron or steel keeping the cost in mind. Ultralight howitzers are thus expensive due to complex manufacturing process. The M-777 howitzer sets the taxpayer back by $4,5-$5 million dollars a piece. These units have a range of 40 Km and can be extended up to 70 Km with guided munitions, the M-777 in comparison to the AH-4 is a combat tested and proven weapon system with more than 5 customers across the globe. Although this doesn't means that the AH-4 is less capable, the Chinese have presented themselves as an alternative to the American system being rather easy to buy with China's favorable financial terms.
Written By- Sarthak Das Image credits - http://china-defense.blogspot.com/ |