The prototype of the Type 83. The artillery system is based on the Type 66 152mm towed gun-howitzer mounted on a Type 321 utility full-track chassis, which is also used in many other artillery systems in the PLA.

The Type 83 is the PLA’s first modern self-propelled artillery system that is comparable to Western or Soviet/Russian designs.

The Type 83 is fitted with a semi-automatic loader that enables it to fire with a burst rate of 5 rounds/min. In normal conditions, the ammunitions are fed through the loading hatches on the side and rear of the turret. When the loading vehicle is not available, the artillery can also use its onboard ammunition load of 30 rounds.

The Type 83 was first seen in October 1984 during the military parade to celebrate the 35 th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. It has been in service with the PLA armoured forces as the primary artillery weapon system since then.

Type 83s in service with the PLA. The development of the Type 83 began in the late 1970s, and the batch production was approved in 1983.

The Type 83 is the PLA’s first modern self-propelled artillery system that is comparable to Western or Soviet/Russian designs.