So far, the debut of Cambodia's defense equipment has been almost unheard of, but there is interesting news from this Khmer country. It stated that the Cambodian Army acquired three types of heavyweight armored weapons systems from China.
Uniquely, the three known types of weapons consist of the 300 mm AR2 self propelled MLRS (multiple launch rocket system), Type 90B 122 mm and the SH15 155 mm self propelled howitzer, all of which are manufactured by Norinco (North Industries Group Corporation Limited).
Quoted from shephardmedia.com (31/5/2022), it was stated that videos and photos of the arrival of the three defense equipment had appeared on the internet on May 25, 2022, when the military vehicle was unloaded from a cargo ship at Sihanoukville Port, Cambodia.
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The artillery system imported by Cambodia was complemented by other vehicles such as an ammunition transport truck and the Xiaolong JL3 4×4 (FJ2040) tactical vehicle.
Norinco AR2 300 mm
Of the three armed weapons imported by Cambodia, the 300 mm AR2 has received the most attention. Reportedly, there were 6 AR2 units purchased by Cambodia. The AR2 is the export variant of the Norinco PHL-03.
Originally, the PHL-03 was a copy of the Smerch, but it seems that China managed to overtake Russia in terms of rockets, as the rockets of the PHL-03 have a longer range than the Smerch. Norinco claims that China's 300 mm rockets are not compatible with Russia's Smerch rockets because they use different motors and propellant components. This artillery rocket system has a digital fire control system. The PHL-03 is operated by a crew of 4.
The PHL-03 is mounted on a Wanshan WS2400 8×8 truck chassis, then the reload vehicle is based on the same Wanshan WS2400 8×8 chassis and is equipped with a hydraulic winch. The munitions carrier can carry 12 rockets.
Norinco MLRS AR2 300 mm 10×10
As seen in the photo, what was imported by Cambodia also includes a Wanshan WS2500 with a 10×8 or 10×10 drive with a weight of 20 tons. On the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, a modified WS2500 variant was seen carrying the DF-17 hypersonic ballistic missile.
Norinco Type 90B
Like the RM70 Vampire and RM70 Grad used by the Indonesian Navy Marine Corps, the Self Propelled MLRS from China also carries 40 rocket launchers in one vehicle. The loading pattern and firing system are not much different from the RM70 Grad and RM70 Vampire. The Type 90B was officially introduced by Norinco in 2004, after previously Norinco released the Type 90 (first) in the mid-1990s. The time it takes to deploy the Type 90B in a location until it is ready to fire only takes less than 7 minutes.
Norinco SH15 155 mm
In design and appearance, there are similarities between CAESAR and SH15, only that the SH15 does not use a European truck platform, but uses the Shaanxi 6×6 truck. The cab on the truck is armored. As the base of the gun, Norinco used the AH-2 155 mm / L52.
As is the case with CAESAR, when the SH15 is firing, two large spades are lowered to stabilize fire and resist repulsion. From the performance aspect, the SH15 can launch standard projectiles up to a maximum distance of 20 km. Meanwhile, when using a rocket-assisted projectile, the firing range can reach 53 km.
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In terms of munitions, Norinco did have special attention in this one howitzer caliber, trying to be superior to Nexter, then released projectiles with GP155 laser guidance, projectiles with GP155B satellite guidance, and projectiles to explode over GP155G targets.
The howitzer barrel can be moved horizontally left and right with a distance of 25 degrees. While the maximum angle of elevation of the barrel is up to 67.5 degrees. With a crew of 5 trained, in one minute this howitzer can fire 4-6 projectiles.
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