PLZ-89

The PLZ-89 is a tier 7 SPG originating from China, and is sold by Zhang Feng. It can be unlocked from the Akatsiya as a side branch of the main Centauro 155 tree.

Features

 * Self propelled guns: fire support vehicles for PvE missions.
 * High caliber: the high caliber weaponry deals an increased damage.
 * HESH: can even penetrate armor with large hit angles.

Pros

 * 3-clip magazine
 * HESH on an SPG
 * Good damage output

Cons

 * Slow to move anywhere
 * Bad aim-time for a 3-clip

Upgrade Suggestions
Firepower upgrades, most notably the HESH, should be focused on. Unlocking the Smoke Grenades allows for better evasion when the vehicle is spotted by enemy AI.

Retrofit Suggestions

 * Improved Gun Breech
 * Advanced MRS
 * Ballistic Computer

Commander and Crew Skill Suggestions
Commander: Crew: Driver: Gunner:
 * Sabrina Washington, to be able to stay hidden and do module damage
 * Off-Road Driving
 * Smooth Ride
 * Sharpshooter
 * Quick Draw

History
Class: Self-Propelled Howitzer Developed: 1985-1989 Service: 1989+ Vehicles Built: cca 100-300 (sources vary) Operators: China Much like all the major military powers of the world, China was relatively quick to recognize the importance of self-propelled artillery. Its early designs were either direct copies of or at least heavily influenced by the Soviets. Soviet self-propelled guns like the 2S1 Gvozdika and the 2S3 Akatsiya have proven to be rugged and successful and it&#39;s therefore no wonder that China wanted such a vehicle of its own. The simplest approach was, of course, to use an existing gun along with an existing chassis and mate the two together. The PLZ-89 SPH was developed in the 1980s as an attempt to provide the same capabilities of the Soviet 2S1 Gvozdika by using existing components, specifically the modified Type 77 APC chassis (which was developed from the Type 62 Light Tank) and the 122mm Type 86 howitzer. The howitzer was almost an exact copy of the old Soviet D-30 from the 1960s – it could even fire Soviet ammunition. As its name suggest, the vehicle had likely entered official service in 1989, although it was not shown to the public until a decade later. PLZ-89 wasn’t exported and is only currently in use by the Chinese military, both by the land forces and marines. It is not known how many of these vehicles were built since 1989, estimates range from several hundred to just over a hundred vehicles. By now, it is somewhat obsolete and will certainly be replaced by more modern vehicles in the future.