WAC-21 explained

WAC-21 155mm howitzer
Origin:	People's Republic of China and other operators
Type:	Howitzer
Is Artillery:	yes
Service:	1987–present
Used By:	People's Republic of China
Designer:	Gerald Bull
Design Date:	1980s
Production Date:	1980s–present
Part Length:	45 calibres
Caliber:	155mm

The WAC-21 (also called Type 88 and WA021) is a Chinese 155 mm howitzer produced by Norinco, It was developed with the assistance of Gerald Bull.

History

By the late-1970s, Gerald Bull was aiding the development of longer-ranged 155 mm caliber guns^[1] based on the Space Research Corporation's (SRC) GC-45 howitzer.^[2] An early result was the GHN-45 howitzer from Voest-Alpine's subsidiary, Noricum.^{[1] [2] [3]} Over four years starting From the early-1980s, SRC helped China^[1] develop and produce the WAC-21 gun,^{[1] [2]} which was a "virtual clone" of the GHN-45,^[3] and ammunition. Iraq reportedly ordered the WAC-21 in 1987.^[1]

Operators

Current

• - 15

Former

• China - 150 in 2012; retired by 2014.
• Iraq - 120 in 1991^[1]

See also

• PLZ-45, self-propelled artillery armed with the WAC-21.^[4]

References

Sources

• Book: International Institute for Strategic Studies . International Institute for Strategic Studies . The Military Balance 2012 . 2012 . Routledge . 9781000673791 .
• Book: International Institute for Strategic Studies . International Institute for Strategic Studies . The Military Balance 2014 . 2014 . Routledge . 9781000674217 .
• Book: International Institute for Strategic Studies . International Institute for Strategic Studies . The Military Balance 2024 . 2024 . Routledge . 9781040051153 .

Notes and References

1. News: The Guns of Saddam . Malon . William Scott . Halevy . David H. . Hemingway . Sam . . 10 February 1991 . 1 December 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180827075631/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1991/02/10/the-guns-of-saddam/e31bbb3a-52c3-4f29-bc47-cca57a80b6db/?utm_term=.ee446f3c202f . 27 August 2018.
2. Near East and South Asia Review . . 4 April 1990 . 1 December 2024 . 5.
3. Web site: A general survey of recent artillery developments . Armada International . 1989 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110520141620/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/A+general+survey+of+recent+artillery+developments%3B+refurbishment+is...-a08529007 . 2011-05-20 .
4. Book: Foss . Christopher F. . Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002-2003 . 12 March 2002 . NORINCO 155 mm self-propelled gun (6 × 6) .