The PLL-01 , also known as the WAC-021 , is a type of 155 mm howitzer designed by Gerald Bull and built by Chinese defense manufacturer Norinco .
51-714: In the 1980s, the Chinese military industry acquired the license to produce GHN-45 howitzer from Noricum , a subsidiary of the Austrian company Voest-Alpine , who developed CHN-45 based on the design of the GC-45 howitzer . GHN-45 (Gun, Howitzer, Noricum) featured several improvements to the original GC-45, such as better ammunition and fire control systems. Due to the design improvement, GHN-45 had considerably longer ranges than other 155 mm cannon systems used by NATO and Western countries. This capability initially caused worry for allied forces in
102-482: A hacker brigade for the purpose of fomenting unrest in Iran. It has also been reported in early 2010 that two new garrisons for cyberwarfare have been established at Zanjan and Isfahan . As of 2024, Iran's cyber activities have become more sophisticated, engaging in a persistent cyber struggle with Israel that focuses on espionage, information warfare, and attempts to target critical infrastructure, although Israel maintains
153-449: A technological edge. Iran's 2021 defense budget was estimated to be $ 25.0 billion by IISS . Under the last Shah of Iran , Mohammad Reza Pahlavi , Iran's military industry was limited to assembly of foreign weapons. In the assembly lines that were put up by American firms, such as Bell , Litton and Northrop , Iranian workers put together a variety of helicopters, aircraft, guided missiles, electronic components and tanks. In 1973,
204-701: A works in Liezen; this was for the war effort and was not intended to be a post-war commercial business. By 1944, 1100 people were working at the plant. In May 1945, the American Allied army had reached Liezen and the plant was closed. In 1945 the facilities included a steelworks and foundry building of over 10,000 m (110,000 sq ft) and another building of over 7,500 m (81,000 sq ft) with metal treatment (cleaning, annealing etc.) and mechanical engineering facilities, as well as various outbuildings, offices and power generation facilities. The plant
255-500: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Maschinenfabrik Liezen und Gie%C3%9Ferei 47°33′51″N 14°15′04″E / 47.5642°N 14.2512°E / 47.5642; 14.2512 Maschinenfabrik Liezen und Gießerei GesmbH is a foundry and mechanical engineering company based in Liezen , Austria. The company's origins date to 1939 when a factory was established in Liezen for war materials production. Post WWII
306-457: Is also producing its own submarines. In recent years, official announcements have highlighted the development of weapons such as the Fajr-3 (MIRV) , Hoot , Kowsar , Fateh-110 , Shahab-3 missile systems and a variety of unmanned aerial vehicles , at least one of which Israel claims has been used to spy on its territory. On November 2, 2012, Iran's Brigadier General Hassan Seifi reported that
357-509: Is an internationally hot political topic over which it has consistently refused to negotiate. Iranian authorities state that the country's missile program is not designed to deliver nuclear payloads , but used only for surgical strikes , and is therefore not relevant to any nuclear negotiations with the P5+1 . The Iranian drone program has also raised concerns across the Middle East and much of
408-459: Is the onboard auxiliary power unit (APU), which provides power to the hydraulics and the wheels, permitting the self-deployment and autonomous movement of the howitzer. For the earliest version, PLL-01 and WAC-021, the APU consists of an air-cooled diesel engine, developing 77 hp. It is mounted on the carriage, powring the emplacement and displacement of the howitzer. In an emergency, a single crew can jack
459-526: Is today known as the Iranian military industry . Under their command, Iran's military industry was enormously expanded, and with the Ministry of Defense pouring investment into the missile industry, Iran soon accumulated a vast arsenal of missiles . Since 1992, it has also produced its own tanks , armored personnel carriers , radar systems , guided missiles , marines , military vessels and fighter planes . Iran
510-399: Is used by People's Liberation Army Ground Force and by the Iranian army as towed artillery . 50 to 150 such howitzer was built. The PLZ-45 self-propelled howitzer was sold to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Algeria. It is also used by Iraq. This article related to the military of China is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article related to the Iranian armed forces
561-567: The Biological Weapons Convention in 1973. Iran has advanced biological and genetic engineering research programs supporting an industry that produces vaccines for both domestic use and export. In 2013, Iran was reported to supply money, equipment, technological expertise and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to the Syrian government and Hezbollah during the Syrian civil war , and to
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#1732883877071612-496: The Iran Electronics Industries (IEI) was established. The company was set up in a first attempt to organize the assembly and repair of foreign-delivered weapons. The Iranian Defense Industries Organization was the first to succeed in taking a step into what could be called a military industry by reverse engineering Soviet RPG-7 , BM-21 , and SAM-7 missiles in 1979. Nevertheless, most of Iran's weapons before
663-650: The Iranian Constitution , the establishment of any foreign military base in the country is forbidden, even for peaceful purposes. On 4 December 2011, an American RQ-170 Sentinel unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was captured by Iranian forces near the city of Kashmar in northeastern Iran . In 2012, it was announced that Iran's Quds Force is operating inside Syria providing the government of Bashar al-Assad with intelligence and direction against rebel opposition. In December 2012, Iran stated it had captured an American ScanEagle UAV that violated its airspace over
714-740: The Iranian Gendarmerie , was merged with the National Police ( Shahrbani ) and Islamic Revolution Committees in 1990. In 1991, the Iranian armed forces received a number of Iraqi military aircraft being evacuated from the Persian Gulf War of that year; most of which were incorporated into the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force. From 2003, there have been repeated US and British allegations that Iranian forces have been covertly involved in
765-649: The Iran–Contra affair . At first, deliveries came via Israel and later, from the US. The Iranian government established a five-year rearmament program in 1989 to replace worn-out weaponry from the Iran–Iraq War. Between 1989 and 1992, Iran spent $ 10 billion on arms, some of which were designed to prevent other states' naval vessels from accessing the sea, including marines and long-range Soviet planes capable of attacking aircraft carriers. A former military-associated police force,
816-599: The Iraq War . In 2004, Iranian armed forces took Royal Navy personnel prisoner , on the Shatt al-Arab (Arvand Rud in Persian) river, between Iran and Iraq. They were released three days later following diplomatic discussions between the UK and Iran. In 2007, Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces also took prisoner Royal Navy personnel when a boarding party from HMS Cornwall was seized in
867-753: The Islamic revolution were imported from the United States and Europe. Between 1971 and 1975, the Shah went on a buying spree, ordering $ 8 billion in weapons from the United States alone. This alarmed the United States Congress , which strengthened a 1968 law on arms exports in 1976 and renamed it the Arms Export Control Act. Still, the United States continued to sell large amounts of weapons to Iran until
918-581: The Persian Gulf War . The designer Gerald Bull was contacted by China to develop his work for them, which he agreed. China also purchased extended-range ammunition technology from him. The Chinese production designation of the GHN-45 is WAC-021 and PLL-01, which entered service in 1987. China continue to acquire and develop other technologies for the PLL-01, such as precision guided projectiles GP1. China also mounted
969-1033: The Syrian Civil War as well as by the Houthi movement during the Yemeni Civil War , mostly against Saudi targets. Some time after the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 , the U.S reported that Iran was supplying Russia with military drones. Iran later confirmed the reports, though it denied the drones were meant to be used in the Ukraine war, and added that China was on the list of countries looking to import Iranian drones. On November 2, 2006, Iran fired unarmed missiles to begin 10 days of military simulations . Iranian state television reported "dozens of missiles were fired including Shahab-2 and Shahab-3 missiles. The missiles had ranges from 300 km to up to 2,000 km. Iranian experts have made some changes to Shahab-3 missiles installing cluster warheads in them with
1020-466: The United States and other countries of the Western Bloc . Later on, Iran began establishing its own armaments industry; its efforts in this remained largely unrecognized internationally, until recently. Following the Iranian revolution in 1979, deteriorating relations with the U.S. resulted in international sanctions led by the US, including an arms embargo being imposed on Iran. Revolutionary Iran
1071-499: The 1979 Islamic Revolution . After the Islamic revolution, Iran found itself severely isolated and lacking technological expertise. Because of economic sanctions and a weapons embargo put on Iran by the United States , it was forced to rely on its domestic arms industry for weapons and spare parts, since there were very few countries willing to do business with Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards were put in charge of creating what
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#17328838770711122-518: The 1980-88 Iran–Iraq War. Even today, more than twenty-four years after the end of the Iran–Iraq War, about 30,000 Iranians are still suffering and dying from the effects of chemical weapons employed by Iraq during the war. The need to manage the treatment of such a large number of casualties has placed Iran's medical specialists in the forefront of the development of effective treatment regimens for chemical weapons victims, and particularly for those suffering from exposure to mustard gas . Iran ratified
1173-796: The Iranian Army had achieved self-suffiency in producing military equipment, and that the abilities of Iranian scientists have enabled the country to make significant progress in this field. He was quoted saying, "Unlike Western countries which hide their new weapons and munitions from all, the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army is not afraid of displaying its latest military achievements and all countries must become aware of Iran's progress in producing weaponry." Iran has produced several unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) , which can be used for reconnaissance and combat operations. Iran has also claimed to have downed, captured and later reverse-engineered US and Israeli drones. Iranian drones have seen extensive combat during
1224-830: The Islamic Republic of Iran The Iranian Armed Forces , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces , are the combined military forces of Iran , comprising the Islamic Republic of Iran Army ( Artesh ), the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( Sepah ) and the Law Enforcement Command ( Faraja ). Iranian Armed Forces are the largest in the Middle East in terms of active troops. Iran's military forces are made up of approximately 610,000 active-duty personnel plus 350,000 reserve and trained personnel that can be mobilized when needed, bringing
1275-569: The Middle East had assessed that Iran's missile forces, by far the largest and most diverse in the Middle East, have already achieved overmatch against their adversaries in the region. Iran started a major campaign to produce and stockpile chemical weapons after a truce was agreed with Iraq after 1980-88 Iran–Iraq War . However, Iran ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1997. Iranian troops and civilians suffered tens of thousands of casualties from Iraqi chemical weapons during
1326-687: The PLL-01 onto an indigenous-designed tracked chassis, resulting in the PLZ-45 (also known as the Type 88) and an ammo-carrier based on the same chassis. The PLZ-45 did not enter service with the People's Liberation Army Ground Force because China still used the doctrine developed for the Soviet-standard 152 mm ammunition at the time. However, two major batches of PLZ-45s were sold to Kuwaiti in 1997 and to Saudi Arabia in 2008. The weapon system has many names. W88/890
1377-510: The Persian Gulf. Iran later stated it had also captured two other ScanEagles. In November 2015, Iranian special forces assisted in the rescue of a Russian pilot that was shot down by Turkey, over Syria. In April 2016, Iran sent advisors from the 65th Airborne Special Forces Brigade to Syria in support of the government. In 2016, Revolutionary Guard forces captured US Navy personnel when their boats entered Iranian territorial waters off
1428-646: The US retaliated for the Iranian mining of the USS ; Samuel B. Roberts in Operation Praying Mantis . Simultaneously, the Iranian armed forces had to learn to maintain and keep operational, their large stocks of US-built equipment and weaponry, without outside help, due to the American-led sanctions. However, Iran was able to obtain limited amounts of American-made armaments, when it was able to buy American spare parts and weaponry for its armed forces, during
1479-502: The Western world, especially with proliferation among Iranian-allied forces in the Middle East, as well as exports to countries hostile to the U.S. According to U.S. Central Command chief Gen. Kenneth McKenzie , the U.S is "for the first time since the Korean War operating without complete air superiority" due to threats posed by Iranian drones. All branches of the armed forces fall under
1530-505: The advancement of a satellite launcher named IRIS . Iran also dedicated underground ballistic missile bases and silos . Older generation platforms, like the Shahab family , are slowly being phased out of service and replaced by newer generation ballistic missiles that emphasise accuracy and manoeuvrability over longer range, such as the Fateh and Sejjil families. By 2020, the U.S military command in
1581-463: The capacity to carry 1,400 bombs." These launches came after some United States -led military exercises in the Persian Gulf on October 30, 2006, meant to train for blocking the transport of weapons of mass destruction . Iran is also believed to have started the development of an ICBM/IRBM missile project, known as Ghadr-110 with a range of 3000 km; the program is believed to be a parallel of
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1632-448: The coast of Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf. They were released the next day following diplomatic discussions between the US and Iran. In March 2021 state TV in Iran showed footage of a "missile city" armed with ballistic and cruise weapons described as "a new Revolutionary Guard base" along the Gulf coast. In March 2023, Iran is in the process of allowing women to enlist in the military for
1683-576: The command of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces . The Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics is responsible for planning logistics and funding of the armed forces and is not involved with in-the-field military operational command. The commander-in-chief of the armed forces is the Supreme Leader . After the coup in 1953 , Iran began purchasing some weapons from Israel ,
1734-414: The company " Hütte Liezen " entered state control and became a subsidiary to VÖEST in the 1950s. During the 1980s the company was involved in the 'Noricom' arms scandal due to its production of heavy artillery which were illegally exported. After independence from VOEST in the 1980s and bankruptcy in the 1990s the company was restarted as Maschinenfabrik Liezen und Gießerei Ges.m.b.H. in 1994. As of 2012
1785-594: The company became an independent entity as Maschinenfabrik Liezen AG , and was sold for the token sum of 1 Schilling to industrialist Emmerich Assmann. The Assmann group became bankrupt in 1993 and after a brief interim ownership by 1994 the Maschinenfabrik Liezen was itself insolvent and was eventually sold to the Haider Group. After insolvency proceedings the company was restarted as Maschinenfabrik Liezen und Gießerei Ges.m.b.H. on 5 December 1994. In 1996
1836-448: The company has extensive mechanical engineering facilities and foundry, and manufactures industrial milling and sawing machines. Several associate companies acquired after 1994 manufacture mineral processing equipment. Iron ore deposits close to Liezen had been known to exist since the 1200s; mining and smelting took place in the Liezen area till the end of the 19th century. In 1939, the family of industrialists Schmid-Schmidsfelden created
1887-627: The country's military hardware is domestically manufactured, and the country had already become an exporter of arms by the 2000s. Unable to import weapon systems from abroad due to international and U.S. sanctions , and suffering from an increasingly aging air force fleet, Iran has invested considerable funds into an ambitious ballistic and cruise missile program for mid-range strike capability, and has manufactured different types of arms and munitions, including tanks , armoured vehicles and drones , as well as various naval assets and aerial defense systems. Iran's ballistic missile and space program
1938-563: The country's military manpower to about 960,000 total personnel. These numbers do not include Law Enforcement Command or Basij . Most of Iran's imported weapons consist of American systems purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution , with limited purchases from Russia in the 1990s following the Iran–Iraq War . However, the country has since then launched a robust domestic rearmament program, and its inventory has become increasingly indigenous . According to Iranian officials, most of
1989-549: The first time since the White Revolution . It has been reported that Iran is one of the five countries that has a cyber-army capable of conducting cyber-warfare operations. It has also been reported that Iran has immensely increased its cyberwarfare capability since the post presidential election un-rest. Furthermore, China has accused the United States of having initiated a cyber war against Iran through websites such as Twitter and YouTube in addition to employing
2040-441: The gun with the APU power in 90 seconds. The APU also allows the howitzer to move autonomously for 18 km/h. The maximum range for auto-propulsion is 100 km. Typically, the howitzer is towed by a 6x6 military truck, which carries the crew and ammunition. When towed, the highest permitted speed is 90 km/h. The export AH-1 has an improved APU with 110hp and increased auto-propulsion speed of 20 km/h. The weapon system
2091-471: The mineral processing company (grinding mills and components) Christian Pfeifer Maschinenfabrik was taken over. In 2004 the company MFL Faserzementanlagen Ges.m.b.H. ( Fibre cement manufacturing equipment manufacturer) was formed from the assets of VOITH-FCM; Maschinenfabrik Liezen and ICS - Automation of Switzerland are backers of the company. In August 2011 the mineral processing (crushing/sorting etc.) company SBM Mineral Processing GmbH of Laakirchen
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2142-471: The plant had manufactured the GC-45 howitzer , which was then exported to Iraq and Iran via proxies (at the time of the Iran-Iraq war ) - this was in violation of Austria's own arms treaties, and arms export treaties. It ultimately led to the trial and convictions of government officials and politicians for violations of Austria's neutrality act, in addition to others convicted of arms dealing. In October 1989
2193-494: The rifling depths found on comparable Western 155 mm designs. The weapon also accepts locally made Chinese ammunitions and NATO -compatible ammunitions. The howitzer can fire a variety of ammunition. The standard ammunition is the Extended Range, Full Bore (EFRB), offering a much longer range than contemporary howitzer ammunition due to improved aerodynamics. The maximum range for EFRB is 30 km (19 mi), longer than
2244-527: The standard M107 L39 155mm, which is rated at 24 km (15 mi). The Extended Range, Full Bore, Base Bleed (EFRB-BB) is rated at 39 km (24 mi). And the rocket-assisted munition (ERFB-BB-RA) is rated at 50 km (31 mi), much longer than regular 155mm rocket-assisted munition rated at 30 km (19 mi). The ammo type fired included high-explosive (HE), high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG), illumination, smoke, white phosphorus , and cargo rounds. One unique feature of PLL-01 and WAC-021
2295-439: The two systems are compatible in the choice of ordnance. The NORINCO Type WAC-021 has an auto-frettaged barrel 45 calibers long, fitted with a multi-baffle muzzle brake, which has an efficiency of 30 percent. A screw-type breech mechanism opening to the right is employed, and the chamber volume is 22.95 liters. The rifling employs 48 grooves with a twist of 1 in 20 calibers, and the grooves are understood to be three times deeper than
2346-501: The waters between Iran and Iraq, in the Persian Gulf. They were released thirteen days later. According to Juan Cole , Iran has never launched an "aggressive war" in modern history, and its leadership adheres to a doctrine of "no first strike ". The country's military budget is the lowest per capita in the Persian Gulf region besides the UAE . Since 1979, there have been no foreign military bases present in Iran. According to Article 146 of
2397-465: The workforce was approximately 1300. When VÖEST became VÖEST-Alpine in 1973, the factory became VÖEST-Alpine AG-Werk Liezen . Around that time, the plant's equipment was modernised at a cost of approximately Schilling 350 million. In 1986 the company was renamed Noricum Maschinenbau und Handels-GmbH ; During this period it became the centre of arms-export scandal - the Noricum Scandal ;
2448-536: Was likely the internal industrial designation. Type 89 is possibly a temporary designation for PLAGF , while PLL-01 is the official designation in PLA. An earlier export designation, or possibly prototype name, is WA-021 or WAC-21, with one of the names being corrupted. The update export name marketed by Norinco is AH-1. The PLL-01/WAC-021 is a license-produced variant of the Austrian NORICUM GHN-45 howitzer. Thus,
2499-453: Was nationalised in 1946, becoming Hütte Liezen GesmbH , with a workforce reduced to 350. By the 1950s, employment had risen to nearly 1000 workers; in 1953 due to a difficult economic environment the plant was transferred under lease to the care of VÖEST of Linz for 15 years - the plant's name became VÖEST-Liezen - production synergies between the two plants were optimised - with the Liezen works receiving steel from VÖEST's Linz plant. In 1963,
2550-593: Was taken by surprise by the Iraqi invasion that began the Iran–Iraq War of 1980–1988. During this conflict, there were several conflicts against the United States. From 1987, the United States Central Command sought to stop Iranian mine-laying vessels from blocking the international sea lanes through the Persian Gulf in Operation Prime Chance . The operation lasted until 1989. On April 18, 1988,
2601-716: Was taken over by MFL's owner 'Group Haider' (Heinrich Obernhuber / Krünes Consulting GmbH.) becoming an associate company of the MFL group. A rail milling and grinding joint venture Vossloh MFL Rail Milling GmbH , was formed in association with Vossloh AG in 2012. The company manufactures machines for mineral processing including crushing and sorting equipment (in addition to products by associates 'Christian Pfeifer Maschinenfabrik' and 'SBM Mineral Processing'), industrial saws and milling machines, and cable stranding machines (through MFL group associate MALI GesmbH ). . The foundry also produces iron and alloy castings. Armed Forces of
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