Difference between revisions of "PGZ09"

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(Major adjustments, correction of inaccurate info and cleaning up)
(Edits)
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{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
The chassis provides sufficient protection to the crew against small calibre guns and shrapnel from explosions, but due to its nature of being a SPAA, only the front is sufficient to stop HMGs and maybe even some autocannons; while the turret itself struggles with only 8mm of armour. With overpressure damage, the PGZ09 cannot take hits from artillery or high calibre chemical shells. Its tall search radar is very visible and therefore likely to attract fire. if it is hit by anything with explosive filler it will be broken; the shrapnel and blast will also pass down the thin turret roof and damage/destroy components like the targeting radar and crew. Thus you need to be aware of whether the search radar antenna is exposed even when the tank is behind cover.
+
The chassis provides sufficient protection to the crew against small calibre guns and shrapnel from explosions, but due to its nature of being a SPAA, only the hull front is sufficient to stop HMGs and maybe some autocannons; while the turret itself struggles with only 8 mm of armour. With overpressure damage, the PGZ09 cannot take hits from artillery or high calibre chemical shells. Its tall search radar is very visible and therefore likely to attract fire. If it is hit by anything with explosive filler it will be broken; the shrapnel and blast will also pass down the thin turret roof and damage/destroy components like the targeting radar and crew. Thus you need to be aware of whether the search radar antenna is exposed even when the tank is behind cover.
  
 
'''Armour type:'''
 
'''Armour type:'''
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{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
Thanks to the powerful 8V150 engine of almost 800 hp, this turbocharged diesel engine lets the PGZ09 having a satisfying top speed of 65 km/h, a vast improvement over [[WZ305]] and making it one of the fastest tracked SPAAGs along with the [[Gepard]], [[AMX-30 DCA]] and [[VEAK 40]]. It can follow teammates with ease and retreat to a safe position if anything comes at you with its -15 km/h reverse (currently the second fastest among all Chinese vehicles, only falls behind his successor PGZ04A by -2 km/h).
+
Thanks to the powerful 8V150 engine producing almost 800 hp, this turbocharged diesel engine lets the PGZ09 have a satisfying top speed of 65 km/h, a vast improvement over [[WZ305]] and making it one of the fastest tracked SPAAGs along with the [[Gepard]], [[AMX-30 DCA]] and [[VEAK 40]]. It can follow teammates with ease and retreat to a safe position if anything comes at you with its -15 km/h reverse (currently the second fastest among all Chinese vehicles, only falls behind his successor PGZ04A by -2 km/h).
  
 
{{tankMobility}}
 
{{tankMobility}}
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{{main|PG99-35-2 (35 mm)}}
 
{{main|PG99-35-2 (35 mm)}}
  
As a variant of the Swiss Oerlikon GDF-002, it shares the same traits as the [[Oerlikon KDA (35 mm)|Oerlikon KDA]] guns found in other nations' SPAAs - high ROF, velocity, and sufficient penetration to tear down most vehicles from the sides with ease. But due to the internal design of PGZ09, it has lower ammo count than its Western and Japanese counterparts and carriers 40 APDS rounds as emergency anti-armour.
+
As a variant of the Swiss Oerlikon GDF-002, the PG99-35-2 shares the same traits as the [[Oerlikon KDA (35 mm)|Oerlikon KDA]] guns found on other nations' SPAAs - high rate of fire, velocity, and sufficient penetration to tear down most vehicles from the sides with ease. But due to the internal design of PGZ09, it has lower ammo count than its Western and Japanese counterparts and carries only 40 APDS rounds as emergency anti-armour.
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
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==== Ammunition ====
 
==== Ammunition ====
 
 
* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI-T*|High-explosive incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}
 
* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI-T*|High-explosive incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}
 
* '''DKG01A:''' {{Annotation|HEI-T*|High-explosive incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI-T*|High-explosive incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI-T*|High-explosive incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}
 
* '''DKG01A:''' {{Annotation|HEI-T*|High-explosive incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI-T*|High-explosive incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI-T*|High-explosive incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}
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== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
Like its counterparts in NATO and Japan, speed is your friend and the PGZ09 is among the fastest ones, as an SPAA, your first priority should be aircraft and helicopters. At its BR range, few aircraft come with an RWR, so there should no worries on keeping the radar always on. If bought to a higher BR, do not keep your radar on for extended periods of time, as it will give yourself away to aircraft with RWR, so turn it off and only utilize the tracking radar after enemies have been spotted. Keep in mind your subpar ammunition count so trigger-happy firing is not an option.
+
Like its counterparts in NATO and Japan, speed is your friend and the PGZ09 is among the fastest ones, as an SPAA, your first priority should be aircraft and helicopters. At its BR range, few aircraft come with an RWR, so there should no worries on keeping the radar always on. If brought to a higher BR, do not keep your radar on for extended periods of time, as it will give yourself away to aircraft with RWR, so turn it off and only utilize the tracking radar after enemies have been spotted. Keep in mind your subpar ammunition count so trigger-happy firing is not an option.
  
 
The PGZ09 can also be used in an anti-armour role to a certain extent thanks to the good penetration of 35 mm shells, these rounds are lethal to lightly armoured vehicles and the sides of Cold War MBTs, albeit the PGZ09 has the worst gun depression among SPAAs (at a mere -2°), making it struggle in even slightly uneven terrain, so keep some distance from land-based enemies if you're in a gunfight. Additionally, it has only 40 rounds of APDS at disposal so think twice before unleashing them on enemies. Do remember that those 8-10 mm of steel all-around won't help you too much on stopping some higher calibre machine guns, autocannons and anything with explosive fillers.
 
The PGZ09 can also be used in an anti-armour role to a certain extent thanks to the good penetration of 35 mm shells, these rounds are lethal to lightly armoured vehicles and the sides of Cold War MBTs, albeit the PGZ09 has the worst gun depression among SPAAs (at a mere -2°), making it struggle in even slightly uneven terrain, so keep some distance from land-based enemies if you're in a gunfight. Additionally, it has only 40 rounds of APDS at disposal so think twice before unleashing them on enemies. Do remember that those 8-10 mm of steel all-around won't help you too much on stopping some higher calibre machine guns, autocannons and anything with explosive fillers.
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'''Enemies worth noting:'''
 
'''Enemies worth noting:'''
  
*[[SA 313B Alouette II (Germany)|SA 313B]], [[UH-1C]], etc. These early helicopters, despite being small and fragile, can give some nasty bites with their ATGMs. Experienced helicopter pilots tend to hover ~2-4 km away from the frontline firing missiles from afar, and at that distance it is somewhat difficult for the PGZ09 to effectively destroy them. If they are more than 3 km away and are slowly sliding sideways, hold your fire as the accuracy of your shells drop drastically and will be easily evaded, revealing your position. Instead, you should evade the helicopter, track its range with your radar, and once it gets within 3 km consider shooting it (still, remember that the closer the better). Note that with your gunner thermals you can clearly see the helicopter's missile, allowing you to take early action to try to avoid it. 
+
*[[SA 313B Alouette II (Germany)|SA 313B]], [[UH-1C]], etc. These early helicopters, despite being small and fragile, can give some nasty bites with their ATGMs. Experienced helicopter pilots tend to hover ~2-4 km away from the frontline firing missiles from afar, and at that distance it is somewhat difficult for the PGZ09 to effectively destroy them. If they are more than 3 km away and are slowly sliding sideways, hold your fire as the accuracy of your shells drop drastically and will be easily evaded, revealing your position. Instead, you should evade the helicopter, track its range with your radar, and once it gets within 3 km consider shooting it (still, remember that the closer the better). Note that with your gunner thermals you can clearly see the helicopter's missile, allowing you to take early action to try to avoid it.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
* Good Firepower:
+
* Good firepower:
 
** First Chinese SPAA with search and fire control radars, significantly boosting anti-air capabilities
 
** First Chinese SPAA with search and fire control radars, significantly boosting anti-air capabilities
 
** Autocannons are deadly against common aircraft like [[G.91 (Family)|G.91]]
 
** Autocannons are deadly against common aircraft like [[G.91 (Family)|G.91]]
 
** Fast gun targeting speed, can keep up with most targets
 
** Fast gun targeting speed, can keep up with most targets
** Gunner thermal assists fighting in bad weathers
+
** Gunner thermal assists fighting in bad weather
 
** DM23 APDS allows it to fight back against MBTs such as [[XM-1 (GM)|XM-1]]
 
** DM23 APDS allows it to fight back against MBTs such as [[XM-1 (GM)|XM-1]]
 
* Good mobility:
 
* Good mobility:
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'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
* Poor Survivability:
+
* Poor survivability:
 
** Search radar antenna is tall, can expose the location of the PGZ09
 
** Search radar antenna is tall, can expose the location of the PGZ09
 
** Armour is only proof against small calibre machine gun bullets
 
** Armour is only proof against small calibre machine gun bullets
* Poor Weapon Handling:
+
* Poor weapon handling:
 
** Limited DM23 capacity of 40 rounds
 
** Limited DM23 capacity of 40 rounds
 
** Extremely poor gun depression of only -2°, poor in even urban environment let alone hills
 
** Extremely poor gun depression of only -2°, poor in even urban environment let alone hills
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<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
  
During the late 1980s, after attempts to make their own AA guns to replace the obsolete Soviet 37mm, the PLA sought instead to purchase the renowned Swiss Oerlikon 35 mm GDF-002 cannon. In 1987, a deal was made and examples were imported along with the Skyguard system, and in 1990, China got a license for domestic production under the name PG90. When the later arms embargo in the 1990s stopped additional importation, the Chinese made domestic upgrades resulting in the PG99, which is said to be on-par with the GDF-003.
+
During the late 1980s, after attempts to make their own AA guns to replace the obsolete Soviet 37 mm, the PLA sought instead to purchase the renowned Swiss Oerlikon 35 mm GDF-002 cannon. In 1987, a deal was made and examples were imported along with the Skyguard system, and in 1990, China got a license for domestic production under the name PG90. When the later arms embargo in the 1990s stopped additional importation, Chinese-made domestic upgrades resulted in the PG99, which is said to be on-par with the GDF-003.
  
It saw extensive use on defending facilities and as a towed gun. The PLAGF found the need for a new SPAAG to replace the PGZ95 (later the [[PGZ04A]]) for mobile field air-defense, and made good use of the 35 mm cannon with modern electronics.
+
It saw extensive use defending facilities and as a towed gun. The PLAGF found the need for a new SPAAG to replace the PGZ95 (later the [[PGZ04A]]) for mobile field air-defense, and made good use of the 35 mm cannon with modern electronics.
  
 
In 2011, a new type of SPAAG was seen on state television, designated "PGZ07" by observers, little was known about it until the Victory Day parade in 2015 where this SPAAG was officially revealed by the PLA, officially known as the PGZ09. Equipped with the latest doppler search radar and optical-electronic equipment onboard, AHEAD and airburst shells, and the ability to equip 4 surface-to-air missiles, it, along with its predecessor the PGZ04A, serve as the cornerstone of the PLAGF's field air-defense system.
 
In 2011, a new type of SPAAG was seen on state television, designated "PGZ07" by observers, little was known about it until the Victory Day parade in 2015 where this SPAAG was officially revealed by the PLA, officially known as the PGZ09. Equipped with the latest doppler search radar and optical-electronic equipment onboard, AHEAD and airburst shells, and the ability to equip 4 surface-to-air missiles, it, along with its predecessor the PGZ04A, serve as the cornerstone of the PLAGF's field air-defense system.

Revision as of 09:46, 28 June 2021

Rank VII | Premium | Golden Eagles
Challenger DS Pack
PGZ09
cn_pgz_09.png
GarageImage PGZ09.jpg
PGZ09
AB RB SB
8.3 8.3 8.3
Class:
Research:160 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:450 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The HuoPao GaoShe ZiXing 09, nicknamed the "猎手", or Hunter, is a rank VI Chinese SPAA with a battle rating of 8.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Red Skies".

The PGZ09 is a Chinese counterpart to the Flakpanzer Gepard and Type 87 designed to intercept incoming aerial targets such as helicopters, drones, or cruise missiles. With its high off-road speed, advanced electronic system with both search/tracking radar, and a 2nd gen thermal sight, it can prove deadly to both careless aerial and ground targets and provide field air-defence to its allies wherever they are with its mobility.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull12 / 10 / 10
Turret8 / 8 / 8
Crew3 people
Visibility500 %

The chassis provides sufficient protection to the crew against small calibre guns and shrapnel from explosions, but due to its nature of being a SPAA, only the hull front is sufficient to stop HMGs and maybe some autocannons; while the turret itself struggles with only 8 mm of armour. With overpressure damage, the PGZ09 cannot take hits from artillery or high calibre chemical shells. Its tall search radar is very visible and therefore likely to attract fire. If it is hit by anything with explosive filler it will be broken; the shrapnel and blast will also pass down the thin turret roof and damage/destroy components like the targeting radar and crew. Thus you need to be aware of whether the search radar antenna is exposed even when the tank is behind cover.

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 10 mm Upper front (74°)
12 mm Lower front(25°)
8 mm Top
10 mm Bottom
10 mm 8 mm
Turret 8 mm 8 mm 8 mm 8 mm
Cupola N/A

Notes:

  • Tracks are 20 mm thick
  • Mudguard and side skirts are 5 mm of structural steel
  • Tracking radar is 15 mm of structural steel
  • Suspension is 20 mm of structural steel

Mobility

 
Controlled suspension
It is possible to adjust the ground clearance or more complex suspension positions
Speedforward / back
AB71 / 17 km/h
RB and SB66 / 16 km/h
Number of gears6 forward
2 back
Weight38.0 t
Engine power
AB1 526 hp
RB and SB800 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB40.2 hp/t
RB and SB21.1 hp/t

Thanks to the powerful 8V150 engine producing almost 800 hp, this turbocharged diesel engine lets the PGZ09 have a satisfying top speed of 65 km/h, a vast improvement over WZ305 and making it one of the fastest tracked SPAAGs along with the Gepard, AMX-30 DCA and VEAK 40. It can follow teammates with ease and retreat to a safe position if anything comes at you with its -15 km/h reverse (currently the second fastest among all Chinese vehicles, only falls behind his successor PGZ04A by -2 km/h).

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 71 17 38 _,___ 1,526 __.__ 40.16
Realistic 66 16 _,___ 800 __.__ 21.05

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB4 568 → 6 797 Sl icon.png
RB3 894 → 5 794 Sl icon.png
SB4 732 → 7 041 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications132 300 Rp icon.png
220 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 400 Ge icon.png
Crew training130 000 Sl icon.png
Experts450 000 Sl icon.png
Aces2 000 Ge icon.png
Research Aces890 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
150 / 190 / 230 % Sl icon.png
214 / 214 / 214 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
7 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
6 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
6 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
8 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
460 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
6 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
6 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
2 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
1 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement cn.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
8 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
460 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
6 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
7 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
35mm_kda_HE_ammo_pack
Research:
7 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
35mm_kda_APHEI_ammo_pack
Research:
6 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
6 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
8 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
460 Ge icon.png
Mods thermal sight.png
NVD
Research:
8 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
460 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
35mm_kda_APDS_ammo_pack
Research:
6 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
6 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods tank laser rangefinder.png
Laser rangefinder
Research:
6 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
35mm_kda_AHEAD_ammo_pack
Research:
6 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Laser rangefinder
Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder
Night vision device
Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.
Thermal imager
Allows to see thermal radiation in the infrared range day and night

Main armament

2 x 35 mm PG99-35-2 cannon
Two-plane stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving
Ammunition480 rounds
Belt capacity220 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
1.3 → 1.0 s
Fire rate550 shots/min
Vertical guidance-2° / 85°
Main article: PG99-35-2 (35 mm)

As a variant of the Swiss Oerlikon GDF-002, the PG99-35-2 shares the same traits as the Oerlikon KDA guns found on other nations' SPAAs - high rate of fire, velocity, and sufficient penetration to tear down most vehicles from the sides with ease. But due to the internal design of PGZ09, it has lower ammo count than its Western and Japanese counterparts and carries only 40 APDS rounds as emergency anti-armour.

35 mm PG99-35-2 (x2) Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 440 (200) 550 -2°/+85° ±180° Two-plane 79.3 109.7 133.2 147.3 156.7 1.30 1.15 1.06 1.00
Realistic 53.5 63.0 76.5 84.6 90.0

Ammunition

  • Default: API-T · HEI-T*
  • DKG01A: HEI-T* · HEI-T* · HEI-T* · API-T
  • DKP01A: API-T · API-T · API-T · HEI-T*
  • DM23: APDS · APDS · APDS · APDS
Penetration statistics
Belt Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Default 68 65 52 40 30 23
DKG01A 68 65 52 40 30 23
DKP01A 68 65 52 40 30 23
DM23 127 125 119 111 104 97

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the PGZ09
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
4 (+2) No
  • Ammo racks disappear after 40 rounds of either belt have been fired.

Usage in battles

Like its counterparts in NATO and Japan, speed is your friend and the PGZ09 is among the fastest ones, as an SPAA, your first priority should be aircraft and helicopters. At its BR range, few aircraft come with an RWR, so there should no worries on keeping the radar always on. If brought to a higher BR, do not keep your radar on for extended periods of time, as it will give yourself away to aircraft with RWR, so turn it off and only utilize the tracking radar after enemies have been spotted. Keep in mind your subpar ammunition count so trigger-happy firing is not an option.

The PGZ09 can also be used in an anti-armour role to a certain extent thanks to the good penetration of 35 mm shells, these rounds are lethal to lightly armoured vehicles and the sides of Cold War MBTs, albeit the PGZ09 has the worst gun depression among SPAAs (at a mere -2°), making it struggle in even slightly uneven terrain, so keep some distance from land-based enemies if you're in a gunfight. Additionally, it has only 40 rounds of APDS at disposal so think twice before unleashing them on enemies. Do remember that those 8-10 mm of steel all-around won't help you too much on stopping some higher calibre machine guns, autocannons and anything with explosive fillers.

Enemies worth noting:

  • SA 313B, UH-1C, etc. These early helicopters, despite being small and fragile, can give some nasty bites with their ATGMs. Experienced helicopter pilots tend to hover ~2-4 km away from the frontline firing missiles from afar, and at that distance it is somewhat difficult for the PGZ09 to effectively destroy them. If they are more than 3 km away and are slowly sliding sideways, hold your fire as the accuracy of your shells drop drastically and will be easily evaded, revealing your position. Instead, you should evade the helicopter, track its range with your radar, and once it gets within 3 km consider shooting it (still, remember that the closer the better). Note that with your gunner thermals you can clearly see the helicopter's missile, allowing you to take early action to try to avoid it.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good firepower:
    • First Chinese SPAA with search and fire control radars, significantly boosting anti-air capabilities
    • Autocannons are deadly against common aircraft like G.91
    • Fast gun targeting speed, can keep up with most targets
    • Gunner thermal assists fighting in bad weather
    • DM23 APDS allows it to fight back against MBTs such as XM-1
  • Good mobility:
    • High speed, one of the fastest SPAAs in the game
    • Adequate reverse speed of -15 km/h
  • 2 salvos of smoke grenades can help conceal the vehicle for repositioning

Cons:

  • Poor survivability:
    • Search radar antenna is tall, can expose the location of the PGZ09
    • Armour is only proof against small calibre machine gun bullets
  • Poor weapon handling:
    • Limited DM23 capacity of 40 rounds
    • Extremely poor gun depression of only -2°, poor in even urban environment let alone hills
    • Gun placement makes close-range aiming quite awkward

History

During the late 1980s, after attempts to make their own AA guns to replace the obsolete Soviet 37 mm, the PLA sought instead to purchase the renowned Swiss Oerlikon 35 mm GDF-002 cannon. In 1987, a deal was made and examples were imported along with the Skyguard system, and in 1990, China got a license for domestic production under the name PG90. When the later arms embargo in the 1990s stopped additional importation, Chinese-made domestic upgrades resulted in the PG99, which is said to be on-par with the GDF-003.

It saw extensive use defending facilities and as a towed gun. The PLAGF found the need for a new SPAAG to replace the PGZ95 (later the PGZ04A) for mobile field air-defense, and made good use of the 35 mm cannon with modern electronics.

In 2011, a new type of SPAAG was seen on state television, designated "PGZ07" by observers, little was known about it until the Victory Day parade in 2015 where this SPAAG was officially revealed by the PLA, officially known as the PGZ09. Equipped with the latest doppler search radar and optical-electronic equipment onboard, AHEAD and airburst shells, and the ability to equip 4 surface-to-air missiles, it, along with its predecessor the PGZ04A, serve as the cornerstone of the PLAGF's field air-defense system.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Similar SPAAs also armed with the 35mm Oerlikon:

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


China anti-aircraft vehicles
Radar SPAAG  PGZ09
Gun and Missile SPAAG  PGZ04A
Missile SPAA  Antelope
Other  ZSD63/PG87 · ZSL92 · WZ305
Germany  ␗Sd.Kfz.222
North Vietnam  Phòng không T-34
USA  CCKW 353 (M45) · ␗M42
USSR  Tor-M1