PLA Hong Kong Garrison receives new armoured vehicles
The PCP001 vehicles are based on a modified 4×4 Dongfeng EQ2050 vehicle (pictured above) fitted with an 82 mm rapid-deployment automatic mortar system. (Dongfeng Motor Corporation)
The People's Liberation Army's (PLA's) Hong Kong Garrison has received at least 13 new 4×4 armoured vehicles, according to video footage released by Chinese state-owned broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) in early January.
The CCTV footage showed six Dongfeng Mengshi CSK181 armoured vehicles, four PCP001 fire-support vehicles, two Red Arrow 10 launch vehicles, and one support vehicle.
According to the CCTV footage, the inducted CSK181 vehicles feature a protected weapon station equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun. This provides the vehicle with sufficient firepower for self-protection and infantry operations.
The CSK181 is the third generation of the Mengshi family. It weighs 8,000 kg in its heaviest configuration and can include 1,800 kg of payload. The vehicle has a top speed of 120 km/h and a minimum stable speed of 3 km/h.
The PCP001 vehicles – seen fitted with an 82 mm rapid-deployment automatic mortar system in the CCTV footage – are based on a modified 4×4 Dongfeng EQ2050 vehicle.
The PCP001's cyclical rate-of-fire is 170 rounds/minute and it can be deployed at high altitudes or difficult-to-reach locations because of its light weight.
According to Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Armoured Fighting Vehicles, the Red Arrow 10 launch vehicle is an anti-tank system. It is equipped with a turret that is provided with two sets of four launch containers mounted in a 2×2 configuration on either side of the turret.
