PGZ-09, SPAAG, China, Rank VI

Pros

• Devastating 35mm cannons
• Radar

Cons

• Low ammo count  

In War Thunder, the PGZ-09 will be a new SPAAG unit arriving in the top ranks of the Chinese ground forces tree with the release of the major update. Equipped with domestic versions of the familiar 35 mm Oerlikon KDA cannons and a radar system, the PGZ-09 is set to expand the Chinese SPAA line into the modern era!

As already mentioned, the PGZ-09 comes fitted with a pair of PG99-35-2 35 mm cannons which are in essence domestic versions of the well-known Oerlikon KDA cannons tankers are already most familiar with from vehicles such as the German Gepard or British Chieftain Marksman. Known for their excellent ballistic properties and high rate of fire, the PG99-35-2 cannons can even do serious damage to some armored vehicles with the appropriate ammunition loaded yet alone to fragile aerial targets, especially considering that the vehicle has access to a sophisticated radar detection and targeting system. It is worth mentioning that the vehicle has very limited acces to AP rounds - only 20 per gun.

The PGZ-09 comes equipped with an 800 horsepower diesel engine, allowing the vehicle to reach a respectable top speed of 65 km/h while driving on roads. Thanks to the powerful engine and a medium combat weight of 38 tons, the PGZ-09 possesses a good power-to-weight ratio of 22.8 hp/t which in turn allows it to confidently traverse even some less hospitable terrain without fear of getting bogged down too much.

However, despite being a very mobile and formidable adversary against aircraft, the PGZ-09 doesn’t particularly stand out when it comes to the protection it offers for its crew. As a result, the PGZ-09 is vulnerable even to heavy machine gun fire at close ranges while autocannons, or even more powerful weapons will have no trouble going through the thin armor of the PGZ-09 at range. Therefore, aspiring commanders of this machine are well advised to stay behind the frontline and focus on keeping the skies clear of enemy air vehicles for their more heavily armored comrades further up the line.

The PGZ-09 will be arriving in War Thunder as part of the “Red Skies” major update and will be available for research to all tankers as a new Chinese rank VI SPAA unit. Be sure to stay tuned to the news to find out more about what the upcoming update has in store for you. Until then, happy hunting tankers!

The War Thunder Team