I run the risk of looking foolish--I may have completly overlooked evidence of modern, self-loading PLA truck classes. But, just in case I haven't...where are they?
China has many truck makers today. They have learned the art of building modern heavy-duty trucks and are beginning to make their mark in the large truck export market.
That being the case, Where are the equivilant fourth-generation load carriers in current PLA photos and videas?
I have seen the very large and impressive Taian TA-series 12x12 monsters. They don't seem to include a PLS-equipped version, or even a model equipped with an onboard folding cargo crane to match those placed in service by Iveco/Astra, MAN or Oshkosh, etc...
Dongfeng has done an excellant job of building and marketinf a Sinocised Humvee, the EQ2050 'Armour'. That's good, a modern all-terrain multirole vehicle that the PLA has needed for years. For that matter, the updated, (with the help of Chrysler), BJ2022 jeep also looks set to fill an important niche in the new mobile units. The Iveco 4x4 light truck and 4x4 van have proven to be competant, dependable and adaptable to multiple roles.
Where, though, are the new generation 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 tactical trucks to match the western market trend setters? (Oshkosh, MAN, Iveco/Astra and Tatra all come to mind.)
Where are the self-loading heavy trucks, the palletized load/container carriers? (Yes, I've seen the photo of a Shaanqi PLS truck groaning under the weight of an ISO container. It's obviously not going to be able to lug that thing up and down the dirt roads of the outland provinces.)
Shaanqi Motors have, in fact, been improving the SX2110/2150/2190/2300 series of tactical trucks for over twenty years...and I have seen a few photos of a new generation cab on some of those trucks. Are they coming into the fleet? Are they equipped with indiginous systems instead of relying on 20-year old Austrian, (Steyr), technology? I have read that Shaanqi has entered into a licensing agrrement with MAN of Germany, the premier military truck builder in the world. Will the relationship include military truck terchnolagy?
Or have I missed an entire generation of modern, heavy trucks?
Does anyone have any photos/specs of anything more impressive than North-Benz and Tiema's 20-year old Mercedes Benz copies?
Is Dongfeng, Wanshan, Faw or anyone else coming out with a truly military, truly offroad truck line?
Just wondering.
Ben James
Oklahoma, USA
China has many truck makers today. They have learned the art of building modern heavy-duty trucks and are beginning to make their mark in the large truck export market.
That being the case, Where are the equivilant fourth-generation load carriers in current PLA photos and videas?
I have seen the very large and impressive Taian TA-series 12x12 monsters. They don't seem to include a PLS-equipped version, or even a model equipped with an onboard folding cargo crane to match those placed in service by Iveco/Astra, MAN or Oshkosh, etc...
Dongfeng has done an excellant job of building and marketinf a Sinocised Humvee, the EQ2050 'Armour'. That's good, a modern all-terrain multirole vehicle that the PLA has needed for years. For that matter, the updated, (with the help of Chrysler), BJ2022 jeep also looks set to fill an important niche in the new mobile units. The Iveco 4x4 light truck and 4x4 van have proven to be competant, dependable and adaptable to multiple roles.
Where, though, are the new generation 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 tactical trucks to match the western market trend setters? (Oshkosh, MAN, Iveco/Astra and Tatra all come to mind.)
Where are the self-loading heavy trucks, the palletized load/container carriers? (Yes, I've seen the photo of a Shaanqi PLS truck groaning under the weight of an ISO container. It's obviously not going to be able to lug that thing up and down the dirt roads of the outland provinces.)
Shaanqi Motors have, in fact, been improving the SX2110/2150/2190/2300 series of tactical trucks for over twenty years...and I have seen a few photos of a new generation cab on some of those trucks. Are they coming into the fleet? Are they equipped with indiginous systems instead of relying on 20-year old Austrian, (Steyr), technology? I have read that Shaanqi has entered into a licensing agrrement with MAN of Germany, the premier military truck builder in the world. Will the relationship include military truck terchnolagy?
Or have I missed an entire generation of modern, heavy trucks?
Does anyone have any photos/specs of anything more impressive than North-Benz and Tiema's 20-year old Mercedes Benz copies?
Is Dongfeng, Wanshan, Faw or anyone else coming out with a truly military, truly offroad truck line?
Just wondering.
Ben James
Oklahoma, USA