Chinese 130mm HE Projectile

1. Overview

The Chinese 130mm high-explosive (HE) fragmentation projectile is designed for the Type 59 towed field gun — China’s licensed copy of the Soviet M-46 130mm field gun. This spin-stabilized, separate-loading projectile delivers blast and fragmentation effects against personnel, field fortifications, artillery positions, and light vehicles at extended ranges. The Type 59 gun system and its ammunition have been one of the most significant Chinese artillery exports, seeing widespread service across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Chinese 130mm HE projectiles are functionally equivalent to their Soviet OF-43/OF-44 counterparts and are ballistically compatible with the original M-46 gun.

2. Country/Bloc of Origin

  • Country of Origin: People’s Republic of China
  • Manufacturer: NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) and associated state ordnance factories
  • Time Period: Production began in 1959, concurrent with the Type 59 gun; continues to the present day with improved variants
  • Origin Context: China received the M-46 gun technology from the Soviet Union in the mid-1950s as part of Khrushchev-era military technical assistance. Chinese Factory No. 127 produced the first batch of 130mm guns in August 1959, officially finalizing the design as the Type 59

3. Ordnance Class

  • Type: Artillery projectile (high-explosive fragmentation)
  • Primary Role: Anti-personnel, destruction of field fortifications, counter-battery fire, suppression of enemy positions, and engagement of light vehicles
  • Delivery Method: Artillery-delivered; fired from the Type 59 130mm field gun, Type 59-1 (lightweight variant), and derivative platforms including the 130mm self-propelled gun
  • Classification: Separate-loading, spin-stabilized HE fragmentation projectile

4. Ordnance Family / Nomenclature

  • Caliber: 130mm
  • Type Classification: HE Fragmentation
  • Compatible Weapons:
    • Type 59 — Chinese licensed copy of the Soviet M-46
    • Type 59-1 — Lightweight variant using the Type 60 (D-74) carriage, approximately 1.4 tons lighter
    • GM-45 — Export version
    • 130mm Self-Propelled Gun — Type 59 gun mounted on Type 83 SPH chassis
    • Soviet M-46 — Original weapon; Chinese ammunition is compatible
  • Related Soviet Ammunition:
    • OF-43 — Soviet 130mm HE-Frag projectile (range: 27,500m)
    • OF-44 — Soviet 130mm HE-Frag projectile (range: 22,500m)
    • OF-482M — Soviet 130mm HE-Frag projectile
  • Extended Range Variants:
    • MP-130 RAP — Rocket-assisted projectile, 33.4 kg, range: 34,360m
    • ERFB HE — Extended Range Full Bore HE, 32.7 kg
    • ERFB-BB — Extended Range Full Bore with Base Bleed, range up to 38,000–44,000m
  • Chinese 130mm ammunition production includes a full range of projectile types: HE, armor-piercing, smoke, illumination, and extended-range variants

5. Hazards

  • Primary Hazards:
    • Blast: Significant blast overpressure from detonation of the HE charge
    • Fragmentation: The heavy steel body (~33 kg total projectile weight) produces extensive lethal fragmentation upon detonation; reports indicate potential issues with fragmentation consistency in some variants
  • Explosive Fill: TNT or TNT-based composition (standard for Chinese artillery HE projectiles)
  • Sensitivity: Standard sensitivity for large-caliber artillery HE projectiles
  • UXO Considerations:
    • The 130mm HE projectile is a large, heavy munition with a substantial explosive fill; duds retain full blast and fragmentation potential
    • The high muzzle velocity (~930 m/s) means duds may be deeply embedded in soil
    • Fuze may be in a partially armed state, sensitive to disturbance or environmental changes
    • 130mm ammunition is currently being actively used in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with North Korean and Chinese-origin 130mm shells documented in the theater
    • Aging stockpiles in various countries increase the risk of unstable fuze conditions
  • Kill Radius: Large effective fragmentation radius consistent with 130mm-class artillery

⚠ WARNING: All ordnance should be considered dangerous until rendered safe by qualified EOD personnel. Large-caliber HE projectiles should never be approached or handled by untrained individuals.

6. Key Identification Features

  • Caliber: 130mm
  • Weight: Approximately 33 kg (73 lbs) — significantly heavier than 122mm projectiles
  • Shape: Streamlined ogive with boat-tailed base; relatively long and slender profile consistent with high-velocity gun ammunition
  • Color and Markings:
    • Typically painted in standard Chinese military colors (olive drab, green, or gray variants depending on production period)
    • Chinese characters and numerical markings indicating nomenclature, lot number, manufacturing date, explosive fill type, and factory code
    • Some export variants may have markings in other languages or simplified codes
  • Distinctive Features:
    • Single copper or gilding-metal rotating band
    • Standard fuze well configuration for PD fuzes
    • Boat-tailed base with base cover
    • Larger and noticeably heavier than 122mm projectiles, smaller than 152mm projectiles
  • Material: Steel body

7. Fuzing Mechanisms

  • Fuze Type: Point-detonating (PD) fuze with superquick and delay options
  • Compatible Fuzes: Chinese-manufactured PD fuzes compatible with 130mm gun ammunition; Soviet-compatible fuze well allows use of original Soviet fuzes where available
  • Arming Sequence: Fuze arms through setback forces during firing and centrifugal force from spin
  • Functioning:
    • On impact, the PD fuze initiates the booster charge
    • The booster detonates the main HE fill
    • Detonation produces blast overpressure and high-velocity fragmentation from the steel body
    • Delay option allows penetration of light cover, earthworks, or structures before detonation
  • Self-Destruct: None — standard impact fuzing
  • Anti-Handling: Not typically equipped

8. History of Development and Use

  • Development Background: In the mid-1950s, the Soviet Union transferred M-46 production technology to China as part of a broader military assistance program. Chinese engineers, with support from institutions including the Beijing Institute of Technology and the PLA Military Engineering Institute, undertook the challenging process of replicating the 130mm gun and its ammunition
  • Production History:
    • Factory No. 127 produced the first Chinese 130mm guns in August 1959
    • The gun was officially designated the Type 59
    • The Type 59-1 lightweight variant was finalized in 1970
    • The Type 59-1 became the primary suppression artillery for Chinese military divisions
  • Combat History: Chinese 130mm ammunition has seen combat in numerous conflicts:
    • Jinmen (Quemoy) Artillery Battle (1958) — early use of Soviet-supplied 130mm shore defense guns
    • Sino-Indian War (1962)
    • Vietnam War (1955–1975)
    • Sino-Vietnamese Border War (1979) — the Type 59-1 earned praise as a “featured artillery” for its long range, accuracy, and firepower
    • Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988) — Iraqi Type 59-1 guns used extensively
    • Gulf War (1990–1991) — approximately 675 Type 59/59-1 guns in the Iraqi inventory
    • Various African and Middle Eastern conflicts
  • Export History: The Type 59 family has been exported to numerous countries including Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Thailand, Albania, and many African nations. The A412 variant was manufactured in Romania under license
  • Current Relevance: Chinese-manufactured 130mm ammunition has been documented in the Russia-Ukraine conflict (2022–present), with reports indicating supplies reaching Russia through complex international supply chains. China and Iran continue to manufacture 130mm ammunition, including advanced extended-range variants
  • Modern Development: NORINCO continues to develop improved 130mm ammunition, including base-bleed and rocket-assisted projectiles with ranges exceeding 38 km, as well as the GM-45 upgrade package that replaces the 130mm barrel with a 155mm/45 cal barrel

9. Technical Specifications

ParameterSpecification
Caliber130mm
Projectile Weight~33 kg (73 lbs)
Projectile TypeHigh-Explosive Fragmentation (HE-Frag)
Explosive FillTNT or TNT-based composition
StabilizationSpin-stabilized
Loading TypeSeparate loading (metal cartridge case)
Muzzle Velocity~930 m/s (3,051 ft/s)
Maximum Range (Standard HE)~27,500m (27.5 km)
Maximum Range (ERFB-BB)Up to 38,000–44,000m
Maximum Range (RAP)~34,360m
Rate of Fire8–10 rounds/min (maximum); 6–7 rounds/min (sustained)
Compatible WeaponsType 59, Type 59-1, M-46, 130mm SPG, and compatible platforms
Operating TemperatureStandard military range

10. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are Chinese 130mm projectiles interchangeable with Soviet M-46 ammunition? A: Yes. The Type 59 gun is a licensed copy of the Soviet M-46, and Chinese 130mm ammunition is designed to be ballistically compatible with the original Soviet weapon. Chinese HE projectiles can be fired from Soviet M-46 guns and vice versa. This interchangeability has made Chinese 130mm ammunition a significant export commodity and has enabled complex international supply chains for this caliber.

Q: How can Chinese 130mm HE projectiles be distinguished from Soviet-manufactured equivalents? A: The primary distinguishing features are the markings. Chinese projectiles typically bear Chinese characters, factory codes, and numbering systems distinct from the Cyrillic markings on Soviet rounds. Manufacturing quality, surface finish, and specific color shade may also differ, though both follow the same general design specifications. Some Chinese export ammunition may have non-Chinese markings or simplified codes.

Q: Why has the 130mm caliber remained relevant despite the trend toward 152mm and 155mm artillery? A: The 130mm M-46/Type 59 family offers exceptional range for its era (27+ km standard, 38+ km with extended-range ammunition), making it competitive with or superior to many newer systems. The enormous global inventory of M-46/Type 59 guns and available ammunition ensures continued use. Additionally, continued production of modern extended-range 130mm ammunition in China and Iran has extended the operational viability of these weapons. The gun’s reintroduction by Russian forces in Ukraine (2024) demonstrates its ongoing utility.

Q: What is the significance of the Type 59-1 variant for ordnance identification? A: The Type 59-1 combined the 130mm barrel of the Type 59 with the lighter carriage of the Type 60 (D-74 copy), reducing total weight by approximately 1.4 tons. While the gun is lighter and more mobile, it fires the same 130mm ammunition. For ordnance identification purposes, projectiles from Type 59 and Type 59-1 guns are identical. The A412 variant manufactured in Romania is essentially the same system.

Q: What UXO concerns exist regarding Chinese 130mm ammunition in current conflict zones? A: Chinese 130mm ammunition has been documented in the Russia-Ukraine conflict through international supply chains. Key concerns include: mixed stocks of varying age and condition from different production lots and factories; potential for aging-related degradation of fuze components in older stockpiles; deep burial of duds due to high muzzle velocity; and the challenge of identifying origin and specific variant from damaged or corroded projectiles in the field. The large explosive fill (~33 kg projectile weight) makes any dud a significant hazard.

Q: What extended-range ammunition options exist for the Chinese 130mm guns? A: NORINCO has developed several extended-range variants including the MP-130 rocket-assisted projectile (RAP) with a range of 34,360m, ERFB (Extended Range Full Bore) HE projectiles, and ERFB-BB (base bleed) projectiles achieving ranges of 38,000 to 44,000 meters. These extended-range rounds have been manufactured by multiple countries including China, Iran, and others, significantly extending the tactical utility of the M-46/Type 59 platform well beyond its original design parameters.