Algeria’s National People’s Army (ANP) has taken into service what appears to be Norinco’s vehicle-mounted rapid deployment system for the W86 120 mm mortar, it was revealed when Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaïd Salah visited the Central Logistics Base in Blida on 30 April.
The Ministry of National Defence released photographs and video showing Lt Gen Salah inspecting one such system fitted to what appeared to be a Mercedes-Benz G-Class vehicle. It appeared to be identical to one fitted to a Dongfeng EQ2050 light tactical vehicle that Norinco displayed during the 2016 Zhuhai Airshow. It uses a hydraulic mechanism to lower a standard W86 to the ground. The Algerian truck was also fitted with rear-facing seats for the mortar operators and ammunition racks.
Algeria already has two Norinco artillery systems in service in the form of the 155 mm PLZ45 self-propelled howitzer and SR5 multiple rocket launcher system.
