China: November 12, 1999

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China has begun production of the 152mm and 155mm Russian-designed laser-guided Krasnopol artillery shell. The 152mm version is compatible with Russian-designed howitzers of that caliber, while the 155mm version is compatible with NATO 155mm howitzers. The shell has a range of 3,000-22,000 meters; the 1D22 laser designator has a range of 7,000m against tank-sized targets. China plans to market the shells along with their own export artillery, but is willing to sell them to anyone with guns of the requisite caliber.--Stephen V Cole