The NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) 122 mm howitzer Type 54-1 is the Chinese version of the Russian 122 mm howitzer M1938 (M-30). It is virtually identical to the original apart from some small manufacturing expedients.

This was the first large calibre artillery weapon to be manufactured in China and may have been produced as early as 1953.

According to United Nations sources, between 1992 and 2006 the only export sales of the NORINCO Type 54-1 were to Bolivia, which took delivery of 36 systems in 1992. These are understood to be refurbished rather than brand new weapons.

The 122 mm Type 54-1 howitzer is fitted with a Type 58 panoramic sight weighing 1.3 kg (with a magnification of ×3.7 and a 10° field of view) and a collimator sight Type 58 (with a 10° 40' field of view).

The Type 54-1 uses a variable nine-charge propellant system and can fire at least four types of projectile: HE, smoke, illuminating and incendiary. No details are available regarding the incendiary projectile and it is thought to be little used.

A leaflet shell containing 1.1 kg of leaflets is also used. A 122 mm cargo round with six layers of HEAT bomblets has been developed to the prototype stage. These HEAT bomblets are dispensed over the target area and are highly effective against the upper surfaces of tanks and other armoured vehicles, as well as soft skinned vehicles and troops in the open.

The upper part, mount and 122 mm weapon are also used in the NORINCO 122 mm Type 70 and Type 70-1 self-propelled artillery system that are based on a full-tracked chassis. These are only used by the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Production was completed many years ago and they were never exported.