The YW304 self-propelled 82mm mortar system provides close-in and continuous indirect fire support for armoured forces. The system is basically a Type 67 82mm mortar carried inside the troop compartment of a Type 63 armoured personnel carrier (APC). The mortar is mounted on a turntable on the compartment floor, providing 360 degrees traverse movement. With the use of an auxiliary base plate and bipod, the mortar can be dismounted from the vehicle and emplaced for ground-mounted operation. The YW304 was purely for export market and did not enter service with the PLA.
The mortar crew are accommodated in the fully armoured troop compartment. A round window on the roof of the troop compartment is used for mortar firing. The barrel muzzle reaches out of the compartment to reduce the blast effects on the mortar crew. Auxiliary weapon includes a roof-mounted Type 59 12.7mm anti-aircraft machinegun.