The Type 83 152mm towed gun (cannon) was introduced in mid-1980s originally scheduled to replace the Type 59-I 130mm towed gun. The weapon received its design certificate in 1986 and entered service in the late 1980s only in a very limited number, possibly due to technical problems or unsatisfactory performance. The Type 83 is mainly found in the gun regiment of artillery divisions and gun battalion of artillery brigades organic at group army level. It is designed to provide long-range direct/indirect firepower against enemy personnel and other area targets. It may be replaced by the more capable PLL01 155mm gun-howitzer in the future.