China Ships 130mm Type 59 Towed Guns to Unknown Customer

China has shipped a large batch of 130mm Type 59 artillery guns — copies of the Soviet M-46 — to an unknown customer.

This was reported by Defence Blog.

The guns were spotted during unloading from a ship.

The destination has not been disclosed, but a number of regional sources say the cargo is headed to the Middle East, as suggested by the distinctive camouflage.

Contracts for the export of Chinese weapons are typically confidential, and Beijing rarely releases details of such deliveries.

In most cases, information becomes public only after the systems appear in a combat zone or their transportation is documented in photos or videos.

According to sources in the regional defense sector, the artillery systems were likely ordered by the United Arab Emirates and intended for use by allied forces operating in the region.

At the same time, separate reports suggest a possible transfer of these guns to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

M-46 (Type 59)

The 130mm M-46 corps towed gun was developed in the late 1940s and entered service in 1951.

It was designed for counter-battery missions and for striking enemy rear targets at long range.

The gun was widely exported and used in armed conflicts during the Cold War and afterward — from the Middle East and Africa to South Asia.

Main characteristics of the M-46:

• Caliber: 130 mm
• Barrel length: 55 calibers
• Weight in combat position: about 7.7 tonnes
• Maximum firing range: up to 27 km (up to 38 km with an assisted projectile)
• Muzzle velocity: up to 930 m/s
• Rate of fire: up to 6 rounds per minute
• Crew: 8 personnel