The PLZ-05 is a development of the export-oriented 155-mm PLZ-45, but unlike its predecessor, was designed from the start for the PLA. The all-welded steel chassis is based on that of the PLZ-45 with a broadly similar configuration with the driver seated at the front left and the engine to his right. The rear of the vehicle mounts a large turret that is somewhat remniscient of the Soviet 2S19, and which carries a 12.7-mm machine gun for protection. Main armament consists of a long-barreled (L/52) PLL-01 155-mm howitzer, this being the first PLA self-propelled artillery system to move away from Soviet calibers and adopted Western ones. This is capable of achieving a standard range of 40 km and up to 70 km with rocket-assisted projectiles, and a fully automatic loading system (said to be based on that of the 2S19) can obtain a rate of fire of up to eight rounds per minute or four rounds per 15 seconds in burst mode. The PLZ-05 can also fire laser-guided projectiles based on the Russian Krasnopol and it can be used as an anti-tank weapon if needed. A digital fire control system, thermal imaging, laser rangefinder, and ballistic computer are also provided, giving it a high degree of automatization and accuracy. The PLZ-05 is currently the main heavy SPG in service with the PLA, sharing duties with the lighter caliber PLZ-07. No exports are known to exist

Development of the PLZ-05 began in the mid-1990 with the first prototype completed in 2003 and its first public apperance in 2007. Variants include the export-oriented PLZ-05A (or PLZ-52) which has a different engine, as well as the PLZ-04 which has an even longer L/54 caliber gun. A version with a lengthened hull is known as the PLZ-05B.