The China North Industries Corporation's (Norinco's) Sharp Claw I unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) has entered service with the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF).

In an announcement made on 13 April via its Sina Weibo account the PLA's Eastern Theatre Command confirmed an 11 April report by the China Central Television 7 (CCTV 7) channel stating that the tracked, combat, and reconnaissance UGV was now in service with the Chinese military.

No information was provided as to when exactly it entered service, the number of platforms being acquired, or which PLAGF units will deploy it.

The UGV, which was first unveiled at the Airshow China 2014 exhibition in Zhuhai, weighs 120 kg, is 60 cm high, 70 cm long, and has an operational range of 1 km, according to Jane's Land Warfare Platforms: Logistics, Support & Unmanned .

The platform, which can be carried in the cargo bay of the larger Sharp Claw II UGV, has been designed for use in remote areas unsuitable for personnel to detect and attack targets "in all weather conditions during the day and at night", according to the manufacturer.

The platform, which Norinco claims can operate autonomously, can be armed with a 7.62 mm light machine gun.

As Jane's reported, Norinco displayed an improved variant of the Sharp Claw I at Airshow China 2018. The newer version features several upgrades - including an improved short-range electro-optical payload, machine vision, and lighting suite, as well as a refined magazine box and ammunition feed mechanism - aimed at enhancing the platform's reconnaissance and combat capabilities.

CCTV 7 also reported on 11 April that the PLA Rocket Force is receiving a "large, crane-like robot that can be used in lifting and loading missiles onto transporter-erector launchers", thus enabling more missiles to be launched from the same launcher within short intervals.

https://www.janes.com/article/95531/norinco-s-sharp-claw-i-ugv-in-service-with-chinese-army