SH 15 Artillery Inducted in Pakistan Army

Super falcon

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2021
Messages
870
Likes
806
Country flag
In 2017 a new 155 mm truck-mounted howitzer was first observed in China. It was publicly revealed in 2018. By that time at least a battery of these truck-mounted howitzers was produced, that were used for testing and evaluation. The SH-15 is based on an older SH-1 design, which was intended mainly for export. The new SH-15 howitzer was improved in many ways. It was aimed at a China's army requirement and was also offered on the export market. In concept this Chinese truck-mounted howitzer is similar to a French CAESAR. The SH-15 was adopted by the Chinese army in 2018 or 2019 as the PCL-181. Other sources report that it was adopted in 2020. It replaces in service the old PL-66 field howitzers. Operational howitzers were demonstrated during a military parade in 2019. In 2019 Pakistan ordered 236 of these artillery systems.

This new truck-mounted artillery system is fitted with a 155 mm gun-howitzer. Most likely it is a modified ordnance of an AH-2 155 mm/L52 howitzer. It is compatible with all standard 155 mm NATO ammunition, as well as indigenous ammunition developed by NORINCO. So this howitzer can use a wide variety of different ammunition. This artillery system is capable of direct and indiret firing. Maximum range of fire could be up to 53 km with a rocket-assisted V-LAP projectile. Such range was already demonstrated by the older SH-1 system. In addition this artillery system can use indigenous precision-guided munitions, based on the Russian Krasnopol laser-guided projectile technology. China obtained this technology and production license in the late 1990s and successfully developed its own precision guided projectiles. Its export designation is GP155 or GP1. These projectiles have a maximum range of 20-25 km.

This truck-mounted howitzer has built-in ammunition boxes and carries various rounds with associated charges. Before firing two large spades are lowered to the ground at the back. These provide a more stable firing platform. Maximum rate of fire could be around 4-6 rounds per minute. Conversion time form firing to travelling order is only around 1 minute. So this howitzer can briefly fire a couple of shells and leave its firing position before hostile forces open a counter-battery fire.

The SH-15 is fitted with a computerized fire control system, navigation, positioning and targeting systems. Vehicle receives target information from artillery command vehicle.

This howitzer is based on a new Shaanxi military truck with an armored cabin. It accommodates a complete gun crew of 6 soldiers. Armor provides protection for the crew against small arms fire and artillery shell
 

Super Flanker

Aviation and Defence Enthusiast
Senior Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2021
Messages
4,962
Likes
11,408
Country flag
These have better range than K 9
SH-15 has a Firing range of 53+ kms.

The K-9 Vajra has a Firing Range of 38 kilometres but they have been reported to be successfully hitting targets at 50 kilometres in the mountains up to 16,000 feet altitude in Eastern Ladakh.
~
Anyways yes I agree that SH-15 has more range than K-9 Vajra as a whole but it won't give you some really huge Advantage.
 

Super Flanker

Aviation and Defence Enthusiast
Senior Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2021
Messages
4,962
Likes
11,408
Country flag
Do not matter. It's not a measuring contest anyway. They are going to be part of strike.corps. We need WLR and LCH to combat these. We need to evolve doctrines regularly.
We have Swathi which is a Weapon Locating Radar. It is a mobile artillery-locating phased array radar and is designed to detect and track the incoming artillery and rocket fire in order to determine the point of origin for counter-battery fire.

So I think so we will probably able to detect SH-15 Howitzers from where they are Firing and provide counter-Battery fire.

What do you think about it?
 

Angel of War

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2021
Messages
2,078
Likes
7,305
Country flag
SH-15 has a Firing range of 53+ kms.

The K-9 Vajra has a Firing Range of 38 kilometres but they have been reported to be successfully hitting targets at 50 kilometres in the mountains up to 16,000 feet altitude in Eastern Ladakh.
~
Anyways yes I agree that SH-15 has more range than K-9 Vajra as a whole but it won't give you some really huge Advantage.
k9 can use a larger variety of ammunition and has better Shoot and scoot capabilities than SH15. Plus , its an armored SPH allowing it to increase its survivability in a Counter battery engagement
 

Super Flanker

Aviation and Defence Enthusiast
Senior Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2021
Messages
4,962
Likes
11,408
Country flag
k9 can use a larger variety of ammunition and has better Shoot and scoot capabilities than SH15. Plus , its an armored SPH allowing it to increase its survivability in a Counter battery engagement
I agree with you. But SH-15 Howitzers are still Formidable and should be taken Seriously as a threat.
 

JBH22

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2010
Messages
6,478
Likes
17,797
These have better range than K 9
I am least bothered about better range etc. But what I appreciate is the quick decision making process in Pakistan establishment. They are quick to give a response be it symmetric or asymmetric, whether end objective is met that is debatable. However, quick decision making is achieved.
Here in India babu and army will draft requirement, test and trial, by that time platform obsolescent. Process is restarted.
 

Latest Replies

Global Defence

New threads

Articles

Top