While previous war games have mostly targeted a single combat mode, this drill will test a wide spectrum of combat abilities, including firepower support, assault and defense, retreat and pursuit, airborne and anti-airborne actions.

"The drill targets multiple issues that our artillery could encounter in a future war," said Tang Ning, a senior PLA official in charge of military training.

Tang noted that the drill will aim to rectify "bad habits" such as a tendency to attack from a single base, excessive fire at easy targets and commanders getting too close to targets.

The drill is also an opportunity to test and improve the abilities of drones and radar as well as sonar systems to lock on targets and assist artillery assaults, the official added.

Chinese artillery troops have performed live firing with the Type 83, 152mm tracked self-propelled howitzer. It was the first 152mm self-propelled howitzer which enters in service with the Chinese Armed Forces.

The Type 83 uses a modified version of the Type 66 gun (a copy of the Russian D-20 howitzer) mounted on a tracked chassis Type 321.