IDEAS 2018: Pakistan shows interest to purchase Chinese SH15 155mm howitzer.

At IDEAS 2018, the International Defense Exhibition in Karachi, Chinese Company NORINCO China North Industries Group Corporation Limited introduces latest generation of 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer named SH15. This new artillery vehicle was unveiled during AirShow China in November 2018.

China presents its new SH15 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer at IDEAS 2018, defense exhibition in Karachi, Pakistan. November 2018 (Picture source Twitter account Ali O)

Since many years, Pakistani armed forces are in the process to strengthen its artillery capability, especially with a new more mobile artillery solution. According to the SIPRI Arms Transfer Database, Pakistan has already purchased 36 SH1 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers from Chine in 2013-2014.

During IDEAS 2016, several agreements were signed regarding the production of 155 mm base bleed shells at Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF). It will be interesting to see if Pakistan extends this effort towards precision-guided artillery shells.

Currently, the Pakistani army operates the M109A5, a tracked self-propelled howitzer manufactured by the United States but Pakistan would to continue the modernization of its artillery force with new wheeled artillery systems. For the Pakistani Army, the ideal might be to procure an even lighter weapon, one that can be carried by its utility helicopters using an external sling.

The SH15 is a new Chinese-made wheeled self-propelled howitzer based on 6x6 Shaanxi truck chassis with an armored cabin at the front and one 155 mm gun-howitzer mounted at the rear of the truck. These new howitzer is protected against firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters. The crew cab has two large bulletproof windows at the front and there are two doors on each side.

The SH15 has a maximum firing range of 20 km with standard ammunition and 53 km with 53 km with a rocket-assisted artillery projectile. This artillery vehicle can be operated by a crew of five. According to some military sources, the vehicle will have a maximum weight of 22 tons.

According to military sources, Pakistani army has showed interest to purchase the new Chinese-made SH15 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer.