Chinese artillery firing on 53 km distance arrived in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, ($1=176.50 Pakistani Rupee) — According to photos shared on social media [Twitter – ed.], Islamabad has received the first batch of Chinese self-propelled howitzers SH-15, BulgarianMilitary.com has learned. It is not clear from the photos exactly how many self-propelled howitzers were delivered, but examining the photos we can assume that there are at least two [one tow truck has a yellow trailer, the other three photos show a tow truck with a gray trailer].
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Sources claim that as early as 2019, Islamabad and Beijing signed an agreement to buy and sell this type of self-propelled howitzers. It is alleged that under this agreement, Pakistan must acquire 236 wheeled self-propelled howitzers SH-15. SIPRI [Worldwide Arm Transfer Database] claims that Pakistan has already acquired 36 wheeled self-propelled howitzers of the same model, but nearly eight or nine years ago. This information may not be correct, as this howitzer model is no more than five years old. Most likely, Pakistan had the predecessor of this Chinese howitzer – SH-15.
The SH-15 has a 155mm cannon that fires at a distance of 53 km if fired with a jet artillery shell, and just over 20 km if standard ammunition is used. Some experts suggest that the SH-15’s 155mm cannon is a modified version of the old 155mm / L52 AH-2 artillery cannon.
It is compatible with all standard NATO 155 mm munitions, as well as with local munitions developed by NORINCO. So this howitzer can use a wide variety of different ammunition. This artillery system is capable of direct and indirect fire.
The self-propelled howitzer unfolded after two large spikes landed on the ground behind the truck. In this way, they ensure the stability of the entire platform during shooting. According to unofficial information, the SH-15 can fire between 4 and 6 shells per minute. Interestingly, it only takes about a minute for the howitzer to transform back into a vehicle and change its position, making it extremely flexible.
The Chinese self-propelled howitzer has a modern computer system that uses positioning and guidance navigation. If necessary, a 12.7 mm machine gun can be mounted on the roof of the truck.
SH-15 is a relatively new product, whose development began in 2017, and in late 2018 and early 2019 entered service with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
The howitzer is controlled by a crew of six soldiers. 155mm cannon is mounted in the specified part of the truck, which develops a maximum speed of 90 km / h and can go with a single charge of the tank up to 600 km. Military sources say the howitzer weighs about 22 tons.
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