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PCL-181
Chinese 155 mm self-propelled howitzer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The PCL-181 is a Chinese truck-mounted, 155 mm self-propelled howitzer used by the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF).[1] The designation "PCL" is an acronym derived from pinyin (Chinese: 炮车榴弹炮; pinyin: Pào Chē Liúdànpào; lit. 'Artillery', 'Vehicle', 'Howitzer').
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Development
The PCL-181 made its first public appearance during the 70th Chinese National Day Parade on 1 October 2019.[5]
It was designed to replace the 152 mm PL-66 towed gun-howitzer and the 130 mm Type 59-1 towed field guns used by the PLAGF and will complement the PLZ-05, and improve upon its functionality in many ways.
Design
Armament
The gun has a 52-caliber barrel and is exactly the same as that of the PLZ-05 self-propelled howitzer.[6] It has a maximum firing range of up to 40 km (25 mi) with conventional ammunition and 72 km (45 mi) with extended range ammunition. The gun can also fire laser-guided munition which is capable of all-weather operation.[7] Each vehicle can carry 27 rounds of ammunition.[2]
The vehicle features semi-automatic ammo reload, where the operator places the shell on the loading arm and the loading arm loads the round into the breech.[5]
The PCL-181 is equipped with an automatic fire-control system.[1] Following the operator's input of a target's azimuth data, the vehicle-mounted computer can calculate the trajectory of the artillery, and automatically lay the gun.[1]
Mobility
The PCL-181 is based on Taian GM's 6×6 truck chassis.[6] The PCL-181 is fitted with hydropneumatic suspension, allowing better gun elevation and depression.[8]
Due to its comparatively lighter weight of 25 tons, the PCL-181 can also be transported in a Shaanxi Y-9.[1]
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Variants
- PCL-181
- PLA designation
- SH-15
- Export designation
Deployment
Summarize
Perspective
According to state media reports, most of the country's five military jurisdictions, known as theater commands, have been equipped with PCL-181 155 mm vehicle-mounted howitzers.[9]
In June 2020, it was reported that the PCL-181 had been deployed in the Tibet Autonomous Region amid tensions with India.[9]
In February 2021, it was reported that at least 18 PCL-181s had been inducted into the PLAGF's Xinjiang Military Command.[10]
Pakistan
In 2019, Pakistan signed a contract for 236 SH-15s.[3] Deliveries started in January 2022, and the SH-15s participated in the Pakistan Day parade on March 23, 2022.[3] As per sources, Pakistan may have acquired transfer of technology to further build these self-propelled howitzers locally at Heavy Industries Taxila.[11] Pakistan acquired it in response to India's acquisition of the K9 thunder self-propelled howitzer.[4]
The SH-15s are Pakistan Army's first 155 mm/52-caliber gun.[12] It is capable of firing VLAP rounds that have a range of 50 km. For example, Pakistan ordered 1,332 VLAP in 2017, and acquired ToT to produce further VLAP shells domestically.[13] It can also fire laser-homing, satellite-guided, and top-attack projectiles.[12] These guided shells are cheaper than the guided rockets in Pakistan's inventory. Finally, it can also reportedly fire nuclear artillery.[4] The SH-15's chassis reportedly performs well off-road, but not in more demanding terrain.[12]
Amidst the 2025 India-Pakistan crisis, the Pakistan Army deployed it's SH-15s along the international border with India and the Line of Control in Azad Kashmir. [14] After the outbreak of the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, the SH-15s were reportedly used in combat missions against Indian military targets along the LoC which included logistic bases, artillery positions and checkpoints. [15]
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Operators
In China's PLAGF, each group army commands one artillery brigade which doctrinally includes two self-propelled or towed artillery (122 mm, 152 mm, or 155 mm) battalions, each of which comprises three batteries of four to six howitzers each.[16]
Current operators
People's Republic of China[10]
- People's Liberation Army Ground Force: 600 units as of 2024.[17]
- 71st Artillery Brigade, 71st Group Army
- 72nd Artillery Brigade(Stationed in Wuxi) - 72nd Group Army
- 73rd Artillery Brigade(Stationed in Nan'an) - 73rd Group Army
- 74th Artillery Brigade(Stationed in Shaoguan) - 74th Group Army
- 75th Artillery Brigade - 75th Group Army
- 77th Artillery Brigade - 77th Group Army
- 80th Artillery Brigade(Stationed in Weifang) - 80th Group Army
- 83rd Artillery Brigade - 83rd Group Army
- People's Liberation Army Ground Force: 600 units as of 2024.[17]
Pakistan
- Pakistan Army[18]
- Pakistan Army Artillery Corps - 300 in service as of 2025. 200-300 more planned to be purchased.
- Pakistan Army[18]
Ethiopia
- Ethiopian Ground Forces: Satellite imagery confirms the arrival of at least 32 SH-15 self-propelled howitzers.[19]
Myanmar
- Myanmar Army: 150[20]
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See also
- Archer – (Sweden)
- ATMOS 2000 – (Israel)
- A-222 Bereg – (Russia)
- 2S22 Bohdana – (Ukraine)
- CAESAR – (France)
- 152 mm SpGH DANA – (Czechoslovakia)
- G6 howitzer – (South Africa)
- ATAGS – (India)
- AHS Kryl – (Poland)
- Nora B-52 – (Serbia)
- PCL-09 – (China)
- PCL-161 – (China)
- PLL-09 – (China)
- 155 mm SpGH Zuzana – (Slovakia)
- Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer – (Japan)
References
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