Pakistan Deploys Chinese SH-15 Artillery Guns Near Indian Border

Pakistan has deployed a large number of the China-acquired SH-15 wheeled self-propelled artillery guns against India. The 155mm 52 caliber gun system, made by the Norinco corporation, is known as the PCL-181 in China. Pakistan had ordered 236 pieces of these artillery guns in 2019, with deliveries beginning in 2022. A second lot was delivered in 2023. Pakistan also acquired a licence to produce this gun at the Heavy Industries Taxila plant, under a Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement. The procurement of the gun was part of a modernisation and standardisation drive for the Pakistani army's artillery arm. These guns have largely equipped formations facing India. Deployments are largely in Gujranwala, Sialkot and Jalalpur Jattan in the areas in depth in Pakistan from the Shakargarh bulge. The Shakargarh bulge is the area south of Jammu and north of Amritsar, with Pathankot to its east. These guns were deployed and used against India during Operation Sindoor. The guns are mostly deployed in the northern Punjab and occupied Kashmir region, while in the desert sectors opposite Rajasthan and Gujarat the Pakistani army has deployed the M-109 tracked SPGs acquired from the United States, the source said. The M-109, which has tracks, like those found on tanks, is better suited for desert terrains. Vehicles such as the SH-15 are better suited to areas such as plains and hilly or mountainous terrains.

Pakistan embarked on an Artillery Modernization Program in reflex to India’s modernization pf its artillery. Acquisition of SH-15 155 mm guns from China strengthens its defensive capabilities. This must be seen in conjunction with its newly established Army Rocket Force. A combination of rockets , missiles and long range artillery increases Pakistan’s non contact kinetic capability in the conventional domain. Acquisition of license for production enables sustained growth of firepower as also ability to export it to other countries in the Islamic world and increase its influence there to project itself as a major security player in West Asia. India should take note of this development. However it must be noted that India’s modernization of Artillery is deeper, diverse, holistic , more solid and well on its way. India has established itself as an exporter of indigenous artillery systems whose scope this will only grow. However, India needs to restructure its forces from within to get the best out of existing organizations, rather than trying to reinvent a costly wheel from scratch which it does not need.

Lt Gen PR Shankar (retired), Professor, Aerospace Dept IIT Madras and former DG Artillery

The SH-15 acquired by Pakistan is the first 52-caliber artillery gun in Pakistan's arsenal. A larger caliber gun improves the range and accuracy of the weapon platform. The SH-15 can fire different types of shells and with a rocket-assisted projectile, has a range of over 50km. The gun platform is based on a 6X6 truck. India is also standardising its artillery under the field artillery rationalisation plan. Through this project the artillery arm will be upgunned to 155mm. Currently, most artillery units in India are equipped with 105mm Indian Field Gun or its lighter variant called the Light Field Gun. The artillery modernisation has seen the induction of different types of artillery guns firing the 155mm round. These are the M777, the K-9 Vajra and the Dhanush artillery gun. The army has also ordered 307 domestically developed Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS). The army does not currently have a wheeled SPG, similar to the SH-15, but efforts are under way to make a domestic version, based on the ATAGS. This wheeled variant, termed the Mounted Gun System (MGS), is currently in the later stages of development and has undergone initial firing trials.