According to Umair Aslam in Defense Talks, the Pakistani Army is set to receive the 2nd batch of Chinese-made NORINCO SH-15 Self-Propelled Howitzers (export variant of the PCL-181). A ceremony was also held in China to mark the production of 56 SH-15 for the Pakistani Army.
The official induction of the SH-15 in the Pakistani army took place on 15 March 2021 (other sources mention 2022). Pakistan is said to have purchased around 300 units with TOT to further build these self-propelled howitzers locally at Heavy Industries Taxila.
The SH-15, which is the export version of the Chinese army’s PCL-181 (PCL is an acronym derived from pinyin, meaning Gun Vehicle Howitzer), is a self-propelled howitzer designed and manufactured by the Chinese defense company NORINCO. It is a 155mm caliber artillery system that is mounted on a Taian GM 6×6 chassis. The SH-15 has a combat weight of approximately 28,000 kg and is powered by a 520hp diesel engine, which provides a maximum road speed of up to 90 km/h, with a range of up to 500 km. The howitzer has a crew of 5: driver, gunner, and three artillerymen.
The main armament of the SH-15 is a 155mm/52 caliber gun, which is capable of firing a variety of rounds, including high-explosive, armor-piercing, and smoke rounds. The gun has a maximum range of approximately 30 km and can fire up to 6 rounds per minute.