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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. 'Gun Vehicle Howitzer').
| PCL-181 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Self-propelled howitzer |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2019–present |
| Used by | See § Operators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Nanjing University of Science and Technology |
| Manufacturer | Norinco |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 25 t (25 long tons; 28 short tons)[1] |
| Length | 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in) (SH-15)[2] |
| Width | 2.66 m (8 ft 9 in) (SH-15)[2] |
| Height | <3.6 m (11 ft 10 in) |
| Crew | 6 |
| Caliber | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Barrels | 52 caliber |
| Breech | Semi-automatic vertical wedge type breech block |
| Elevation | Around 20° to 70° (except for front due to cab) |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Rate of fire | 4–6 rounds/min (SH-15)[3] |
| Effective firing range | 20 km (12 mi) (conventional projectile) [4] |
| Maximum firing range | 53 km (33 mi) (rocket-assisted projectile)[4] |
Main armament | PLL-01 155 mm howitzer gun |
| Engine | diesel |
| Drive | 6×6 |
| Maximum speed | 90 km/h (56 mph)[3] |
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.
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]
Due to its comparatively lighter weight of 25 tons, the PCL-181 can also be transported in a Shaanxi Y-9.[1]
- PCL-181
- PLA designation
- SH-15
- Export designation
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.[8]
In June 2020, it was reported that the PCL-181 had been deployed in the Tibet Autonomous Region amid tensions with India.[8]
In February 2021, it was reported that at least 18 PCL-181s had been inducted into the PLAGF's Xinjiang Military Command.[9]
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 TOT to further build these self-propelled howitzers locally at Heavy Industries Taxila.[10] 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.[11] It is capable of firing VLAP rounds that have a range of 50km. For example, Pakistan ordered 1,332 VLAP in 2017, and acquired ToT to produce further VLAP shells domestically.[12] It can also fire laser-homing, satellite-guided, and top-attack projectiles.[11] 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.[11]
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.[13]
Current operators
People's Republic of China[9]
Pakistan
- Pakistan Army[15]
- Pakistan Army Artillery Corps - 300 units
- Pakistan Army[15]
Ethiopia
- Ethiopian Ground Forces: Satellite imagery confirms the arrival of at least 32 SH-15 self-propelled howitzers.[16]
Myanmar
- Myanmar Army: 150[17]
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