Pakistan has recently deployed 250 Chinese-made SH-15 truck-mounted self-propelled howitzers along its border with India, marking a crucial escalation in its military posture along the eastern frontier. According to top intelligence sources, the Pakistan Army has systematically started positioning these 155mm artillery systems across vital sectors stretching from north to south. This deployment signifies one of the most substantial artillery reinforcements by Islamabad in recent years.

The move comes on the heels of India’s Operation Sindoor, a tri-services counterterrorism initiative carried out in May 2025, which targeted terrorist infrastructure across the Line of Control and within Pakistani territory using precision strikes. The new artillery capabilities are viewed as an effort by Pakistan to modernise its armed forces in response to perceived threats.

Technical Specifications of the SH-15

The SH-15, produced by China’s NORINCO, serves as the export version of the People’s Liberation Army’s PCL-181 wheeled self-propelled howitzer. This artillery piece is mounted on a robust 6×6 armoured Shaanxi truck chassis, allowing for rapid deployment and high mobility, with operational road speeds reaching up to 90 km/h. It is specifically engineered for quick repositioning, even in challenging terrains.

This 155mm 52-calibre artillery platform is capable of firing standard NATO-compatible ammunition over distances of approximately 30 to 40 kilometres. Notably, when using rocket-assisted V-LAP projectiles, it can reportedly strike targets located between 53 and 72 kilometres away. The howitzer is equipped with an automated fire-control system and hydraulic stabilising spades, features that enable rapid deployment and firing of up to six rounds per minute while allowing crews to promptly relocate to evade enemy counter-battery response.

Defence sources indicate that the introduction of these 250 SH-15 systems will sufficiently equip multiple artillery regiments in Pakistan. This deployment is expected to significantly bolster Pakistan’s long-range conventional strike capabilities, enhancing its military readiness amid regional tensions.

Deepening Defence Ties Between China and Pakistan

This latest addition of artillery equipment underscores the strengthening defence relationship between Pakistan and China, which has consistently evolved over the past decade. Beyond the transfer of arms, both nations have enhanced their military cooperation through joint exercises aimed at improving interoperability, networked command-and-control systems, and combined-arms operations.

On August 2, 2026, Pakistan celebrated the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. During the event, Field Marshal Asim Munir, the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff, emphasised the enduring and unique relationship with China, highlighting its resilience amidst changing regional and global dynamics.

The ceremony featured significant attendance from key officials, including Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong and Defence Attaché Major General Wang Zhong, along with senior officers from Pakistan’s Army, Navy, and Air Force. This gathering reflects the commitment to furthering defence collaboration between the two nations, amidst ongoing geopolitical challenges in the region.

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