In a major step towards strengthening its border military presence, Pakistan has deployed 250 Chinese-made SH-15 truck-mounted self-propelled howitzers along its frontier with India, significantly enhancing its artillery capabilities, top intelligence sources told India Today. Sources said the Pakistan Army has begun strategically deploying the 155mm artillery systems across key sectors from the northern to the southern stretches of the eastern border.
The deployment is among Pakistan's biggest artillery reinforcements in recent years and comes as the country continues efforts to modernise its military after Operation Sindoor, India's tri-services counterterrorism mission in May 2025. During the operation, India carried out precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure across the Line of Control (LoC) and inside Pakistan.
SH-15 ENHANCES LONG-RANGE ARTILLERY CAPABILITY
Built by China's state-owned defence firm NORINCO, the SH-15 is the export variant of the People's Liberation Army's PCL-181 wheeled self-propelled howitzer. Mounted on a 6x6 armoured Shaanxi truck chassis, the system is designed for high mobility and rapid deployment, capable of travelling at speeds of up to 90 kmph while operating across challenging terrain.
The 155mm/52-calibre artillery system can fire standard NATO-compatible shells to a range of around 30-40 kilometres. Using rocket-assisted V-LAP ammunition, it can reportedly engage targets between 53 and 72 kilometres away. It is equipped with an automated fire-control system and hydraulic stabilisers, enabling it to quickly deploy, fire up to six rounds per minute and reposition before enemy counter-battery fire can be launched.
Defence sources said the induction of 250 SH-15 systems is enough to equip several artillery regiments, substantially improving Pakistan's long-range conventional firepower.
CHINA-PAKISTAN MILITARY COOPERATION GROWS
The latest induction underscores the deepening defence partnership between Pakistan and China, which has expanded steadily over the past decade. Apart from defence equipment supplies, both countries have stepped up joint military exercises focused on enhancing interoperability, integrated command-and-control systems and combined-arms operations.
On Saturday, Pakistan marked the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. Addressing the event, Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, described the relationship between Pakistan and China as "unique, time-tested, and steadfast despite evolving regional and global challenges."
According to Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the event was attended by Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, China's Defence Attaché Major General Wang Zhong, officials from the Chinese Embassy, and senior officers from the Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force.
