PCL-181

The PCL-181 made its first public appearance during the 70th Chinese National Day Parade on 1 October 2019. 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. ==Design==

Armament The gun has a 52-caliber barrel and is exactly the same as that of the PLZ-05 self-propelled howitzer. Each vehicle can carry 27 rounds of ammunition. 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. The PCL-181 is fitted with hydropneumatic suspension, allowing better gun elevation and depression. Due to its comparatively lighter weight of 25 tons, the PCL-181 can also be transported in a Shaanxi Y-9. == Variants ==

;PCL-181 :PLA designation ;SH-15 :Export designation == Deployment ==

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. In June 2020, it was reported that the PCL-181 had been deployed in the Tibet Autonomous Region amid tensions with India. Deliveries started in January 2022, and the SH-15s participated in the Pakistan Day parade on March 23, 2022. Pakistan acquired it in response to India's acquisition of the K9 thunder self-propelled howitzer. It is capable of firing VLAP rounds that have a range of 50 km. For example, Pakistan ordered 1,332 VLAP in 2017, and acquired ToT to produce further VLAP shells domestically. It can also fire laser-homing, satellite-guided, and top-attack projectiles. After the outbreak of the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, the SH-15s were reportedly used in combat missions against Indian military targets along the LoC which included logistic bases, artillery positions and checkpoints. == Operators ==

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. Current operators • • People's Liberation Army Ground Force: 600 units as of 2024. • 71st Artillery Brigade, 71st Group Army • (Stationed in Wuxi) - 72nd Group Army • (Stationed in Nan'an) - 73rd Group Army • (Stationed in Shaoguan) - 74th Group Army • 75th Artillery Brigade - 75th Group Army • 77th Artillery Brigade - 77th Group Army • (Stationed in Weifang) - 80th Group Army • 83rd Artillery Brigade - 83rd Group Army • • Pakistan Army • Pakistan Army Artillery Corps - 300 in service as of 2025. A total of 200-300 more planned to be purchased. • • Ethiopian Ground Forces: Satellite imagery confirms the arrival of at least 32 SH-15 self-propelled howitzers. • • Myanmar Army: 150 == See also ==