Pakistan might receive the first batch of SH-1 155mm self-propelled howitzer this year
The Pakistan Army will standardize its artillery capability to 155 mm. Pakistan army will procure a range of light, medium and heavy towed and self-propelled howitzer artillery from China and Turkey to replace all non-155 mm and older systems.
Pakistan will receive the first batch of SH-1 155mm self-propelled howitzer this year. Although the exact number of Pakistan SH-1 155mm self-propelled howitzer under contract is not known but it is likely to be around 96. Army has already purchased two SLC-2 active phased-array weapons locating radars along with A-100 multi-rocket launch systems.
SH-1 155mm 52-calibre self-propelled howitzer underwent extensive trials in Thar Desert and Northern Areas of Pakistan. The main armament of the SH-1 howitzer includes: Extended-Range, Full-Bore, Rocket-Assisted, High-Explosive (ERFB-RA/HE) and Extended-Range Full-Bore, Base-Bleed, High-Explosive (ERFB-BB/HE). When using, the ERFB-BB/HE round, the SH-1 howitzer can reach a maximum range of 53km and with base-bleed 155mm SH-1 howitzer can reach a maximum rounds out to 42.5km.
The SH-1 self-propelled howitzer is mounted on a 6X6 wheeled chassis with a forward engine and an armour-protected driving cab. The vehicle can has a maximum road speed of 90km/h.Total combat weight of the SH-1 howitzer system is 22 tonnes and it will be operated by a crew of five. SH-1 howitzer system will employ scout vehicles and UAV to relay target information to automatic targeting systems on the artillery truck for rapid shoot and scoot operations. The howitzer can also fire the 155mm Red Mud laser-guided projectile developed by NORINCO. The vehicle carries 25 rounds onboard and carries a 12.7mm machine gun which is mounted on the roof.
A complete SH-1 Regiment comprises 24 SH-1s, four Battery Command Post vehicles, one Battalion Command Post vehicle, one road-mobile CETC-built JY-30 C-band meteorological radar, four 6 x 6 wheeled reconnaissance vehicles, and an S-band CETC-built SLC-2 artillery locating and fire correction radar.
Pakistan Army has already accepted initial 18-tonne T-155 Panter 155mm/52-calibrre towed howitzers from Turkey. Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) has signed contract with South Korea’s Poongsan. This was worth the minimum $176 million contract which supplies the ammunition plant, technical assistance, all the relevant technology and machine parts including 8,600 bullets. Poongsan plans not only to boost price competitiveness by getting a supply of low-priced parts from Pakistan, but also to promote marketing in association with neighboring Islamic countries by strengthening cooperation with Pakistan in ammunition field.
Posted by ASIAN DEFENCE
