Pakistan Deploys 250 Chinese SH-15 Howitzers Along India Border With 72 Km Strike Capability

New Delhi: After Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has launched one of its biggest artillery preparations against India. According to reports, Pakistan has deployed 250 Chinese-made SH-15 truck-mounted self-propelled howitzers along the entire eastern border with India. Pakistan is rapidly increasing its long-range strike capability after India's precision strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and PoK during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. 

How many Chinese howitzers' has Pakistan deployed?

In a major artillery expansion along its eastern frontier with India, Pakistan has deployed 250 Chinese-manufactured SH-15 truck-mounted self-propelled howitzers.

According to reports, the Pakistan Army is systematically deploying these 155 mm guns in different sectors from north to south. This will enhance Pakistan's long-range strike capability.

According to reports, the purchase of 250 SH-15 systems is no ordinary one. This number is considered sufficient to fully equip several artillery regiments. This means that Pakistan is pursuing a strategy to increase its firepower not just in a single sector, but along the entire India-Pakistan border.

What is the SH-15 cannon?

The SH-15 is a truck-mounted self-propelled howitzer developed by a defense company in China called NORINCO. It is placed on a truck. Uses the trucks engine to run. It is the export version of the Chinese Army's PCL-181. Pakistan contracted approximately 236 units in 2019. 

It is placed on a 6×6 armored truck. This allows it to move quickly from one place to another and to be set up in tough areas. The important part of this system is the "shoot and scoot" ability. That means it can fire and then move to a spot within a few minutes. This is a benefit compared to older guns that are pulled by other vehicles.

According to the report, the system can fire far as 30 to 40 kilometers using regular shells. When it uses rocket-assisted shells the distance increases to 53 to 72 kilometers. It can fire up to six shells in a minute, which's one every 10 seconds. It can also drive on roads at speeds up to 90 kilometers, per hour.

What does it mean for India?

According to experts, the deployment of the SH-15 will certainly enhance Pakistan's artillery capabilities, but India already possesses capabilities such as the K9 Vajra, M777 ultra-light howitzer, Dhanush cannon, and modern counter-battery radar. Therefore, this deployment is seen as a significant step towards modernizing Pakistan's artillery capabilities rather than balancing the military balance along the border.