In January 2022, Pakistan started inducting its new mainstay weapon systems, notably the SH-15 wheeled self-propelled howitzer (SPH) and Tughril-class (Type 054A/P) frigate. Leaning on China as its primary arms supplier, Pakistan is adding a range of net-new warfare capabilities.
Pakistan Army Receives First Batch of Norinco SH-15 Self-Propelled Howitzers
According to publicly available export-import logs, the Pakistan Army took delivery of its first Norinco SH-15 self-propelled howitzers (SPH) on 13 January 2022. It is not clear how many SH-15s Pakistan received, but the logs indicate that Norinco delivered 76 packages comprising of guns and ammunition.
The Pakistan Army selected the SH-15 following a series of trials in 2015-2016 when it evaluated numerous wheeled SPH systems, including the Denel T5-52 and Yugoimport SDPR NORA-B52, among other SPHs. In 2016, Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) officials reportedly suggested that the Army could acquire as many as 500 SPHs under a transfer-of-technology (ToT) deal.
Pakistan likely settled its wheeled SPH choice in 2017 as it ordered 1,332 VLAP (very long-range artillery projectile) shells that year. None of the Army’s existing howitzers/guns can support that type of shell, so a new SPH order was certainly in the procurement pipeline.
The SH-15 uses a 155 mm/52-caliber gun mounted on a 6×6 chassis. According to Norinco, the SH-15 can fire a variety of munition types. These include VLAP shells, which can offer a range of up to 50 km. It could also fire laser-guided, satellite-guided, and guided top-attack shells.
In addition to the SH-15, the export-import logs indicate that Pakistan acquired ToT to locally produce the new artillery shells. This ToT deal is likely in reference to the VLAP shells Pakistan bought in 2017.
Like the VT-4 main battle tank, the SH-15 is a major piece of the Army’s modernization efforts. Not only is the SH-15 a new platform, but it adds significant net-new capabilities. The Army will leverage the SH-15’s compatibility with VLAP shells to add a stand-off weapon (SOW)-type capability. Pakistan will likely acquire various guided and top-attack shells to improve its striking accuracy.
Pakistan may work to downstream these new artillery capabilities to its future towed howitzers too. Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) is developing a homegrown 155 mm gun. Given that Pakistan will manufacture VLAP shells, it would make sense to induct compatible guns at the mainstay/workhorse level. Moreover, as the Army invests in guided, long-range artillery capabilities, it will seek more target-acquisition solutions too, likely through an assortment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
Pakistan Navy Inducts ex-Qatari Sea King Helicopters
On 24 January 2022, the Pakistan Navy (PN) announced that it inducted second-hand Sea King helicopters from the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF). The PN assigned the helicopters to its No.111 Squadron.
Don't Stop Here. Unlock the Rest of this Analysis Immediately
To read the rest of this deep dive -- including the honest assessments and comparative analyses that Quwa Plus members rely on -- you need access.
