New photos have for the primary time confirmed that the Chinese language SH16 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer is present process area trials. Photos launched on Chinese language social media exhibiting an unknown howitzer have been broadly reported to be the following era system, which is predicted to enter service earlier than 2027, and could also be formally unveiled on the Individuals’s Liberation Army’s upcoming landmark army parade on September 3, 2025. The system is predicted to introduce a lot of revolutionary new options, one among which is a modular unmanned turret that reduces crew necessities to simply two personnel — one driver and one gunner/commander. The automobiles are anticipated to mix excessive ranges of automation with a give attention to speedy redeployment capabilities and speedy sustained firing charges.The SH16’s is a complete system that comes with a turret with subsystems for firepower, data and management, whereas sustaining a turret weight of beneath 14 tons enhance mobility. With a barrel size that’s 52 occasions its 155mm caliber, the howitzer’s vary and accuracy are anticipated to be distinctive.
The SH16’s predecessor in service, the the PLZ-05, has already been thought-about a world chief in its capabilities because it entered service in 2008, and nonetheless stays one of many latest designs on the planet. Only a few different international locations having developed a clear sheet excessive calibre self propelled howitzers for the reason that finish of the Chilly Warfare. The system entered service in 2008, and makes use of a semi-automatic loading system that may fireplace busts of as much as 4 rounds each fifteen seconds, with a sustained fee of fireplace of eight to 10 rounds per minute. Absolutely automated deployment permits for crew to stay contained in the car whereas working it. The system is unrivalled in its engagement vary with the power to strike targets as much as 100km away utilizing WS-35 rounds. The SH16 is predicted to additional enhance on these capabilities, widening the hole between the PLA Floor Power’s’ artillery and people of rival providers overseas. Advances in China’s floor forces have typically been overshadowed by these in its Navy and Air Power, primarily resulting from the truth that any battle between the nation and the Western Bloc states is predicted to happen at sea. The speed of advances have nonetheless remained excellent.
