08 February 2021

PLA continues modernising land equipment in Xinjiang Military Command

by Gabriel Dominguez

China is continuing to modernise the equipment and enhance the combat capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force’s (PLAGF’s) Xinjiang Military Command.

Only a few days after announcing that the China North Industries (Group) Corporation (Norinco) Type 15 (also known as ZTQ-15) lightweight tank had entered service with the command, state-owned broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) said in a 6 February news report that PLAGF units in the region have also been supplied with several other land platforms. These platforms included 155 mm PCL-181 wheeled self-propelled howitzers (SPHs), CSK181 wheeled armoured vehicles, and wheeled bridging systems.

A screenshot from CCTV footage showing a commissioning ceremony for at least 18 Norinco PCL-181 SPHs. The systems entered service with a PLAGF artillery brigade near Tianshan in Xinjiang. (CCTV)

Footage published in CCTV’s ‘Military Report’ programme showed a commissioning ceremony for at least 18 PCL-181s. It is unclear when exactly the ceremony took place but the broadcaster said the vehicles recently entered service with an artillery brigade near Tianshan.

The 22-tonne SPH, which is manufactured by Norinco and has the export designation SH-15, features an automatic gun-laying system, a semi-automatic ammunition loading system, a digitised control board, and also has room for six personnel in the cabin area (including the driver). According to Norinco, the SH-15, which is based on a truck chassis and is capable of travelling at a top speed of 90 km/h on roads, is fitted with a 155 mm L52 howitzer capable of firing between four and six rounds per minute.

China is continuing to modernise the equipment and enhance the combat capabilities of the People’s L...

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