SOURCE: AFI
As tensions escalate along the Line of Control (LoC) following the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, Pakistan has intensified its military buildup, deploying advanced Chinese-made SH-15 155mm truck-mounted howitzers. This move, part of a broader defense enhancement involving air defense units, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and military exercises like Fiza-e-Badr, Lalkar-e-Momin, and Zarb-e-Haideri, aims to counter India’s formidable artillery capabilities, particularly the K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzer.
The SH-15, acquired by Pakistan under a 2019 agreement with China’s NORINCO, is a 155mm/52-caliber wheeled howitzer mounted on a 6×6 Shaanxi truck chassis, designed for mobility and rapid deployment. With a range of 20 kilometers using conventional shells and up to 53 kilometers with rocket-assisted projectiles, the SH-15 boasts a fire rate of 4-6 rounds per minute and is operated by a crew of five. Its bulletproof cabin and computerized fire control system enhance survivability and targeting accuracy, while its lightweight 22-ton design suits diverse terrains, including hilly regions along the LoC. Pakistan’s deployment of approximately 52-200 SH-15 units, intended to replace older U.S.-made M109A5 howitzers, reflects its strategic reliance on Chinese technology to bolster firepower.
In contrast, India’s K-9 Vajra, a 155mm/52-caliber tracked self-propelled howitzer developed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) with technology from South Korea’s Hanwha Defense, is a battle-proven system tailored for versatility. Inducted in 2018, the K-9 Vajra achieves a similar range of 50-52 kilometers and a superior fire rate of 6-8 rounds per minute, supported by a digital fire control system and inertial navigation for precise targeting. Its 50-ton tracked chassis ensures exceptional mobility and endurance in deserts, mountains, and high-altitude regions like Ladakh, where it was deployed during the 2020 India-China standoff. The K-9’s Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) mode allows three shells to hit a target simultaneously within 15 seconds, a capability unmatched by the SH-15. Additionally, its all-welded steel armor protects against 14.5mm armor-piercing rounds and 152mm shell fragments, offering robust crew safety.
Indian experts highlight the K-9 Vajra’s tactical advantages, particularly its “shoot and scoot” capability, which enables rapid repositioning to evade counter-battery fire. The tracked design provides better stability and mobility in rugged terrains compared to the SH-15’s wheeled chassis, which may struggle in mountainous areas. India’s nearly 100 K-9 Vajra units, with another 100 on order, are complemented by the indigenous Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, creating a formidable artillery ecosystem. The Indian Army’s ongoing modernization, including plans for 200 additional K-9s and the DRDO-developed Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), further widens the capability gap.
Pakistan’s SH-15 has been marketed as “nuclear-capable,” raising concerns about its potential to deliver miniaturized nuclear warheads within a 53-kilometer range, which could threaten Indian border cities. However, experts question Pakistan’s ability to develop a 155mm nuclear shell, given the technical complexity of miniaturizing warheads to fit such a caliber. The U.S. W-48 nuclear shell, for instance, required a 280mm caliber, and Pakistan’s nuclear expertise, built on acquired technology, may not support such advancements without significant R&D investment. Indian analysts argue that the SH-15’s nuclear capability remains speculative and that its conventional performance lags behind the K-9 Vajra’s proven reliability.
The SH-15’s deployment is seen as part of China’s strategy to keep India engaged on its western border, diverting resources from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Alongside SH-15 howitzers, Pakistan has acquired NORINCO AR-1 300mm rocket launchers and reportedly explored Chinese DF-17 hypersonic missiles to counter India’s S-400 air defense system. Yet, Indian military officials remain confident in the K-9 Vajra’s dominance, citing its combat experience in Ladakh and superior fire control systems. Posts on X reflect similar sentiment, with users noting the K-9’s edge in range and mobility, though some highlight Pakistan’s growing SH-15 inventory as a concern.
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