Jean Basile Some
PCL-181 is China's most advanced self-propelled artillery system, which can quickly deploy to the Indian border if a conflict breaks out.
China's central broadcaster on June 28 released images of the PCL-181 self-propelled artillery batteries in January in the Tibet region, close to the disputed border with India.
Self-propelled howitzer PCL-181 during the parade ceremony on January 1, 2019 Photo: SCMP
Since the tensions between the Indo-China border erupted in May, Beijing has deployed a range of modern weapons to Tibet, including weapons designed specifically for combat in mountainous terrain,
Modern features, along with the ability to transport by air from Tibet to the Indian border, make PCL-181 one of the weapons that China can prioritize using if the border tension with
The PCL-181 self-propelled howitzer was launched during the 70th anniversary parade of the Chinese National Day on October 1, 2019.
The PCL-181 system is mounted on a wheeled chassis, has a cavity of 30 rounds of 155 mm and reaches a total weight of 25 tons, neatly located in the Y-9 engine transport compartment.
The cockpit is large enough to accommodate all 6 crew members, equipped with bulletproof glass to increase the survivability of the soldiers.
"Weapons such as PCL-181 are useful in the mountains, because the parabolic trajectory allows the bullets to cross the top of the mountain to hit the target on the other side. This is not possible with shots.
Type-15 tanks exercise in Tibet in mid-June Photo: 81.cn
US military expert Kris Osborn evaluated PCL-181 self-propelled howitzer, showing that China is increasingly attaching importance to expeditionary operations, which emphasizes flexibility and quick deployment.
The PCL-181 cannon is highly maneuverable and quick to deploy to support mountainous campaigns.
The tire chassis is more defensive and maneuverable on the terrain than the crawler chassis of many self-propelled artillery systems such as the Russian Msta-S or the American M109 Paladin.
China seems to be considering a plan to use Y-20 transport to bring self-propelled artillery into battle.
In the strategy of modernizing the US military, the M109 self-propelled artillery is designed to conduct expeditionary combat, to support armored brigades when maneuverable and needs to be protected from enemy fire.
"These factors show that US 155 mm caliber guns still have a certain advantage over China PCL-181. However, the semi-automatic loading mechanism, rapid firing technology, and careful fire control.
