Myanmar Defence Review reported that since 2015, SH-1 155 mm self-propelled howitzers were spotted on many occasions including the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) Day parade. The SH-1 (PCL-09) self-propelled howitzer was developed by NORINCO for the export market. Pakistan acquired a total of 90 SH-1 truck-mounted howitzers. Deliveries were completed between 2012 and 2013. The SH-1 was aimed mainly at export as the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) use a PCL-09 155 mm self-propelled howitzer. PCL-09 artillery system was first revealed in 2007 and was first commissioned in 2009.
It was modeled after a French CAESAR (CAmion Équipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie) self-propelled 155 mm/52-calibre gun-howitzer. Being a wheeled self-propelled howitzer, SH 1 is easy to produce and maintain but as capable as tracked artillery system. However, it is much more mobile than the towed howitzers and thus well suited for mountainous regions of Myanmar. That is the main reason why Myanmar bought a large number of SH 1 howitzers in the early 2010s. Currently, there are as many as 72 SH 1 howitzers in Myanmar inventory and they are used extensively in many counter-insurgency operations.
The SH-1 self-propelled artillery system is fitted with the ordnance of an AH-2 155 mm/L52 howitzer. It is compatible with all standard 155 mm NATO ammunition, as well as ammunition developed by NORINCO. SH 1 can fire a range of ammunition, including Extended-Range, Full-Bore, Rocket-Assisted, High-Explosive (ERFB-RA/HE), and Extended-Range Full-Bore, Base-Bleed, High-Explosive (ERFB-BB/HE). The claimed maximum range of fire is 53 km which was achieved with a rocket-assisted V-LAP projectile using charge zone 10. In addition, this artillery system can use Chinese GP1 precision-guided munitions, based on the Russian Krasnopol laser-guided projectile technology.
The maximum rate of fire is up to 4-6 rounds per minute. Conversion time from firing to traveling order is only 1 minute. So this howitzer can briefly fire a couple of shells and leave its firing position before hostile forces open a counter-battery fire. The SH-1 artillery system uses a Wanshan WS5252 6×6 truck chassis. It is powered by a 330 hp diesel engine. This artillery system is highly mobile and can self-deploy over long distances. It can be airlifted by most medium transport aircraft. An armored cab protects against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters.
