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NORINCO

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Artillery & MLRS China flagChina

NORINCO

SH16A

An 8x8 wheeled, unmanned-turret 155 mm/52-caliber self-propelled howitzer NORINCO unveiled at IDEX 2025 for the Middle East export market. Built on the VN-22 armoured chassis with a remote-controlled rear turret and 30-round magazine autoloader, it is marketed as a mobile, protected NATO-caliber system alongside China's earlier truck-mounted PCL-181/PLZ-05 designs. NORINCO declined to disclose full technical details at the show; figures below are as publicly reported by trade press.

In service since 2025

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-24

110

km/h

155

mm gun

Several performance figures for China-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed; manufacturer declined to release full specifications at IDEX 2025

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Chinese state channel

State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.

Channel: State export agency

Fielded & proven

Operator data not public

In service since 2025. Status: active.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →

Interoperability

155 mm NATO artillery

Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Performance specifications
Max speed

Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance.

110 km/h
Top 1% of artillery systems

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Firepower specifications
Main armament

Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type.

155 mm/52-caliber howitzer
Caliber

Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better, ammunition commonality matters.

155 mm
Guidance

How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire.

Laser-guided projectiles, top-attack munitions
Ammunition

Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity.

30
Stronger than 54% of artillery systems
Max firing range

Maximum range of the main gun or rocket artillery (with assisted/extended-range munitions where noted). Higher extends reach.

56 km
Stronger than 66% of artillery systems

Protection

Armor, countermeasures and survivability.

Protection specifications
Armor

Armor technology: composite, modular, ERA-fitted, uranium-ceramic. Exact compositions are classified.

STANAG 4569 Level 4

Specifications compiled from public NORINCO and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-24.

Compare with rivals

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Frequently asked questions

What is the top speed of the NORINCO SH16A? +

The NORINCO SH16A has a maximum speed of 110 km/h.

What is the main armament of the NORINCO SH16A? +

The NORINCO SH16A's primary weapon is the 155 mm/52-caliber howitzer.

How much does the NORINCO SH16A cost? +

NORINCO SH16A: Unit cost not publicly disclosed; manufacturer declined to release full specifications at IDEX 2025. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.

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