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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
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
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.
| 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 |
|---|
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| 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 |
| Max firing range Maximum range of the main gun or rocket artillery (with assisted/extended-range munitions where noted). Higher extends reach. | 56 km |
Protection
Armor, countermeasures and survivability.
| 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.
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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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