Defence
Pakistan Army Chief Praises Chinese VT-4 Tanks And SH-15 Howitzers That Were Recently Deployed Along The Line Of Control
Ujjwal Shrotryia
Aug 10, 2023, 12:58 PM | Updated 12:58 PM IST
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Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir praised the capabilities of the recently purchased Chinese-origin VT-4 tanks and SH-15 self-propelled howitzers (SPH).
The Pakistani Army Chief visited a firing range near Jhelum, specifically the Tilla field firing range, where he inspected the shoot and scoot capabilities of the SH-15 SPH.
Pakistan acquired over 300 VT-4 tanks and 236 SH-15 howitzers from China. The first batch was delivered in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
The ISPR, the media division of the military, quoted General Munir as highlighting the vigilance of Pakistan Army in the face of existing and evolving challenges. He added that the Army possess the necessary capabilities to thwart any malicious intentions from adversaries across the full spectrum of threats.
“Pakistan Army was alive to the existing and emerging challenges and possessed the wherewithal to thwart nefarious designs of its adversaries through the entire gamut of threat,” stated the Pakistani Army Chief.
These VT-4 tanks and SH-15 SPHs are expected to primarily serve an offensive role against India as part of the Pakistan Army's strike formation, Mangla Corps.
According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Pakistan has also procured an additional 674 VT-4 tanks, which will be assembled under license within Pakistan.
The SH-15 howitzers, along with some unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) purchased from China, have also been deployed by the Pakistani Army along the Line of Actual Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
These howitzers, along with certain Chinese UAVs, have been observed in specific areas along the LoC, confirmed an Indian Army official.
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Editorial Associate at Swarajya. Writes on Indian Military and Defence.
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