A new 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer has been spotted in China, according to images circulating on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.
A new 155mm self-propelled howitzer, believed to be the PLZ-051B, and an accompanying ammunition resupply vehicle were seen during field trials, according to images published on Weibo.
The photographs show a tracked artillery system widely believed to be the PLZ-051B, a next-generation platform designed to increase battlefield automation and firepower and developed on the SH16 turret platform. Defense analysts describe the system as incorporating a fully autonomous 155mm turret, making it one of the most advanced howitzers.
According to open-source reports, the PLZ-051B requires only two crew members for operation—a driver and a gunner/commander—thanks to its modular unmanned turret. This design features integrated subsystems for firepower, information and control, chassis operation, and support functions.
The system reportedly combines high levels of automation with a focus on rapid deployment and sustained fire capability. The ammunition resupply vehicle, spotted on the same tracked chassis, is expected to play a key role in extending the operational endurance of the artillery unit.
China has invested heavily in modernizing its artillery forces over the past decade. The PLZ-051B may represent a step toward replacing older systems while positioning the PLA to respond more effectively in high-intensity conflicts.
Further details about the system’s range, rate of fire, and battlefield integration have yet to be confirmed.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include a comment that a new self-propelled howitzer has been developed based on the turret system of the SH16 howitzer.