Reference photo · Configuration may differ
Credit
Airwolfhound from Hertfordshire, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source ↗ · Modified
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At a glance
AS90larger figure on 1 of 3
PCL-181larger figure on 2 of 3
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
Measured figures
Cummins VTA-903T-660 14.8 L (900 cu in) V8 diesel at 2,800 rpm
Single sourceCummins VTA-903T-660 14.8 L (900 cu in) V8 diesel 490 kW (660 hp) at 2,800 rpm[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
Configuration
| Specification | AS90 | PCL-181 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Self-propelled howitzer[source] | Self-propelled howitzer[source] |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom[source] | China[source] |
| In service | 1992–present[source] | 2019–present[source] |
| Used by | See Operators[source] | See § Operators[source] |
| Wars | Yugoslav Wars (peacekeeping) Iraq War Russo-Ukrainian War[source] | 2025 India–Pakistan conflict[source] |
| Designed | 1982–1987[source] | — |
| Manufacturer | Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited[source] | Norinco[source] |
| Produced | 1992–1995[source] | — |
| No. built | 179[source] | — |
| Variants | See Variants[source] | — |
| Barrels | L31 ordnance with double-baffle muzzle brake[source] | 52 caliber[source] |
| Breech | Split-block[source] | Semi-automatic vertical wedge type breech block[source] |
| Recoil | 2 diametrically opposed buffers & 1 recuperator 800 mm (31 in) max length[source] | — |
| Elevation | +1,244 mils (+70°) elevation -89 mils (-5°) depression[source] | Around 20° to 70° (except for front due to cab)[source] |
| Traverse | 6,400 mils (360°)[source] | 360°[source] |
| Armour | All-welded steel armour 17 mm (0.67 in) max thickness[source] | — |
| Main armament | BAE Systems' 155 mm L/39 (48 rounds)[source] | PLL-01 155 mm howitzer gun[source] |
| Secondary armament | 7.62 mm L7 Machine Gun[source] | — |
| Drive | Tracked[source] | 6×6[source] |
| Transmission | ZF Friedrichshafen LSG 2000 Automatic 4F2R[source] | — |
| Suspension | Hydropneumatic[source] | hydropneumatic suspension[source] |
| Ground clearance | 410 mm (16 in)[source] | — |
| Fuel capacity | 750 L (160 imp gal)[source] | — |
| References | Janes[source] | — |
| Designer | — | Nanjing University of Science and Technology[source] |
| Engine | — | diesel[source] |
| Reported operators |
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