The SH-1 is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer developed by China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO) for the export market. The artillery system has been in development since 2002, the was first revealed during the 2007 Abu Dhabi International Defence Exhibition (IDEX 2007) held between 18 and 22 February. The vehicle is highly mobile with a maximum road speed of 90km/h. The artillery was not intended for the domestic market, but it may be adopted by the PLA in the future if proven to be a successful design.

In 2007 China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) revealed that they had completed development of a new 155 mm/52 calibre self-propelled (SP) (6 × 6) artillery system called the SH1.

According to NORINCO, development of this system commenced in 2002 and so far two examples have been completed, one prototype and one pre-production system.

Another source however, states that the system is already in low rate initial production (LRIP) to meet the requirements of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Details of the SH1 155 mm/52 calibre self-propelled artillery system were released at the same time as details of the SH2 122 mm self-propelled artillery system which is mounted on a different 6 × 6 cross-country truck chassis.

SHI has a combat weight of about 22 tonnes and is normally operated by a crew of five who are seated in the armour protected four door cab towards the front of the chassis to the rear of the diesel powerpack. Mounted on the cab roof is a 12.7 mm machine gun for local and air defence purposes.

The main armament of the SH1 is a 155mm/52-calibre howitzer, which can fire a range of ammunitions developed by NORINCO, including: Extended-Range, Full-Bore, Rocket-Assisted, High-Explosive (ERFB-RA/HE) and Extended-Range Full-Bore, Base-Bleed, High-Explosive (ERFB-BB/HE). When using the ERFB-BB/HE round, the howitzer can reach a maximum range of 53km. The howitzer can also fire the 155mm semi-active laser-guided projectile developed by NORINCO based on the Russian Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) 152mm Krasnopol projectile. In addition, the howitzer is able to use the standard NATO 155mm ammunitions. The vehicle carries 20 rounds onboard. Secondary weapon includes a 12.7mm QJC88 anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the roof of the driving cab.

The artillery system is mounted on a 6X6 wheeled chassis with a forward engine and an armour-protected driving cab. The vehicle can climb a 1.2m-high vertical obstacle, and has a maximum road speed of 90km/h. The vehicle is equipped with two hydraulically operated stabilisers which are lowered in preparation for the firing. The howitzer barrel is electric-operated, with an elevation of 0~70 degrees. The artillery system has a combat weight of 22 tonnes, and is operated by a crew of five.

The SH1 is equipped with a computerised fire-control system, with a muzzle velocity sensor which feed the data directly to the fire-control computer. The artillery system is equipped with navigation, positioning, targeting, and communications systems, all of which adopt the modular design for easy maintenance and upgrade. The onboard communication system enables the artillery system to be connected into the C4ISR network of an artillery company or battalion for information sharing and automated command and control.