China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is advancing the development of a new 155mm naval gun system, potentially the largest of its kind in active service worldwide. The weapon, which fires 6.1-inch artillery shells, has recently undergone sea trials aboard an experimental vessel, marking a significant step toward deployment.

The experimental warship Wu Yunduo was observed conducting testing near Dalian in northeast China during early May, returning approximately two weeks later. The 6,000-tonne ship, identified as the test platform, was photographed in February with the large-caliber gun mounted on its bow at the Liaonan Shipyard in Dalian, Liaoning province. Initial sightings of the gun appeared last year during transport, with production completed in March 2025 by China North Industries Group Corporation, commonly known as Norinco. The system weighs nearly 22 tonnes and is capable of firing guided munitions. Its turret design incorporates stealth features to reduce radar detection.

This development challenges the prevailing naval warfare trend, which has emphasized air superiority, precision-guided missiles, and autonomous systems, often relegating large-caliber naval guns to secondary roles like shore bombardment. The new 155mm gun surpasses the caliber of existing Chinese naval artillery, which primarily includes 130mm guns on newer destroyers and smaller-caliber weapons on frigates and amphibious ships.

Military analysts suggest the weapon aims to provide cost-effective, high-volume fire support for amphibious operations. Given the PLAN’s strategic focus on potential Taiwan contingencies, where bombardment of coastal defenses would be critical to support landing forces, the gun offers an affordable alternative to missiles for suppressing enemy positions. According to Fu Qianshao, a military analyst and former PLA Air Force member, the naval guns can deliver firepower comparable to a land-based artillery battalion and provide flexible coverage.

Retired PLA Colonel Yue Gang emphasized the gun’s extended range potential, estimating it could reach between 100 and 200 kilometers when using specialized extended-range ammunition. Such a capability would allow warships to strike targets farther inland while minimizing exposure to hostile shore-based weapons. However, Yue noted that effective operation at these distances would require external targeting support, such as drones, for fire correction and damage assessment.

Beyond shore bombardment, the gun may have other applications, including air defense against drones and cruise missiles and countering unmanned surface vessels through rapid-fire barrages. Smaller calibers with high rates of fire are typically preferred for missile defense, but the 155mm system could complement existing close-in weapon systems (CIWS) by providing an additional layer of protection or engaging low-value targets in cost-sensitive scenarios.

The new naval gun is expected to align with the PLA Ground Force’s standard 155mm artillery shells, enhancing logistical efficiency by sharing ammunition and development costs between services. This interoperability is seen as a strategic advantage, streamlining supply chains and leveraging existing munitions technology.

While China continues to experiment with advanced weapons such as electromagnetic railguns and high-energy lasers, the conventional 155mm naval gun offers a mature, rapidly deployable solution. The PLAN’s amphibious ships currently have limited fire support capability, with smaller-caliber guns and CIWS primarily aimed at air defense. Integrating the 155mm system could significantly augment fire support for amphibious assaults and other naval missions.

China’s pursuit of this artillery system occurs amid ongoing regional tensions around Taiwan, which Beijing asserts as a part of its territory subject to reunification by force if necessary. While many countries do not officially recognize Taiwan as independent, several, including the United States, oppose any unilateral use of force and maintain arms support to the island.

The PLAN’s new naval gun thus represents both a practical enhancement in firepower and a strategic element within broader military planning related to Taiwan and regional maritime operations.