Another derived vehicle, the tracked Type 96 120mm Self-Propelled Mortar is also in service, as the only SPAAG, the Type 87 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun. There are also two types of ammo supply vehicles, the Type 87 and 99, both tracked. The bulk of ported artillery capabilities are provided by Mitsubishi’s Type 99 SPG and the license-built (by Hitachi) M110 Self-propelled Howitzer, while rocket firing tracked M270 MLRS (also license-built, by IHI Aerospace). In total, this represents around 2870 vehicles. Nissan Motors Aerospace was responsible for a series of MCV (mine-clearance vehicles) based on the Type 90.

Komatsu and its subcontractors usually provide the wheeled vehicles, APCs like the Type 82 Command, Type 87 armored recce, Type 96 APCs, specialized Chemical and NBC recce vehicle, a light 4×4 armored scout. Previous MBTs like the Type 61 MBTs are now discarded. The tracked APCs Type 73 provided the bulk of the type with 338 machines. Outside a wheeled tank destroyer similar to the Italian Centauro, the only IFV today in service with the JSDGF is the Type 89 also produced by Mitsubishi (89). Most tracked vehicles are produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and their suppliers. Although both the Japanese and Chinese navy are mostly involved in recent territorial disputes, the growth of the Chinese Army and the ever-present threat of the conventional army of North Korea are sufficient to maintain a ground force ready to repel any invasion or intervene on a nearby disputed zone that imposes a quick reaction force… The JSDGF todayĪs of today, the armored forces have 280 Type 74 MBTs, 341 Type 90, and 53 Type 10 in service (674 total). China military power raised in a spectacular manner, and the level of potential threats (outside terrorism, an asymmetric menace) shifted south-west, towards Beijing. In effect, the economic growth of Japan triggered an unprecedented financial boom in the whole Asian Area, from Korea to Indonesia. With the end of the cold war and the Soviet menace the Northwest, there were some budget cuts, but not as severe as in the US and some European countries.

Japan stuck to a strict non-interventionist policy, but assisted allied US Forces, in Korea and provided again support for the duration of the Vietnam War.

Type 16 Manoeuvre Mobile Combat Vehicle (MCV).

Type 1 Technical (Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series).About 4,000 armored vehicles 1990-2016 Tanks

Japan modern battle tank