Japan to procure additional Type 10 tanks, Type 19 howitzers

The Type 10 MBT has a typical combat weight of 44 tonnes, although it can be stripped down to 40 tonnes for improved transportability via road, rail, or sea. This feature enables the tank to be rapidly deployed across the Japanese home islands. (Japan Ground Self-Defense Force)

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) will procure additional Type 10 main battle tanks (MBTs) and 155 mm/52 calibre Type 19 self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) in fiscal year (FY) 2024, a spokesperson for the Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) told Janes in mid-October.

The spokesperson said the additional howitzers and tanks to be procured would have the same specifications as the Type 10 MBTs and Type 19 SPHs in service with the JGSDF.

The MoD has no plans to modernise or upgrade the Type 10 MBT or Type 19 SPH, the spokesperson added.

In addition, the spokesperson said the MoD currently has no plans to manufacture or procure new types of howitzers, tanks, and multiple rocket launchers (MRLs).

In its 2024 defence budget, the MoD allocated JPY16.8 billion (USD112 million) and JPY15.1 billion to procure 10 Type 10 MBTs and 16 Type 19 SPHs respectively.

According to Janes World Armies, the JGSDF operates 111 Type 10 MBTs, the first of which were delivered in 2012.

The Type 10 is manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and features a 120 mm smoothbore main armament and a 1,200 hp engine. It is envisaged that the Type 10 will replace the remaining Type 74s and some of the Type 90s in service with Japan.