Type 99 155 mm self-propelled howitzer

Type 99 155 mm self-propelled howitzer
Type 99 of the JGSDF
Type	Self-propelled artillery
Place of origin	Japan
Service history
In service	1999
Used by	Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Production history
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries/Japan Steel Works
Produced	1999–2022[1]
No. built	117
Specifications
Mass	40 tons
Width	3.2 m
Crew	4
Caliber	155 millimetres (6.1 in)
Traverse	360°
Rate of fire	6 rpm
Armor	aluminum alloy
Main armament	1x Japan Steel Works, 155 mm/L52 artillery gun
Secondary armament	1× 12.7 mm M-2HB machine gun
Engine	Mitsubishi 6SY31WA 6-cylinder diesel 600 bhp
Suspension	torsion bar
Operational range	300 km (185 mi)
Maximum speed	49.6 km/h

The Type 99 155 mm self-propelled howitzer (99式自走155mm榴弾砲, kyuu-kyuu-shiki-jisou-155mm-ryuudan-hou) is a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, which was developed as the successor to the Type 75 155 mm self-propelled howitzer.

History

Research and development for a successor to the Type 75 155 mm self-propelled howitzer started in 1985. The new weapon would have a 155 mm gun barrel 52 calibers long (L52) instead of the 30 calibers (L30) barrel of the Type 75, and would mount the latest fire-control system. Japan Steel Works was the primary contractor, developing and manufacturing the main gun and turret. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was tasked to design the chassis.

The designing stage cost 5 billion yen and was completed in 1992. After various technical and practical tests, the first vehicle was delivered to the training division of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in 1999.^[2]

Characteristics

The Type 99 uses a modified chassis from the Mitsubishi Type 89 IFV, lengthened with an additional road wheel. It has a 52 caliber gun barrel. The secondary armament consists of a roof-mounted .50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine gun, fitted with a shield. The armor provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. The vehicle is powered by a diesel engine, providing 600 horsepower. A travel lock for the gun is mounted on the front of the hull, which folds back onto the glacis plate when not in use. The howitzer is resupplied from the Type 99 ammunition resupply vehicle.

Operators

 JPN

Rear quarter view

• Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
  • Fuji School
    • Fuji School(Combined Training)Brigade
      • JGSDF Artillery School Unit
    • Ordnance School
  • Northern Army
    • 2nd Division
      • 2nd Artillery Regiment(Mechanized)
    • 5th Brigade
      • 5th Artillery Unit
    • 7th Division
      • 7th Artillery Regiment(Mechanized)
    • 11th Brigade
      • 11th Artillery Unit (Mechanized)
  • Northern Army Combined Brigade
    • 1st Sergeant Training Unit

Similar vehicles

• AS-90 – (United Kingdom)
• AHS Krab – (Poland)
• 2S19 Msta-S – (Soviet Union, Russia)
• Panzerhaubitze 2000 – (Germany)
• K9 Thunder – (South Korea)
• PLZ-05 – (China)

References

1. "（案）広報誌「ちゅうごくしこく」第５５号" (PDF) (in Japanese). JP: MoD.
2. 99式自走155mm榴弾砲. 戦車研究室