The Japanese Type 99 Self Propelled Gun

The Japanese Type 99 Self Propelled Gun

Due to the restrictions placed on Japan from selling its Armoured Vehicles abroad, it doesn’t market them, therefore there is lesser information available for research. The Type 99 SPG’s development started back in the 1980’s with developments in an increase in the main guns calibre length to 39 from the Type 75’s 30 and an increase to 600hp, so as to provide a higher level of mobility.

It entered production with Mitsubishi and Japanese Steel Works in 2002 and is being manufactured at a rate of 7 to 8 a year to replace the Type 75 SPG artillery.

The Japanese Type 99 Self Propelled Gun Spec’s

Weight 40 tons
Width 3.2 m
Crew 4
Calibre 155 millimetres (6.1 in)
Traverse 360°
Rate of fire 6 rpm
Armour aluminium
Primary
armament 1x 155 mm howitzer
Secondary
armament 1x 12.7 mm M-2HB machine gun
Engine Mitsubishi 6SY31WA 6-cylinder diesel
600 bhp
Suspension torsion bar
Operational
range 300 km (185 mi)
Speed 49.6 km/h