The Japanese Type 75 155mm Self Propelled Gun

The Japanese Type 75 155mm Self Propelled Gun

The Japanese Type 75 155mm Self Propelled Gun is the current principal artillery Self Propelled Gun of the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force. it’s a much larger and more powerful in lethality compared to the Type 74, but is not a replacement as Japan is a cluster of nearly 7000 islands! And about 70% to 80% of the country is forested, mountainous and unsuitable for agricultural, industrial, or residential use.

Japan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, which means space is at a premium and there are limitations on its transportation network. Both these factors mean it has to operate a mixture of vehicles (including tanks) of varying size. The main gun is 155mm in bore calibre and 30 calibre in length.

The Type 75 design was almost parallel time wise, running prototypes were completed in 1972 and differed only in their loading systems. Trials were conducted 1973-4 and the howitzer was accepted for service in October 1975. Some publications claim that only 200 were built, however 201 were reported to be in service in 2008.

The Japanese Type 75 155mm Self Propelled Gun Spec’s

Designed 1969-1975
Produced 1975-1988
Number built 201
Weight 25,300 kilograms (24.9 LT; 27.9 ST)
Length 21ft 9in (6.64 m) (hull)
Barrel length 4.65 metres (183 in) L/30
Width 10ft 1in (3.09m)
Height 8ft 4in (2.55m)
Crew 6 (commander, driver, two gunners, layer and radio operator)
Shell separate-loading, bag charge
Calibre 155 millimetres (6.1 in)
Elevation -5° to +65°
Traverse 360°
Rate of fire 6 rpm
Effective range 19,000 metres (21,000 yd) (HE)
Maximum range 24,000 metres (26,000 yd) (rocket-assisted)
Armour aluminium
Primary
armament 1x 155 mm JSW howitzer
Secondary
armament 1x 12.7 mm M-2HB machine gun
Engine Mitsubishi 6ZF 6-cylinder diesel
450 bhp
Suspension torsion bar
Ground clearance 40 centimetres (16 in)
Fuel capacity 650 litres (143 Imp. gallons)
Operational
range 300 km (185 mi)
Speed 47 km/h (29 mph)