Type 74

The Type 74 (74式戦車 nana-yon-shiki-sensha?) is a main battle tank (MBT) of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). It was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as a replacement for the earlier Type 61. It was based on the best features of a number of contemporary designs, placing it in the same class as the US M60 or German Leopard 1. Like these designs, it mounts the Royal Ordnance L7 105 mm gun. The design did not enter widespread use until 1980, by which point other western forces were starting the introduction of much more capable designs.

History
The JGSDF started studies on a new tank design with Mitsubishi in 1962, as it was realized that the Type 61 would not be able to defeat the latest Soviet designs like the T-62. Features from several designs were incorporated, including the controllable suspension of the MBT-70, the rolled steel hull of the Leopard 1, and the L7 105mm gun. Features unique to the design included a rotating cupola for the commander, and a new autoloader for the main gun. The design was finalized in 1964 and various test rigs were built between 1964 and 1967.

The first prototype, designated STB-1, was delivered in late 1968 and underwent a number of modifications until 1969. The autoloader proved too complex and expensive, and was removed, additionally the remote controlled anti-aircraft machine gun was removed. The design of the turret was also changed, becoming longer. These changes resulted in the STB-3, which was delivered in 1971. The final prototype designated STB-6 was delivered in 1973. Production finally started as the Type 74 in September 1975, with 225 being delivered by January 1980. Production ended in 1989, with total production running to 893 examples.

In service, the tanks were updated with the addition of infra-red imagers (not image intensifiers) for the commander and gunner, and a laser rangefinder in the commander's cupola. The gunner's position included a digital fire control computer, fed range data from the commander's range finder. Rounds for the main gun were upgraded from HEP to APFSDS and HEAT-MP.

The Type 74 was generally outdated even before it entered service. The Type 90 was to have replaced it outright, but with the ending of the Cold War these plans were scaled back. In 1993 four Type 74's were improved to the new Type 74 Kai (改) [Type 74 mod G (G型)] standard, adding a passive infrared camera, side skirts, and so on. The upgrade proved to be extremely expensive, and the program was dropped.

Variants
Rear view.Front view.*Type 74 first mod (74式戦車 初期生産型)
 * Type 74 mod B (74式戦車 B型)
 * Type 74 mod C (74式戦車 C型)
 * Type 74 mod D (74式戦車 D型)
 * Type 74 mod E (74式戦車 E型)
 * Type 74 mod F (74式戦車 F型)
 * Type 74 mod G/Kai (74式戦車 G型/改)
 * Type 87 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (87式自走高射機関砲)
 * Type 78 Armoured recovery vehicle (78式戦車回収車)
 * Type 91 Armoured vehicle-launched bridge (91式戦車橋)

Operators
Japan - 893 produced between September 1975 and 1989, with 225 being delivered by January 1980. 822 in service in 1990, 870 in service in 1995 and 2000, 700 in service in 2006.[1]