Land Weapons

Main Battle Tank (1975)

Mitsubishi

Type 74 MBT

Type 74 MBT (JGSDF)
Type 74

Following the development of the Type 61, the JGSDF saw the need for a more advanced main battle tank that would remain competitive against potential threats throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The result was the Type 74 which featured numerous advances compared to its predecessors that helped it narrow the capability gap with US and European designs. The Type 74 packed a far more powerful punch thanks to the use of the tried and tested British L7 105-mm gun, the same used on numerous NATO tanks including the Leopard 1, M60, and early M1s. Armor was also upgraded significantly although it remains classified. The Type 74 also featured a unique hydropneumatic suspension that enabled it to be lowered at the front and increased at the rear to improve the vehicles depression. This was a similar mechanism as that found on the Swedish S-tank (Strv 103) as well as the US/German MBT-70 prototype. Aside from that, the design was largely conventional compared to its contemporaries, and featured extensive locally-produced equipment including the laser rangefinder, ballistic computer and stabilizer. Deep fording capability was also added thanks to a schnorkel, as was NBC protection. Despite these advances, development was delayed and once the first deliveries were made in the 1970s, new and significantly more advanced NATO third-generation tanks were nearing completion. Eventually remaining Type 61 and 74 units were replaced by the more modern Type 90.

Design of a follow up to the Type 61 began in 1964 as the STB-1 with an automatic loader. This was removed in the STB-3 which was followed by the final STB-6 prototype before production of the Type 74 in 1975. Variants include the Type 78 Armored Recovery Vehicle and the Type 87 SPAAG armed with twin 35-mm Oerlikon KDA cannons.

Preceded by:

Type 61 MBT (1962)

Succeeded by:

Type 90 MBT (1991)

Datafile

DesignType 74
TypeMain Battle Tank
Year1975
Crew4
Dimensions
Length (w/Gun)21 ft 12 in (30 ft 11 in)
Width10 ft 5½ in
Height8 ft 2 in
Ground Clearance0 ft 0 in
Track0 ft 0½ in
Track on Ground0 ft 0½ in
Weight
Combat83,776 lbs
Empty80,028 lbs
Ground Pressure12.23 psi
SuspensionHydropneumatic Active
Performance
Speed (Off-Road)37 mph
Range (Off-Road)249 mi
AmphibiousNo
Fording3 ft 3 in (7 ft 7 in)
Vertical Obstacle3 ft 3 in
Trench9 ft 10 in
Gradient60%
Side Slope40%
Powerplant
Engine1 x 720-hp
Mitsubishi
10Z F Fype 22 WT
FuelDiesel: 251 gal
Power/Weight18.95 hp/t
Armament
Main1 x 105-mm L/52
L7A3

Rifled Gun
↑ 15° / ↓ -12° / ↔ 360°
SecondaryCoaxial:
1 x 7.62-mm
Type 74 HTMG
Anti-Aircraft:
1 x 12.70-mm
M2HB .50 cal
Ammo7.62-mm: 4,500
Armor
TypeSteel
Thickness190 - 195 mm
Max Effective190 - 195 mm RHAe
Hull Upper Front190 mm
Turret Front195 mm
Production
Built873
Total873

Gallery