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At a glance
Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer
Measured figures
Length
Single source11.21 m (36.8 ft)[source]
Configuration
| Specification | Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer | Type 99 155 mm self-propelled howitzer |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Self-propelled howitzer[source] | Self-propelled howitzer[source] |
| Place of origin | Japan[source] | Japan[source] |
| In service | 2020–…[source] | 1999 –…[source] |
| Used by | Japan |
Type 99 155 mm self-propelled howitzerlarger figure on 3 of 5
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
gun front
Single source11.3 m (37 ft) (gun front)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
see Operators[source] |
| Designer | Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency[source] | Technical Research and Development Institute[source] |
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| Designed | 2013–2018[source] | 1994–1999[source] |
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| Manufacturer | Japan Steel Works[source] | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (hull), Japan Steel Works (gun, turret)[source] |
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| Unit cost | see Operators[source] | 960 million yen[source] |
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| Produced | 2019–…[source] | 1999–2022[source] |
|---|
| No. built | 70 (2026)[source] | 136[source] |
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| Breech | interrupted screw[source] | — |
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| Main armament | 155 mm/L52 howitzer gun[source] | 155 mm /L52 howitzer gun[source] |
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| Power/weight | 17.6 hp/t (13.1 kW/t)[source] | 15 hp/t[source] |
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| Transmission | ZF 12 AS 23010D AS-Tronic ( AMT ) (12 front/ 2 rear) MAN G172 transfer case (high/low range) with engageable front axles[source] | — |
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| Role | Japanese wheeled 155 mm self-propelled howitzer[source] | — |
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| Source measurement | The Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer ( 19式装輪自走155mmりゅう弾砲 , Hitokyuu-shiki-sourin-jisou-155mm-ryuudan-hou ) is a Japanese wheeled 155 mm self-propelled howitzer . The vehicle is designed to replace Japan's inventory of FH70 towed howitzers. The Type 19 continues to serve exclusively in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force as a more affordable counterpart of the Type 99 155 mm self-propelled howitzer .[source]Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In 2011, the Japanese Ministry of Defence evaluated a proposal to develop a vehicle capable of networking with other systems and performing shoot-and-scoot tactics to replace the FH70 towed 155 mm howitzer. The evaluation concluded in 2012 and the ministry requested 6.4 billion yen to be invested into the development of the vehicle in the fiscal year (FY) 2012 defence budget. The initial request was declined, only to be approved the following year. Research and development funds for the 155 mm wheeled howitzer were granted in the FY 2013 defence budget, although the budget was lowered to 1.4 billion yen. That marks the official beginning for the development of the Type 19 155 mm self-propelled howitzer.[source]Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The new self-propelled howitzer was to make use of off-the-shelf technologies. To reduce development costs, the initial plan was to mount the howitzer gun from the Type 99 155 mm self-propelled howitzer on a heavy recovery vehicle chassis. As the limitations of that option became clear during development and Japan had no other suitable chassis available – developing a proprietary chassis was deemed financially unfeasible –, an existing foreign 8×8 chassis was chosen instead. Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles ' HX44M became the chassis of the Type 19, which was produced under licence by Japan Steel Works .[source]Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage On 31 May 2018, the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) received 5 prototypes from Japan Steel Works for testing and evaluation. Testing concluded in 2019, when the Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer was accepted into Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Service. Seven wheeled howitzers were procured for training purpose in the FY 2019 defence budget for a total of 5.1 billion yen.[source]Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Type 19 155 mm self-propelled howitzer uses Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles' HX44M 8×8 chassis from the company's HX2 series of tactical military trucks. Japan Steel Works produces the chassis under licence domestically.[source]Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer · Design / Chassis; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The howitzer gun is a modified version of the 155 mm 52- calibre gun used on the Type 99 155 mm self-propelled howitzer. As the gun is externally mounted, it was modified to remove the smoke extractor of the propellant gasses (present on the Type 99).[source]Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer · Design / Gun; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Type 19 uses the same shells and propellant charges as the Type 99. Having the same howitzer gun also implies that the effective firing range is very similar – 30 km (19 mi) using standard shells and 40 km (25 mi) when using base bleed shells. In September 2024, Japan placed an order for Leonardo 's guided long-range Vulcano 155 GLR shells, received the first batch in December, and began the integration process into the Type 19.[source]Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer · Design / Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage HE shell: Range: ≤ 30 km (19 mi)[source]Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer · Design / Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Type 93 base bleed shell: Range: ≤ 40 km (25 mi)[source]Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer · Design / Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Vulcano GLR : Range: ≤ 70 km (43 mi) Guidance: autonomous IMU + GPS Combined with a quadcopter drone for targeting in Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service.[source]Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer · Design / Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Procurement of the Type 19 155 mm self-propelled howitzer started in 2019. Prototypes were first revealed to the public in 2019 during the annual live fire exercises held at the East Fuji Maneuver Area. The first production vehicle belonging to an artillery training unit appeared a year later during the 2020 live fire exercises. Type 19s are expected to arm units that operate the FH70 towed howitzer, as the latter are gradually phased out of service.[source]Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer · Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In 2025, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force tested long-range shells and propellant charges for the Type 19 in the Yuma Proving Ground . It was not possible to test the long-range ammunition in Japan. For the same reason, Japan is going to dispatch Type 19s to the United Kingdom for testing Vulcano GLR shells in QinetiQ 's MOD Aberporth testing range.[source]Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer · Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage | — |
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| Traverse | — | 360°[source] |
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| Armor | — | aluminium[source] |
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| Secondary armament | — | 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun[source] |
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| Suspension | — | torsion bar[source] |
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Operational; Operational range
Single source