Type 90 tank vs Vickers MBT: Specs Compared

FORCETALLY

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Type 90 tank — licensed reference photograph

ATanks

Type 90 tank

Main battle tank

Credit

refeia · CC BY 2.0 · Resized · CC BY 2.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

Vickers MBT — licensed whole-equipment photograph

BTanks

Vickers MBT

Main battle tank

Credit

Biswarup Ganguly · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized / optimized · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

First system

Second system· Tanks only

At a glance

Side by side

Length comparisonOne shared metre scale

Type 90 tankLength

9.76 m

Length source ↗

Vickers MBToverall gun forward

9.73 m

Length source ↗

Lengths retain their source configuration and measurement scope.

Type 90 tanklarger figure on 2 of 4

Width+8%
Mass+32%

Vickers MBTlarger figure on 2 of 4

Height+4%
Crew

True scale

Compare in 3D

Type 90 tank × Vickers MBT

Side by side. From every angle. A human reference for perspective.

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Type 90 tankExterior shape

Vickers MBTExterior shape

Dimensions, sources & model information

Model dimensions — scaled from a sourced figure; other values approximate
Model	Length	Width / span	Height
Type 90 tank	≈ 9.76 m	≈ 3.43 m (Width)	≈ 2.76 m
Vickers MBT	≈ 9.73 m	≈ 3.17 m (Width)	≈ 3.05 m

Type 90 tank

Scaled uniformly to the sourced length of 9.76 m. The width was fitted to the sourced 3.43 m. Not an official model or a measured survey.

Type 90 tank — Wikipedia (revision 1374018964) ↗ · accessed 2026-09-28

Vickers MBT

Scaled uniformly to the sourced length of 9.73 m. The width was fitted to the sourced 3.17 m. Not an official model or a measured survey.

Vickers MBT — Wikipedia (revision 1364833807) ↗ · accessed 2026-09-28

The human reference is a generic 1.75 m figure. Models describe external size, not combat performance.

Measured figures

Head to head

20 of 35 rows sourced on both sides

9.76m

9.73moverall gun forward

Length

All recorded figures & sources

9.76 m

Length

Single source

9.76 m^[source]

9.73 m

overall gun forward

Single source

Configuration

Details

Type 90 tank and Vickers MBT configuration
Specification	Type 90 tank	Vickers MBT
Type	Main battle tank^[source]	Main battle tank^[source]
Place of origin	Japan^[source]	United Kingdom^[source]
Designer	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries / Japan Ministry of Defense Technology Research and Development Institute^[source]	Vickers^[source]
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries^[source]

Unit cost	JPY¥800 Million (2009)^[source]	—

Produced	1990–2009^[source]	1964–1994^[source]

No. built	341^[source]	—

Armor	Modular ceramic composite armour^[source]	—

Main armament	Rheinmetall 120mm L/44 smoothbore gun with automatic loader^[source]	1 x 105 mm L7A1 gun (44 rounds)^[source]

Secondary armament	M2HB 12.7 mm machine gun Type 74 7.62 mm machine gun^[source]	1 x 12.7 mm L6A1 ranging machine gun with 700 rounds 1 x 7.62 mm MG (pintle mount) with 1,300 rounds 1 x 7.62 mm MG (coax) with 1,300 rounds^[source]

Power/weight	30 hp/tonne^[source]	13.79 bhp/t^[source]

Transmission	Mitsubishi MT1500 automatic transmission (4 forward gears, 2 reverse gears )^[source]	Merrit-Wilson TN-12 (6 fwd / 2 rev) with a triple differential steering system^[source]

Suspension	hydropneumatic^[source]	Torsion bars^[source]

Role	main battle tank (MBT) of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF)^[source]	series of main battle tanks (MBTs)^[source]

Source measurement	A first series of two prototypes of the Type 90 were developed, both armed with a Japanese 120 mm smoothbore gun (produced by Japan Steel Works Limited) firing Japanese ammunition (produced by Daikin Industries Limited).^[source]Type 90 tank · History; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage A second series of four prototypes was built between 1986 and 1988, incorporating changes resulting from trials with the first two prototypes. These were armed with the Rheinmetall 120 mm smoothbore gun also fitted to the German Leopard 2 and, in a modified version, the US M1A1/M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks. These second prototypes were used for development and then user trials, all of which were completed by December 1989, before Japan formally introduced the Type 90 in August 1990. Mass production began in 1990, and 30 vehicles were produced by the end of the year.^[source]Type 90 tank · History; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage With the exception of the 120 mm smoothbore gun, which is made under license from Rheinmetall of Germany , the Type 90 and its subsystems are all designed and built in Japan, leading to higher per unit costs than comparable models from NATO countries such as the M1 Abrams and the Challenger 2 . Development of upgrades to the Type 90 suffered both as a result of limited budget, which caused procurement delays, and funding prioritization in favor of the Type 10 main battle tank . Due to a perception that Type 90s are unsuited to operations in the tight confines of Japan's urban areas, they are preferentially assigned to the JGSDF Fuji School Brigade and the 7th Armored Division based in Hokkaido , where there is sufficient room for maneuver.^[source]Type 90 tank · History; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Type 90 mounts a Rheinmetall L44 120 mm smoothbore cannon licensed produced by Japan Steel Works Limited. This is the same gun that is mounted on the German Leopard 2 , the American Abrams , and the South Korean K1A1 tank. Before Rheinmetall's gun was selected, Japan had successfully produced a domestic version of the 120 mm smoothbore for testing, but the lower cost of the Rheinmetall gave it an advantage over the domestic version. .^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Armament; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Since its introduction there have been several upgrades to the fire-control system , including the addition of a Yttrium-Aluminium-Garnet laser rangefinder with a range of 300 to 5,000 meters, a 32-bit ballistics analysis computer, improved thermal imaging and Automated-tracking systems, and improved gun stabilization. The FCS also has an automated tracking system, and is capable of engaging moving or stationary targets while moving in day or night. The automatic target tracking system uses a thermal image display which can be controlled by either the tank gunner or commander. It is capable of tracking soldiers, vehicles and helicopters. The targeting computer can also calculate lead on moving targets.^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Armament; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The commander's sight consists of a 3× / 10× (day-only sight). The sight can track vertically from −29 to +29 degrees, as well as track horizontally through 180 degrees. The gunners sight has a 10 x magnification.^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Armament; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The gun is armed and loaded by a mechanical bustle autoloader (conveyor-belt type) developed by Mitsubishi of Japan. As with autoloader-equipped Russian main battle tanks, the French Leclerc , and the Swedish Strv 103 , the Type 90 achieves manpower savings by reducing the crew to three. Its ability to operate without a loader also allows the use of a smaller turret. The practical auto-loading and firing cycle for one target is around 4–6 seconds.^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Armament; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Mounted in front of the gunner's hatch on the turret is the ubiquitous Browning M2 machine gun , manufactured under license by Sumitomo Heavy Industries , part of the Sumitomo Group . In addition to the .50-caliber machine gun, a Japanese-built 7.62 mm machine gun is mounted coaxially to the left of the main gun.^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Armament; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Type 90 is smaller than most main battle tanks with a height of 2.33 metres (7.6 ft), a width of 3.33 metres (10.9 ft), and a weight of 50.2 metric tons (55.3 short tons). It was designed with a distinctive low-slung turret with boxy, vertical sides and a long overhanging bustle . In comparison, the Leopard 2A4's dimensions are 2.48 metres (8.1 ft) high and 3.70 metres (12.1 ft) wide with a weight of 55.2 metric tons (60.8 short tons).^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Armor; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The powerpack of the Type 90 tank has the Mitsubishi 10ZG32WT 10-cylinder two-stroke cycle diesel engine providing 1500 hp, coupled with Mitsubishi MT1500 automatic transmission with four forward and two reverse gears, manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (designated 10ZG32WT, MT1500). The development of the 10ZG32WT prototype was started in 1972 and was finished in 1982. It can attain a top output of 1,120 kW (1,500 horsepower @15min).^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Mobility; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense official data report, the acceleration of the type is 0–200 m in 20 seconds.^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Mobility; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Being 12 tonnes heavier than its predecessor, the Type 74, the Type 90 was found to be more challenging to operate around Japan, with the exception of Hokkaido. Some politicians therefore criticized the effectiveness of Type 90 due to difficulty in transportation. In fact, more than 65% of major bridges in Japan were still considered passable for the Type 90, while overseas main battle tanks, such as Challenger 2 and Leopard 2, could only use 40% of bridges in Japan.^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Transportation; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage	The Vickers MBT followed on from a 24-tonne 20-pdr gunned tank design intended for export. This would be as well equipped as a Centurion but substantially cheaper and with eight Vickers Vigilant anti-tank missiles it would be as effective. However, with the introduction of the 105 mm L7 gun into the British, US and German tank designs, this light tank would have been less powerful while too large for the reconnaissance role, and so a new design was required. With armour twice that of the light tank design, it would still be 12 tonnes lighter than Centurion and hence more mobile. The design would use the new engine and transmission of the Chieftain tank then being developed. The development coincided with an agreement with India in 1961 to produce a tank design and help set up a factory there to produce it.^[source]Vickers MBT · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Vickers was made of welded rolled homogeneous armour plates. It weighed 38,600 kg, carried a 105 mm gun with 44 rounds and had a top speed of 48 km/h. 70 tanks were sold to Kuwait and many of a modified version were made in India where the tank was called Vijayanta .^[source]Vickers MBT · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The 1968 proposal for a vehicle specification that differed from the Mark 1 in the following respects:^[source]Vickers MBT · Other developments / Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 2; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Improved track, suitable for 56 km/h (35 mph) continuously.^[source]Vickers MBT · Other developments / Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 2; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Provision for fitting four Swingfire wire-controlled anti-tank missiles (intended as a response to weapons of greater range, such as the 120 mm L11 tank gun.

Source measurement

A first series of two prototypes of the Type 90 were developed, both armed with a Japanese 120 mm smoothbore gun (produced by Japan Steel Works Limited) firing Japanese ammunition (produced by Daikin Industries Limited).^[source]Type 90 tank · History; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

A second series of four prototypes was built between 1986 and 1988, incorporating changes resulting from trials with the first two prototypes. These were armed with the Rheinmetall 120 mm smoothbore gun also fitted to the German Leopard 2 and, in a modified version, the US M1A1/M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks. These second prototypes were used for development and then user trials, all of which were completed by December 1989, before Japan formally introduced the Type 90 in August 1990. Mass production began in 1990, and 30 vehicles were produced by the end of the year.^[source]Type 90 tank · History; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

With the exception of the 120 mm smoothbore gun, which is made under license from Rheinmetall of Germany , the Type 90 and its subsystems are all designed and built in Japan, leading to higher per unit costs than comparable models from NATO countries such as the M1 Abrams and the Challenger 2 . Development of upgrades to the Type 90 suffered both as a result of limited budget, which caused procurement delays, and funding prioritization in favor of the Type 10 main battle tank . Due to a perception that Type 90s are unsuited to operations in the tight confines of Japan's urban areas, they are preferentially assigned to the JGSDF Fuji School Brigade and the 7th Armored Division based in Hokkaido , where there is sufficient room for maneuver.^[source]Type 90 tank · History; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The Type 90 mounts a Rheinmetall L44 120 mm smoothbore cannon licensed produced by Japan Steel Works Limited. This is the same gun that is mounted on the German Leopard 2 , the American Abrams , and the South Korean K1A1 tank. Before Rheinmetall's gun was selected, Japan had successfully produced a domestic version of the 120 mm smoothbore for testing, but the lower cost of the Rheinmetall gave it an advantage over the domestic version. .^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Armament; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Since its introduction there have been several upgrades to the fire-control system , including the addition of a Yttrium-Aluminium-Garnet laser rangefinder with a range of 300 to 5,000 meters, a 32-bit ballistics analysis computer, improved thermal imaging and Automated-tracking systems, and improved gun stabilization. The FCS also has an automated tracking system, and is capable of engaging moving or stationary targets while moving in day or night. The automatic target tracking system uses a thermal image display which can be controlled by either the tank gunner or commander. It is capable of tracking soldiers, vehicles and helicopters. The targeting computer can also calculate lead on moving targets.^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Armament; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The commander's sight consists of a 3× / 10× (day-only sight). The sight can track vertically from −29 to +29 degrees, as well as track horizontally through 180 degrees. The gunners sight has a 10 x magnification.^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Armament; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The gun is armed and loaded by a mechanical bustle autoloader (conveyor-belt type) developed by Mitsubishi of Japan. As with autoloader-equipped Russian main battle tanks, the French Leclerc , and the Swedish Strv 103 , the Type 90 achieves manpower savings by reducing the crew to three. Its ability to operate without a loader also allows the use of a smaller turret. The practical auto-loading and firing cycle for one target is around 4–6 seconds.^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Armament; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Mounted in front of the gunner's hatch on the turret is the ubiquitous Browning M2 machine gun , manufactured under license by Sumitomo Heavy Industries , part of the Sumitomo Group . In addition to the .50-caliber machine gun, a Japanese-built 7.62 mm machine gun is mounted coaxially to the left of the main gun.^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Armament; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The Type 90 is smaller than most main battle tanks with a height of 2.33 metres (7.6 ft), a width of 3.33 metres (10.9 ft), and a weight of 50.2 metric tons (55.3 short tons). It was designed with a distinctive low-slung turret with boxy, vertical sides and a long overhanging bustle . In comparison, the Leopard 2A4's dimensions are 2.48 metres (8.1 ft) high and 3.70 metres (12.1 ft) wide with a weight of 55.2 metric tons (60.8 short tons).^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Armor; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The powerpack of the Type 90 tank has the Mitsubishi 10ZG32WT 10-cylinder two-stroke cycle diesel engine providing 1500 hp, coupled with Mitsubishi MT1500 automatic transmission with four forward and two reverse gears, manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (designated 10ZG32WT, MT1500). The development of the 10ZG32WT prototype was started in 1972 and was finished in 1982. It can attain a top output of 1,120 kW (1,500 horsepower @15min).^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Mobility; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense official data report, the acceleration of the type is 0–200 m in 20 seconds.^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Mobility; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Being 12 tonnes heavier than its predecessor, the Type 74, the Type 90 was found to be more challenging to operate around Japan, with the exception of Hokkaido. Some politicians therefore criticized the effectiveness of Type 90 due to difficulty in transportation. In fact, more than 65% of major bridges in Japan were still considered passable for the Type 90, while overseas main battle tanks, such as Challenger 2 and Leopard 2, could only use 40% of bridges in Japan.^[source]Type 90 tank · Design / Transportation; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The Vickers MBT followed on from a 24-tonne 20-pdr gunned tank design intended for export. This would be as well equipped as a Centurion but substantially cheaper and with eight Vickers Vigilant anti-tank missiles it would be as effective. However, with the introduction of the 105 mm L7 gun into the British, US and German tank designs, this light tank would have been less powerful while too large for the reconnaissance role, and so a new design was required. With armour twice that of the light tank design, it would still be 12 tonnes lighter than Centurion and hence more mobile. The design would use the new engine and transmission of the Chieftain tank then being developed. The development coincided with an agreement with India in 1961 to produce a tank design and help set up a factory there to produce it.^[source]Vickers MBT · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The Vickers was made of welded rolled homogeneous armour plates. It weighed 38,600 kg, carried a 105 mm gun with 44 rounds and had a top speed of 48 km/h. 70 tanks were sold to Kuwait and many of a modified version were made in India where the tank was called Vijayanta .^[source]Vickers MBT · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The 1968 proposal for a vehicle specification that differed from the Mark 1 in the following respects:^[source]Vickers MBT · Other developments / Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 2; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Improved track, suitable for 56 km/h (35 mph) continuously.^[source]Vickers MBT · Other developments / Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 2; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Provision for fitting four Swingfire wire-controlled anti-tank missiles (intended as a response to weapons of greater range, such as the 120 mm L11 tank gun.