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Self-propelled howitzer
Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer is a self-propelled howitzer originating in Japan. It was built by Japan Steel Works. Reported operators include Japan.
JapanType 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer
Hunini · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source ↗ · ModifiedTechnical data
Self-propelled howitzer
Japan
2020–…
Japan
Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency
2013–2018
Japan Steel Works
see Operators
2019–…
70 (2026)
25.0 t (55,100 lb)
11.21 m (36.8 ft)
2.50 m (8.2 ft)
3.40 m (11.2 ft)
5 (driver, gunner, commander, 2 loaders)
155 mm
interrupted screw
6 rpm
30 km (19 mi) (standard) 40 km (25 mi) ( base bleed )
155 mm/L52 howitzer gun
MAN D2066 440 hp (330 kW) (1900 rpm)
17.6 hp/t (13.1 kW/t)
ZF 12 AS 23010D AS-Tronic ( AMT ) (12 front/ 2 rear) MAN G172 transfer case (high/low range) with engageable front axles
800 km (500 mi)
90 km/h (56 mph)
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 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 .
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.
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 .
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.
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.
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).
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.
HE shell: Range: ≤ 30 km (19 mi)
Type 93 base bleed shell: Range: ≤ 40 km (25 mi)
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.
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.
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.
Reference text from Wikipedia contributors, used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer equipment records. Variants, orders and quantities are shown as reported in each inventory source; coverage is incomplete.
JapanGround Self-Defense Force exact named equipment holdings: Type-19. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / SP 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
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