FORCETALLY
Loading the evidence…
Preparing your view.
Preparing your view.
TanksIn service
Main battle tank
Type 90 tank is a main battle tank originating in Japan. It was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
JapanMain battle tank
Japan
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries / Japan Ministry of Defense Technology Research and Development Institute
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
JPY¥800 Million (2009)
1990–2009
341
50.2 tonnes
9.76 m
3.43 m
2.34 m
3
Modular ceramic composite armour
Rheinmetall 120mm L/44 smoothbore gun with automatic loader
M2HB 12.7 mm machine gun Type 74 7.62 mm machine gun
Mitsubishi 10ZG32WT 10-cylinder, two-stroke cycle, 1,500 hp/2,400 rpm diesel 21.5 litre
30 hp/tonne
Mitsubishi MT1500 automatic transmission (4 forward gears, 2 reverse gears )
hydropneumatic
350 km
70 km/h
The Type 90 tank ( 90式戦車 , Kyū-maru-shiki-sensha ) is a main battle tank (MBT) of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).
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).
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.
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.
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. .
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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).
According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense official data report, the acceleration of the type is 0–200 m in 20 seconds.
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.
Reference text from Wikipedia contributors, used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
True scale
Sourced dimensions beside a 1.75 m human reference.
See it in your room. Scan with your phone to open this model in 3D, then place it in your space.
Points represent sourced observations, including revisions. Revisions on the same effective date are not separate inventory events. Ranges appear in the table and are not plotted as exact points.
| Observation / report period | Value | Source | Claim state |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Sept 2026 | 3 people | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
Type 90 tank 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-90. 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: ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES / MBT. 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.
Keep exploring
Main battle tank
ChinaCompare with Type 90 tank Main battle tank
ChinaCompare with Type 90 tank Main battle tank
United KingdomCompare with Type 90 tank Main battle tank
United KingdomCompare with Type 90 tank Main battle tank
Compare with Type 90 tankMain battle tank
ChinaCompare with Type 90 tank