Testing, improvements (Turret and half Modular type ceramic composite armour), and designs were modified and constructed until 1986.Ī second series of four prototypes was built between 19 which incorporated changes as a result of trials with the first two prototypes. Requirements of the Type 90 were completed in 1980 with two prototypes, both armed with a Japanese 120 mm gun (product by Japan Steel Works Limited) firing Japanese ammunition (product by Daikin Industries Limited), completed in 1982 to 1984. Major subcontractors include Japan Steel Works, Daikin Industries, Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu and NEC. Joint development was performed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and leadership of TRDI (Japan Defence Agency's Technology Research and Development Institute). As a result, development of a prototype, the TK-X MBT began between 19. So, Chi-Ha means 'The third developed medium tank'.The Type 90 has an approximate unit cost of 790 million Japanese yen or approximately 7.4 million US dollars at 2008 exchange rates.Īfter the adoption of the Type 74, the Japanese High Command was already looking for a superior, completely indigenous tank design to defeat the Soviet T-72. Japanese alphabet is as follows: I(Yi) Ro Ha Ni Ho He To Chi Ri Nu Ru. The second portion of the name is a Japanese alphabet and it shows the order of development. The first portion of the tank name indicates its classification, so Chi indicates the medium tank. In order to create less confusion, the Japanese devised various designations such as 'Chi' (the abbreviation of 'Chiu', meaning Medium), 'Te' (tankette) and 'Ke' (assault gun). Tanks can be introduced in the same year. The Mitsubishi Zero entered service in 1940 which was the Japanese year 2600, thus it was designated Type 0. A 'Type 97' was accepted for service in the year 2587 (1937 AD). SENSHAN - Japanese Armored Vehicles of the Second World WarĪfter 1929, equipment including tanks and aircraft was given a Type number based on the last two digits of the year counted from the founding of Japan in 660BC by Emperor Jimmu.Rottman (Elite) Paperback – October 21, 2008 World War II Japanese Tank Tactics by Gordon L.Pride before the Fall: Why Japan Failed at Tank Warfare.TM-E 30-480: Handbook on Japanese Military Forces.HANDBOOK ON JAPANESE MILITARY FORCES TM-E 30-480 WAR DEPARTMENT.Zaloga (Author), Peter Bull (Illustrator) Japanese Tanks 1939–45 (New Vanguard) Paperback – Augby Steven J.

Japan military uniform type 90 tanks