Japan unveils MBT prototype

Japan's Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) has unveiled the prototype of the TK-X, its new ultra-light main battle tank (MBT).

Designed to replace the ageing Type 74 and Type 90 MBTs, the '3.5-generation' tank was debuted at the Ground Systems Research Centre in mid-February.

The 40-ton tank - which has a crew of three and was designed to be lightweight in order to comply with Japanese road laws - is 10 tons lighter than the Type 90. Laws banning heavy vehicles meant that the Type 90 could not operate outside Hokkaido, except at certain training facilities. However, the TK-X is light enough to be transported on standard, commercial trailers.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is the main contractor for the TK-X, according to Colonel Hajime Oouti, chief of the TRDI's New Tank Development Section.

The tank's 120 mm smoothbore gun was developed by Japan Steel Works, which also produces the Rheinmetall L44 120 mm smoothbore gun for the Type 90 under licence. It will fire a newly developed type of ammunition, dubbed 'armour-piercing ammunition III'. The two-man turret has a more advanced automatic loading system than the Type 90 which would be a particular advantage during operations on uneven terrain.