Japan’s Ministry of Defense has formalized the acquisition of a new batch of Type 10 main battle tanks, reinforcing its modernization plans for the Ground Self-Defense Forces.
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The contract, signed on March 27, 2025, includes the production of 10 units by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, totaling an investment of 102.37 million US dollars.
The signing of the contract was announced by the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), and the tanks will be exclusively used to expand the fleet of Type 10s, a state-of-the-art vehicle in Japan’s ground arsenal.
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In addition to this initial batch, the Ministry of Defense plans to order 2 more tanks later in 2025, bringing the total number of vehicles acquired in this cycle to 12 units. A total budget of 146.56 million US dollars has been allocated for this complete package, including logistics and support.
According to 2022 data, the unit cost of a Type 10 tank without logistical support was around 9.5 million dollars (1.4 billion yen).
Since the beginning of the program, Japan has received 148 Type 10 tanks from Mitsubishi. The Ministry’s goal is to reach a total of 300 units, with production extended at least until 2032.
In parallel, an additional contract was signed on March 31, 2025, for the purchase of a Type 11 armored recovery vehicle, based on the Type 10 chassis. The acquisition is valued at 8.5 million US dollars.
The Type 10 is widely considered one of the most modern tanks in Asia, standing out for its mobility, advanced electronics, and ability to operate efficiently in mountainous terrain — a key requirement for the Japanese archipelago.
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Source: Japan Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) | Images: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force – X @JGSDF. This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
