Japan retires its last Type 74 tank after 50 years of service. Photo and video: Reproduction Twitter @J_STORES_
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces have recently completed the decommissioning of the Type 74 tank, which has been in operation since 1975.
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Created by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the tank was developed with inspiration from the Leopard 1 from Germany, AMX-30 from France, and T-62 from the Soviet Union, aiming to surpass them in mobility and armor.
The Type 74, which served as one of Japan’s main armored vehicles along with the Type 90 and the more modern Type 10, began to be phased out in 2018. This process is part of a broader plan that foresees replacing this model with the wheeled Type 16 tank, specialized in anti-tank combat.
Over the years, the Type 74 underwent several updates, but its basic structure, designed in the 1960s, became obsolete. With a total of 893 units produced, the tank was initially equipped with a licensed copy of the Royal Ordnance L7 105 mm cannon and was notable for its innovative hydraulic suspension, which allowed adjustments in tilt and height.
Although planned, significant upgrades such as the installation of explosive reactive armor and modern thermal imaging systems and ballistic computers were limited due to high costs and the end of the Cold War.
With the completion of the decommissioning, Japan closes an important chapter in the history of its ground defense, adapting to new technologies and modern combat requirements.
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Photo and video: Reproduction Twitter @J_STORES_. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
