Meticulous maintenance process in Hokkaido ensures optimal performance for Japan’s main battle tank
Chitose, Japan – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is conducting a rigorous maintenance and overhaul program for its Type 10 main battle tanks at its specialized facility in Chitose, on the island of Hokkaido. The initiative aims to restore the tanks to their original performance levels after years of intensive use, significantly extending their operational lifespan.
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Known as the “overhaul and repair” process, this is a critical mid-life intervention. Tanks and other tracked vehicles operate for decades under harsh conditions, requiring full disassembly, meticulous inspection, and detailed restoration to maintain their battlefield effectiveness.
Images released by MHI show a Type 10 turret undergoing precise inspection at a dedicated station, where highly trained technicians use tools such as 3D coordinate measuring machines and non-destructive inspection methods to detect micro-cracks and fatigue signs invisible to the naked eye.
The Chitose facility serves as the national center of excellence for this work, receiving dozens of vehicles annually from military units across Japan. The process is carried out under strict quality control and involves a series of standardized steps, including careful disassembly, specialized welding, structural restoration, engine and transmission testing, and thorough checks of turret and hull systems.
In service since 2012, the Type 10 is Japan’s most advanced tank, designed for high mobility on the country’s rugged terrain. Equipped with modular armor, network-centric warfare capability, and a domestically manufactured 120 mm gun, the vehicle forms the backbone of Japan’s ground armored forces. However, as MHI emphasizes, maintaining its strategic edge depends on continued overhaul and technical upgrade efforts.
With this initiative, Japan strengthens its ability to keep modern military vehicles operating at peak performance, ensuring the readiness of the Self-Defense Forces amid growing geopolitical challenges in the region.
Source and images: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
