List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force

The following is a list of equipment currently in service with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

Name	Used by	Notes	Period used
Type I Camouflage [ja]	1st Airborne Brigade, JGSDF Air Defense Artillery Groups	Also known as "Old Camo" or "Airborne Camo", it is the first camo scheme adopted by Japan after World War II. It is based on Hokkaido's wilderness (effective in Sasa veitchii field). The shades become distinguishable after wash, and the pattern itself doesn't match to the environment in mainland Japan, leading to the introduction of Type II camouflage.	1970s–1990s (still in limited use in 2014)
Type II camouflage [ja]	Currently used by the JGSDF, the JMSDF, Japan National Defense Academy cadets, and JASDF Air Rescue Wings Pararescuemen.	Second domestically designed pattern. Made from 50% cotton/50% vinylon or 70% vinylon/30% cotton. The earlier model had anti-IR/flame-resistant fabric, but the latter lacks the feature.	1991–present
Type II brown-dominant winter pattern [ja]	JGSDF	Darker contrast on Type II Flecktarn camo to fit the color of winter plants. Used on JGSDF Type-2 Camouflage Cold Weather Field Parka and Trousers(防寒戦闘服外衣, 戦闘外被, or shortly 外被).	1991–present
Type III camouflage [ja]	Recently adopted by the JGSDF	Modified from ''Type II'' pattern with a 50% cotton/50% vinylon or 70% vinylon/30% cotton fabric (depending on the year of contract/manufacturer) and other changes including a change in the front closure, a mandarin collar, Velcro cuffs and pocket lids, wider pen pockets, a loop inside the right chest pocket for ID card chain, two calf storage pockets, and knee pads in the trousers. The back pocket on the trousers has been eliminated. The belt (made from the same fabric) comes with a name tag, unlike the former Type II Combat Uniform/Type II Camouflaged Work Uniform. The Type III Combat Uniform/Type III Camouflaged Work Uniform（戦闘服3型・迷彩作業服3型, or shortly 戦闘服）has the same pattern as the Type II camouflage. Each soldier receives two sets of the Type III Work Uniform after enlisting, and after the boot camp each soldier receives two sets of Type III Combat Uniform, Airborne Uniform or Tank Uniform, depending on the unit the soldier belongs to. The Combat Uniform and Camouflaged Work Uniform are identical to each other, except for the product tag. Commercial version of the item (100% polyester version, cotton/poli version etc.) is no longer authorized to be used, including the vinylon/cotton fabric version. The use of commercial combat cap in vinylon/cotton fabric is authorized. The commercial versions have slightly different shades.	2007–present
JGSDF Desert camouflage	JGSDF International Peace Cooperation Activities Training Unit, JGSDF Central Readiness Force	Adopted by the JGSDF for Middle Eastern deployments. This camo is a desert version of the JGSDF's flecktarn pattern. The first unit using this particular camouflage was the Central Readiness Force during the 4th DAPE (Deployment Air Force for Counter-Piracy Operation) in the Gulf of Aden.	June 2010–present

Name	Description	Image
Combat Loading Set [ja]	Miscellaneous clothing.
Combat Rainwear [ja]	Issued as a personal item.
Combat Boots Type 2 [ja]	Jungle boots with kevlar-like lining, the same model issued as a personal item is called "半長靴3型 (Boots Type 3 [ja])"
Cold-Weather Boots	Compatible with military issue cross-country skis
Work Jacket	Issued as personal item. Intended to be used in cold seasons over the work uniform. Consists of two chest pockets and two lower pockets (with flaps without closures).
Combat Underwear Type 2	Khaki flame-resistant T-shirt, mainly used for ceremonial purposes.
Cold-Weather Combat Uniform Inner (Under)	A long-sleeved shirt and matching pants, made from thin synthetic fabric.
Cold-Weather Combat Uniform Inner (Outer)	Acryl sweater and matching pants, comes with a buttoned collar which is worn folded.
Name tags	Unlike the rank/skill insignias (in a green shade of the current camo), usually the name tags are in the olive drab of the Type 65 Work Uniform. Since the army regulation doesn't mention the name tags, each unit has its own regulation for the tags. Therefore, the layout, length, font, letters (Japanese or Latin alphabet), placement, method of attachment (either sewing or using velcro) etc. vary. Some troops do not use name tags for winter jackets.
Shoulder pouch	May be purchased individually, since the combat uniform doesn't have shoulder pockets. There are various commercial versions. Some troops use the velcro version to attach unit patches, insignias etc..
Tracksuits and running shoes	Recruits are required to buy their own tracksuits and a pair of running shoes upon enlistment. Called the "ジャー戦 (Jaasen, literally jersey and combat uniform)", it is composed of a combat jacket, combat cap, trackpants and sneakers. This uniform code is often used in boot camp for jogging, eating in canteen or bathing.
部隊識別帽 (Baseball Cap)	Many troops use baseball caps with the troop's logo instead of the issued combat cap. Since it is unofficially introduced, it is not provided by the Force. There are no standards for the cap, although, in many cases the cap has the soldier's family name on top of the left ear.
CAB Clothing Coolnice 2 Pack OD T-shirts	Issued to some troops during the 2011 Tohoku campaigns.
Carabiner	May be purchased individually, to attach it to the either right or left waist tab on the combat uniform to hang gloves or combat cap.

Name	Type	Description
Type 66 helmet	Helmet	Largely replaced by the Type 88 helmet. Like the American M1 helmet upon which it was based, it is made of iron alloy.
Type 88 Helmet	Helmet	Japanese version of Kevlar PASGT helmet, replacing Type 66 helmet.
FAST helmet	Helmet
Combat Bullet-Proof Vest [ja]	Bullet-proof vest	The first body armor to be fully introduced by the Japan Self-Defense Forces in 1992. It is one piece of equipment adopted as part of the combat wear set, and is modeled after the US military's PASGT.
Type 2 bullet-proof vest [ja]	Bullet-proof vest	The Type 2 bullet-proof vest is the successor to the Combat Bulletproof Vest, and like the Combat Bulletproof Vest, it uses the same camouflage as the Type 2 Camouflage Uniform.
Type 3 bullet-proof vest [ja]	Bullet-proof vest	It is a successor to the Type 2 bullet-proof vest, which has been deployed since the early 2000s, and was first procured under the fiscal year 2012 budget.
Type 18 Armoured Vest System [ja] (AVS)	Bullet-proof vest	The Type 18 bulletproof vest is a body armor adopted as a successor to the Type 3 bulletproof vest and is part of the new combat wear set that began to be procured from the fiscal year 2023.

Name	Type	Caliber	Origin	Notes
Handguns
SIG Sauer P220	Semi-automatic pistol	9×19mm Parabellum	West Germany Switzerland Japan	Made under license by Minebea, designated the Minebea P9. Used with a leather holster or Safariland leg holster. Standard issue as of 1982.^[2]
H&K SFP9-M	Semi-automatic pistol	9×19mm Parabellum	Germany	Replacement for the SIG P220 beginning in 2020. As of 2024, 923 have been purchased (303 in 2022,^[3] 297 in 2021,^[4] 323 in 2020^[5]).
Submachine guns
Minebea 9mm Machine Pistol	Submachine gun	9×19mm Parabellum	Japan	Made by Minebea. Introduced in 1999, it is the only domestically produced submachine gun of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. It is derived from the Uzi.^[6]
Assault rifles and battle rifles
Howa Type 89	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Japan	Service rifle, entered service in 1989.
Howa Type 64	Battle rifle	7.62×51mm NATO	Japan	Service rifle, entered service in 1964. It is gas-operated.
Howa Type 20	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Japan	New service rifle, replacing the Howa Type 89, beginning in 2020. As of 2024, 28,057 have been purchased (9,927 in 2024,^[7] 8,577 in 2023,^[8] 2,928 in 2022,^[3] 3,342 in 2021,^[4] 3,283 in 2020^[5]). Beretta GLX160 will be installed as under-barrel grenade launchers on some of the rifles.^[9]
Machine guns
Sumitomo MINIMI 5.56mm Machine Gun	Light machine gun	5.56×45mm NATO	Japan	Made under license by Sumitomo, standard squad-level machine gun. Unique to the Sumitomo Minimi, the barrel has a heat shield.^[10]
Minimi MK3	Light machine gun	5.56×45mm NATO	Belgium	Successor of the Sumitomo MINIMI. 514 to be ordered in 2024 for $6.88 million.^[9] A total of 3,100 is planned to be purchased.
NTK/Sumitomo Type 62 machine gun	General-purpose machine gun	7.62×51mm NATO	Japan	Made by Sumitomo. It has been largely superseded by the Minimi, but it is still used for infantry support as a medium machine gun, and in certain vehicle-mounted roles.^[11]
NTK/Sumitomo Type 74 In-vehicle machine gun	In-vehicle machine gun	7.62×51mm NATO	Japan	Fixed-mount variant of the Type 62 used specifically for armoured fighting vehicles.^[12]
Sumitomo J2 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun	Heavy machine gun	12.7x99mm NATO (.50 BMG)	United States Japan	M2 Browning made under license by Sumitomo.^[13]
Precision rifles
Howa Type 64	Designated marksman rifle	7.62×51mm NATO	Japan
M24 A2 Sniper Rifle	Sniper rifle	7.62×51mm NATO	United States	Made by Remington Arms. Introduced to the JSDF in 2002, it is used by snipers,^[14] the 1st Airborne Brigade^[15] and Special Forces Group.^[16] Being replaced by the HK417.^[9]
Heckler & Koch HK417, G28 E2	Designated marksman rifle	7.62×51mm NATO	Germany	182 ordered in 2024 for $6.88 million. The intention to purchase a total of 900 of these rifles.^[9] Successor of the M24 A2.^[9]
Grenades / grenade launchers
M67 series fragmentation grenade	Hand grenade	–	United States	^[17]
Beretta GLX 160	Under-barrel grenade launcher	40×46 mm LV	Italy	Selected to equip the Type 20 rifles.^[9]
Type 06 rifle grenade	Rifle grenade	–	Japan	Made by Daikin in 2006. A HEAT rifle grenade that can be attached to either the Howa Type 64 or Type 89.^[18]
Howa Type 96 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher	Automatic grenade launcher	40x56mm	Japan	First entered service in 1996. It is a blow forward weapon and is used in both infantry and vehicle roles.^[19]
Man-portable anti-tank systems
Howa 84RR	Recoilless rifle	84x246mm	Japan Sweden	Made under license by Howa, designated the 84 mm Recoilless Rifle.^[20]
Nissan 110mm LAM	Anti-tank rocket launcher	110mm	Japan West Germany	Made under license by Nissan/IHI IHI Aerospace.^[21]
Type 79 anti-landing-craft and anti-tank missile	Heavy anti-tank/landing-craft guided missile	153mm	Japan	Built by Kawasaki.^[22]
Type 87 anti-tank missile	Laser guided anti-tank missile	110mm	Japan	Built by Kawasaki.^[23]
Type 01 light anti-tank missile	Anti-tank guided missile	140mm	Japan	Built by Kawasaki.^[24]
Mines
M18 Claymore mine	Directional fragmentation anti-personnel mine	–	United States	Can be detonated either by tripwire or remote control.^[25]

Name	Type	Caliber	Origin	Notes
Handguns
H&K USP	Semi-automatic pistol	9×19mm Parabellum	Germany	Only Japanese Special Forces Group.^[26]
Submachine guns
H&K MP5	Submachine gun	9×19mm Parabellum	West Germany	Only Japanese Special Forces Group.^[27]
H&K MP7	Personal defense weapon	HK 4.6×30mm	Germany	Only Japanese Special Forces Group.^[28]
Assault rifles and battle rifles
M4 carbine	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	United States	Only Japanese Special Forces Group.^[29]
FN SCAR	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Belgium	Only Japanese Special Forces Group.^[30]
Heckler & Koch G36	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Germany	^[31] Only Japanese Special Forces Group^[32]
Heckler & Koch HK416	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Germany
HK417	Battle rifle	7.62×51mm NATO	Germany	^[33] Being acquired for the JGSDF as the G28.
Grenades / grenade launchers
M203 grenade launcher	Underbarrel grenade launcher	40x46mm	United States	^[34]
M32A1 Multiple Grenade Launcher	Rotary grenade launcher	40x46mm	South Africa	^[35]
Man-portable anti-tank systems
M72 LAW	Disposable anti-tank rocket launcher	66mm	United States Norway	^[36]

List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force

Base supplies

Camouflage patterns

Uniforms

Protection

Rations

Infantry weapons

Standard issue weapons

Special forces use

Indirect fire

Vehicles

Air defence

Coastal defence

Aircraft

Future equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force

Vehicles

Historic, retired or reserve equipment

References

Wikiwand - on

Name	Type	Caliber	Origin	Quantity	Notes
Mortars
Type 96 Heavy mortar (RT 120mm Mortar)	Heavy mortar	120mm	France	462	Built under license with the ordnance by Howa. Total of 462 purchased from 1990 to 2017.^[37]
L16 81mm Mortar	Mortar	81mm	United Kingdom	—	Built under license with the ordnance by Howa.^[38]
Hirtenberger M6C-210	Light mortar	60mm	Austria	—	^[39]
Self-propelled mortar
Type 96 120 mm Self-propelled Mortar	Self-propelled mortar	120 mm	Japan	24	Nicknamed the Gottohanma (God hammer). Built by Hitachi/Howa^[40]
Howitzer
FH-70	Towed howitzer	155 mm	United Kingdom West Germany Italy	480	Built under license with the ordnance by Japan Steel Works. Total of 480 built as of 2008.^[41]
Self-propelled howitzer
Type 99 155 mm Self-propelled Howitzer	Self-propelled howitzer	155 mm L/52	Japan	135	Built by Mitsubishi/Japan Steel Works
Type 19 155 mm	Wheeled self-propelled howitzer	155 mm L/52	Japan	14	Built by Japan Steel Works. Orders: 7 ordered with 2019 budget^[42] 7 ordered with 2020 budget^[42] 7 ordered with 2021 budget^[43] 7 ordered with 2022 budget^[44] 16 ordered with 2024 budget^[45] 14 planned with 2025 budget^[46] Up to 200 planned eventually ^[47]
Rocket artillery
M270 MLRS	Multiple rocket launcher	—	Japan United States	54	Built under license with the ordnance by IHI AEROSPACE
Artillery support vehicles
Type 99 Artillery Support Vehicle	Artillery Support Vehicle	—	Japan	—	Built by Hitachi
Type 87	Ammunition resupply vehicle	—	Japan	—	Built by Hitachi

Name	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
Armoured fighting vehicles
Type 10	Main battle tank	Japan	111 ^[48] (10 on order budget 2024)	Built by Mitsubishi.
Type 90	Main battle tank	Japan	340^[49]^[50]	Built by Mitsubishi until 2009.
Mitsubishi Type 89 IFV	Infantry fighting vehicle	Japan	70^[51]	Built by Mitsubishi and Komatsu
Type 16 MCV	Wheeled tank destroyer	Japan	100 (2023)	Built by Mitsubishi. 250 vehicles total are planned, 240 ordered in total as of 2024.^[52]
Middle-range multi-purpose missile system (Chū-MPMS)	Anti-tank/landing-craft missile	Japan	—	Built by Kawasaki.
Type 96 multi-purpose missile system	Anti-tank/landing-craft missile	Japan	—	Built by Kawasaki.^[53]
Reconnaissance vehicles
Type 87 RCV	Reconnaissance vehicle	Japan	111	Built by Komatsu
Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle	Chemical reconnaissance vehicle	Japan	34	Built by Komatsu
NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle	Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear reconnaissance vehicle	Japan	21	Built by Komatsu
Armoured vehicles
Type 73 armored personnel carrier	Armoured personnel carrier	Japan	338^[54]	Built by Mitsubishi
Type 96 wheeled armored personnel carrier^[55]	Armoured personnel carrier	Japan	400^[56]	Built by Komatsu
Type 82 command and communication vehicle	Command and communication vehicle	Japan	197	Built by Komatsu. Similar in role to the American M1130 commander's vehicle.
Komatsu LAV	Armored car	Japan	1,818^{[citation needed]}	Built until 2019.
Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle	Infantry mobility vehicle	Australia	8	Built by Thales Australia
AAV7A1 RAM/RS	Amphibious assault vehicle	United States	52	Imported from BAE Systems.
Armoured recovery/engineering vehicle
Type 11 Armoured Recovery Vehicle	Armoured recovery vehicle	Japan	4	Built by Mitsubishi
Type 90 Armoured Recovery Vehicle	Armoured recovery vehicle	Japan	30	Built by Mitsubishi
Type 78 Armoured Recovery Vehicle	Armoured recovery vehicle	Japan	36	Built by Mitsubishi
Type 91 Armoured Vehicle-launched Bridge	Armoured vehicle-launched bridge	Japan	22	Built by Mitsubishi
Type 92 Mine Clearance Vehicle	Mine clearance vehicle – equipped with a mine-clearing line charge system	Japan		Built by Nissan Motor Aerospace division (pre-2000)/IHI Aerospace Co., Ltd./Hitachi
Miscellaneous
Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck	Off-road vehicle	Japan		Built by Mitsubishi. First generation production ceased in 1997.
Toyota Type 73 medium truck	Four-wheel-drive truck	Japan		Built by Toyota. Used specifically for transport purposes.
Isuzu Type 73 heavy truck	Heavy truck	Japan		Built by Isuzu.
Mitsubishi Fuso Type 74 extra-large truck	Heavy truck	Japan		Built by Mitsubishi Fuso (formerly Mitsubishi Motors)
Mitsubishi Fuso Type 73 semi-trailer truck	Semi-trailer truck	Japan		Built by Mitsubishi Fuso (formerly Mitsubishi Motors)
Toyota high-mobility vehicle	Four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle	Japan	3,000	Built by Toyota. Production ceased in 2001.
Honda XL250	Reconnaissance motorcycle	Japan		Built by Honda. Production ceased in 1992.

Name	Type	Caliber	Origin	Quantity	Notes
Man portable air-defence
Type 91 portable surface-to-air missile	Man-portable surface-to-air missile	80mm	Japan	—	Built by Toshiba.
FIM-92A Stinger	Man-portable air-defense system	70mm	United States	—	^[57]
Short range air-defence missiles
Type 81 short-range surface-to-air missile	Surface-to-air missile	160mm	Japan	—	Built by Toshiba.
Type 93 short-range surface-to-air missile	Surface-to-air missile	80mm	Japan	—	Built by Toshiba.
Type 11 short-range surface-to-air missile	Surface-to-air missile	160mm	Japan	—	Built by Toshiba.
Medium range air defence missiles
Improved-HAWK	Surface-to-air missile	370mm	United States	—	Made under license by Mitsubishi/Toshiba.
Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile	Surface-to-air missile	320mm	Japan	—	Built by Mitsubishi/Toshiba.
Anti-aircraft gun
Type 87 SPAAG	Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun	35 mm	Japan	52	Built by Mitsubishi, nicknamed as the '"Gum-tank" (Gundam Tank).

Name	Origin	Role	Variant	In service	On order	Notes
Fixed-wing aircraft
Beechcraft Super King Air B300	United States	Reconnaissance and communications	LR-2	8^[60]	—
Tilt-rotor aircraft
Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey	United States	V/STOL military transport aircraft	MV-22B	14 ^[60]	+ 3 ^[61]	17 planned in total ^[62]
Rotary-wing aircraft
Boeing AH-64 Apache	United States Japan	Attack helicopter	AH-64DJP	12 ^[60]	—	13 built by Fuji. One crashed on 5 February 2018.^[63]
Bell AH-1 Cobra	United States Japan	Attack helicopter	AH-1S	40 ^[60]	—	Built by Fuji.
Kawasaki OH-1	Japan	Scout helicopter	OH-1	37 ^[60]	—	Replaced the OH-6D fleet.
UH-60 Black Hawk	United States Japan	Transport helicopter	UH-60JA	39 ^[60]	—	Most built by Mitsubishi. One crashed on 6 April 2023.
Bell UH-1	United States Japan	Utility helicopter	UH-1J	106 ^[60]	—	Built by Fuji. To be replaced by the Subaru-Bell UH-2.
Subaru-Bell UH-2	Canada United States Japan	Utility helicopter	UH-2	9 ^[60]	+ 21 +123 ^[61]	150 planned to be ordered in the programme.^[64]^[65] Confirmed purchases: 6 ordered in 2019 20 ordered in 2021 13 ordered in 2023
Boeing CH-47 Chinook	United States Japan	Transport helicopter	CH-47J CH-47JA	49 ^[60]		Built by Kawasaki. 12 on order.^[66]
Trainer aircraft
Enstrom 480	United States	Trainer helicopter	TH-480B	30 ^[61]
UAVs (Unmanned aerial vehicles)
Fuji FFOS and Fuji FFRS	Japan	Reconnais-sance UAV				Small helicopter unmanned aerial vehicle. Primarily used as a forward reconnaissance platform for field artillery.^[67]^[68]
Boeing Insitu ScanEagle	United States	Reconnais-sance UAV		1		Delivered by Insitu Pacific^[69]
Yamaha R-MAX	Japan	Reconnais-sance UAV				Small helicopter unmanned aerial vehicle^[70]
Honeywell RQ-16 T-Hawk	United States	Surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle				Apparently in service in some numbers with the Central Readiness Force. Used primarily for hazardous area reconnaissance (e.g. radiation survey).
Japanese Emperor's Royal Flight Service
Eurocopter EC 225	Europe	VIP helicopter	EC 225LP	3	—	Replacing the AS332L^[71]^[72]