Type 10

The Type 10 started as the TK-X (MBT-X) project, intended to complement and eventually replace the Type 74 and Type 90 tanks in service with the JGSDF.{{Sfn|Ichinohe|2011}} Development began in the 1990s, and production started in 2010–2011. A prototype was revealed on February 13, 2008 at the Technology Research and Development Institute (TRDI) in Sagamihara, Japan.{{Sfn|Ichinohe|2011}} Emphasis was placed on the design's command and control capabilities.{{cite web|author=Japanese Ministry of Defense Technology Research and Development Institute (TRDI) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/trdi/en/programs/ground/ground.html |title=Department of Ground Systems Development |access-date=May 10, 2010|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901053859/http://www.mod.go.jp/trdi/en/programs/ground/ground.html |archive-date=September 1, 2010}}

In the early 2000s, the JGSDF recognized a need to field a fourth generation tank in order to compete on a modern battlefield. C4I (Command, Control, Communication, Computing and Intelligence) capability was considered a high priority in designing the Type 10.{{Sfn|Ichinohe|2011}}

A Ministry of Defense assessment found that C4I upgrades to existing Type 74 and Type 90 tanks were not feasible, primarily due to a lack of internal space. Thus, development of a completely novel main battle tank was deemed necessary.{{Sfn|Ichinohe|2011}}

The use of modular components significantly improves the side armor compared to the Type 90. The commander's panoramic sight was moved to the right, and is mounted higher compared to the Type 90, giving the commander a wider field of view.

The vehicle's armor consists of removable sections, allowing operators to balance weight and protection depending on the mission profile. The Type 10 weighs {{Convert|40|t|ST|abbr=off}} in its base configuration, {{Convert|44|t|ST|abbr=off}} in standard configuration, and {{Convert|48|t|ST|abbr=off}} fully loaded. The prototype featured in 2008 at TRDI weighed 44 tonnes.{{Cite web|title=Type 10 MBT-X Prototype (TK-X)|author=GlobalSecurity.org|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/japan/mbt-x.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212010343/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/japan/mbt-x.htm |archive-date=December 12, 2018}}

The Type 10 weighs less than its predecessor, the Type 90. The composite armor weight was increased, however, from {{Convert|1380|to|1940|kg|lbs|abbr=on}} for the turret, and from {{Convert|1249|to|2680|kg|lbs|abbr=on}} for the hull.

In a penetration resistance test, APFSDS rounds were fired at the hull from a distance of {{Convert|250|m|yd|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|archive-date=February 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221150623/http://www.mod.go.jp/trdi/data/info/ny_kenkyu_riku/pdf_ichiran/18-ekimu-zuikei-r-10.pdf|url=http://www.mod.go.jp/trdi/data/info/ny_kenkyu_riku/pdf_ichiran/18-ekimu-zuikei-r-10.pdf |title= 正面要部耐弾性試験のための労務借上|trans-title=Borrowing labor for bulletproof test of main part of front|page=13|access-date=June 28, 2021|url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/atla/nds/Z/Z0012B.pdf |title= Resilience test method for armored kinetic energy bullets NDS Z 0012B|access-date=June 25, 2021}} Each armor module and mantlet achieved the required performance specified in "Type 10 tank GV-Y120001E".

Protection against 120mm kinetic energy penetrators is limited to the front of the hull, turret, and gun mantlet, with the exception of the lower glacis.

The top armor can effectively counter explosively formed penetrators and related threats.{{Cite web |url=https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1283286|title= 防衛庁技術研究本部五十年史}}

The Type 10 tank is equipped with a C4I system (command, control, communication, computer & intelligence) known as "10NW". This system integrates into the JGSDF network and enables real-time data sharing between tanks. It works alongside the Field Communication System (FiCS){{Sfn|Ichinohe|2011}} and the Regiment Command Control System (ReCS).

According to design documentation, the C4I system enables the following capabilities:{{Sfn|Defense Industrial Production Committee|2014}}

• Platoon-level automatic target recognition and target synchronization
• Real-time commands from a platoon leader
• Real-time vehicle telemetry
• Fire control system integration
• Daytime and night vision cameras mounted around the turret, providing 360° coverage

The Type 10 also includes:

• A continuously variable transmission (CVT){{cite journal |date=June 2008 |title=Accelerating Defence Acquisition: What Defence Can Learn From the World of Motorsport |url=http://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/Ireland_RDS_Summer08.pdf |url-status=dead |journal=RUSI Defence Systems |publisher=Royal United Services Institute |pages=81–82 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120083808/http://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/Ireland_RDS_Summer08.pdf |archive-date=November 20, 2008 |access-date=February 5, 2009}} allowing the tank to reach {{Convert|70|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} in both forward and reverse
• A faster autoloader allowing the main gun to fire every 3.5 seconds{{Cite web |title=１０式戦車による戦車射撃訓練 |url=https://twitter.com/i/status/1289757818166185985 |access-date=January 22, 2021}}
• A hydropneumatic suspension system that provides improved recoil performance and chassis height adjustment

File:10TK 005 R 10式戦車 11.jpg gun]]

Whereas the Type 90 was equipped with the Rheinmetall Rh-120 smoothbore main gun (as on the German Leopard 2), the Type 10 uses a novel 120mm gun developed by Japan Steel Works.{{Sfn|Ichinohe|2011}} The gun can fire the newly developed Type 10 APFSDS round.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mof.go.jp/budget/topics/budget_execution_audit/fy2011/2404_11b.pdf |title=Japanese MOF report |access-date=March 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203235856/https://www.mof.go.jp/budget/topics/budget_execution_audit/fy2011/2404_11b.pdf |archive-date=February 3, 2013 |url-status=live }} It can also fire the JM33 APFSDS (a variant of the German DM33 shell, produced domestically under license) as well as 120mm NATO ammunition. The Type 10 holds 14 rounds in the autoloader, 2 behind the gunner, 6 rounds in the ready ammunition storage, and 14 in reserve, with a total of 36 rounds carried on board.{{Cite web |url=https://www.weaponsystems.net/system/269-Type%2010 |title=Type 10, 10式戦車 |access-date=March 15, 2022|website=WeaponSystems.net}}

The gunner has access to a Type 74 coaxial machine gun chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO. The Type 74 is a heavier, vehicle-mounted variant of the Sumitomo Type 62 machine gun.

A M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun chambered in 12.7x99mm NATO is affixed to a pintle-mount on the roof, and can be crewed by the commander.

The predecessor of the Type 10, the Type 90, was deployed only in Hokkaido due to road and bridge weight limitations in mainland Japan. For this reason, weight was a priority in design, as the Type 10 needed to be capable of deploying anywhere in Japan. Size and weight reductions made the Type 10 six tonnes lighter than the Type 90. Approximately 84% of bridges in Japan can accommodate the Type 10, compared to only 65% for the Type 90, and ~40% for other NATO tanks.{{Cite web |url=http://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/singi/shin-ampobouei2010/dai5/siryou1.pdf |trans-title=Handout for the Fifth Meeting of The Council on Security and Defense Capabilities in the New Era - Defense Production and Technology Base|title=新たな時代の安全保障と防衛力に関する懇談会 - 第5回配布資料 「防衛生産・技術基盤」|date=April 2010|author=Ministry of Defence|access-date=January 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063832/http://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/singi/shin-ampobouei2010/dai5/siryou1.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live|lang=ja}}

The development costs as of 2008 are approximately {{JPYConvert|48400000000|lk=off|year=2008|r=1|force=|showdate=no}}. The projected cost per unit was approximately {{JPYConvert|700000000|year=2008|r=1|force=|showdate=no}}.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense formally acknowledged the Type 10 in December 2009.

In 2010, the Japanese Ministry of Defense placed a {{JPYConvert|12400000000|r=1|exact=|showdate=no}} order for thirteen Type 10 tanks.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/j/yosan/2010/yosan.pdf |title=Based on the production of thirteen Type 10 tanks during FY2010 |access-date=June 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323213737/http://www.mod.go.jp/j/yosan/2010/yosan.pdf |archive-date=March 23, 2011|url-status=live }}

The Type 10 entered service in January 2012,{{cite news|url=http://www.jiji.com/jc/movie?p=top416-movie02&s=436|trans-title=Ceremony to mark the unit on the first mass-produced vehicle|title=時事ドットコム：動画特集 陸上自衛隊「１０式戦車」入魂式＝量産型１号車に機甲の魂を注入|work=時事ドットコム|access-date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403024518/http://www.jiji.com/jc/movie?p=top416-movie02&s=436|archive-date=3 April 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all|lang=ja}} with production continuing at a steady rate. As of 2020, there were 76 units in service, with plans to order 12 more that year.{{Cite web|editor=Armyrecognition.com|date=March 16, 2020|title=Army of Japan to acquire more local-made Type 10 Main Battle Tanks MBTs|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/may_2020_news_defense_global_security_army_industry/army_of_japan_to_acquire_more_local-made_type_10_main_battle_tanks_mbts.html|access-date=March 18, 2021|website=www.armyrecognition.com}}

On 4 January 2014, sources revealed that Turkey was interested in signing a joint development deal of tank engines based on the Type 10's engine. The Type 10 tank boasts high mobility, including a backward movement speed of {{convert|70|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|editor=Armyrecognition.com|date=January 7, 2014|url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/january_2014_global_defense_security_news_industry/japan_is_looking_to_develop_an_engine_for_main_battle_tank_in_collaboration_with_turkey_0701143.html|title=Japan is looking to develop an engine for main battle tank in collaboration with Turkey|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107233848/http://www.armyrecognition.com/january_2014_global_defense_security_news_industry/japan_is_looking_to_develop_an_engine_for_main_battle_tank_in_collaboration_with_turkey_0701143.html |archive-date=January 7, 2014}} The engine was to power the Turkish Altay tank. However, negotiations broke down, and the deal was "off the agenda" by March 2014. Provided reasons included Japan's stringent arms export ban laws, Turkey's intention to export the Altay themselves, and Japan's reluctance to license the engine.{{Cite news|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140305/DEFREG03/303050035/Japan-Deal-Scrapped-Turkey-Looking-Tank-Engine|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20140307024446/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140305/DEFREG03/303050035/Japan%2DDeal%2DScrapped%2DTurkey%2DLooking%2DTank%2DEngine|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 March 2014|title=Japan Deal Scrapped, Turkey Looking for Tank Engine|newspaper=Defensenews.com|date=5 March 2014|access-date=8 March 2014}}

; {{JAP}} (129 purchased as of 2024 + 12 planned for 2025)

: Purchases:

:* 12 tanks with the 2025 budget request (¥ 22.9 billion){{Cite web |date=January 2025 |title=Overview of FY2025 Budget |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/fy2025_20250210a.pdf}}

:* 10 tanks with the 2024 budget (¥ 16.6 billion){{Cite web |title=Overview of the FY2024 Budget (Page 23) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/20240607a.pdf}}

:* 8 tanks with the 2022 budget (¥ 8.3 billion){{Cite web |title=Overview of FY2022 Budget (Page 49) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/20220420.pdf}}

:* 12 tanks with the 2020 budget (¥ 15.6 billion){{Cite web |title=Overview of FY2020 Budget (Page 49) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/200330a.pdf}}

:* 6 tanks with the 2019 budget (¥ 8.1 billion){{Cite web |title=Overview of FY2019 Budget (Page 51) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/190510b.pdf}}

:* 5 tanks with the 2018 budget (¥ 7.3 billion){{Cite web |title=Overview of FY2018 Budget (Page 45) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/300329.pdf}}

:* 6 tanks with the 2017 budget (¥ 7.5 billion){{Cite web |title=Overview of FY2017 Budget (Page 45) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/290328.pdf}}

:* 6 tanks with the 2016 budget (¥ 6.1 billion){{Cite web |title=Overview of FY2016 Budget (Page 39) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/280330.pdf}}

:* 10 tanks with the 2015 budget (¥ 10.2 billion){{Cite web |title=Overview of FY2015 Budget (Page 43) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/270414.pdf}}

:* 13 tanks with the 2014 budget (¥ 13.4 billion){{Cite web |title=Overview of FY2014 Budget (Page 41) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/260130.pdf}}

:* 14 tanks with the 2013 budget (¥ 13.9 billion){{Cite web |title=Overview of FY2013 Budget (Page 13) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/250516.pdf}}

:* 13 tanks with the 2012 budget (¥ 13.2 billion){{Cite web |title=Overview of FY2012 Budget (Page 11) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/240301.pdf}}

:* 13 tanks with the 2011 budget (¥ 13.2 billion){{Cite web |title=Overview of FY2011 Budget (Page 27) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/230401.pdf}}

:* 13 tanks with the 2010 budget (¥ 12.4 billion){{Cite web |title=Overview of FY2010 Budget (Page 29) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/220416.pdf}}

File:Type 10 tank displayed on a practice day of Fuji Firepower Review 2010, -26 Aug. 2010 b.jpg|2010 prototype model

File:Type 10 engine compartment.JPG|Rear view of the prototype

File:JGSDF Type10 tank 20120527-11.JPG|Production model

File:Type 10 tank .50 cal.jpg|Side closeup of turret showing M2 Browning .50 caliber and smoke launchers

File:JGSDF Type10 tank 20120527-12.JPG|Front closeup of turret showing sensor package and M2 Browning .50 caliber

File:JGSDF Type10 tank 20120527-17.JPG|A tanker in the commander's hatch

File:23 03 095 富士総合火力演習・そうかえん 34.jpg|alt=A Type 10 leans forward on its suspension as it decelerates|Braking demonstration

File:JGSDF Type10 tank 20120527-02.JPG|Type 90 (left) and Type 10 (right)

File:Japanese Type10 and Type74 Tanks.JPG|Type 74 (left) and Type 10 (right)

File:JGSDF Type 10 tank breaks.jpg|alt=A Type 10 leans forward on its suspension as it decelerates|Braking demonstration during exercise

File:JGSDF Type 10 tank front view.jpg|Front view

File:Prototype Type 10 (JGSDF Public Information Center).jpg|Prototype on display

• {{lwc|Type 61 (tank)|Type 61}} (1st generation)
• {{lwc|Type 74 tank}} (2nd generation)
• {{lwc|Type 90 Kyū-maru|Type 90}} (3rd generation)
• M10 Booker, US light tank/assault gun comparable in weight and price to Type 10
• {{lwc|Type 15 tank}}
• {{lwc|2S25 Sprut-SD}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{Cite journal|editor=Defense Industrial Production Committee|date=February 2014|title=10式戦車と今後の戦車製造の態勢|trans-title=Type 10 tanks and the future of tank manufacturing|journal=Special Journal of Defense Industrial Production Committee (防衛生産委員会特報)|issue=285|publisher=Japan Business Federation|lang=ja|id={{NAID|40019994077}}}}
• {{Cite journal|first1=Shinichi|last1=Kiyotani|author-link1=:ja:清谷信一|title=Japan unveils TK-X main battle tank prototype|journal=Jane's Defence Weekly|volume=45|issue=9|date=27 February 2008|page=13}}
• {{Cite book|last=Ichinohe|first=Takao|date=June 2011|chapter=Type 10 Tanks of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force|title=10式戦車と次世代大型戦闘車|trans-title=Type 10 Tanks and Next-generation Heavy Fighting Vehicles|series=Supplement to Japan Military Review|lang=ja|id={{NCID|AN00067836}}}}
• {{Cite book|editor=Technical Research and Development Institute|year=2012|title=防衛省技術研究本部六十年史|trans-title=Sixty Years of the Technical Research Headquarters of the Ministry of Defense|publisher=Ministry of Defense|lang=ja|id={{NCID|BB10936527}}}}

{{Commons category|Type 10 tanks (JGSDF)}}

• [https://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/hyouka/seisaku/results/21/jigo/youshi/13.pdf Development report of JSDF New tank (Japanese) 1] – Japanese Ministry of Defense.
• [https://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/hyouka/seisaku/results/21/jigo/honbun/13.pdf Development report of JSDF New tank (Japanese) 2] – Japanese Ministry of Defense.
• [https://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/hyouka/seisaku/results/21/jigo/sankou/13.pdf Development report of JSDF New tank (Japanese) 3] – Japanese Ministry of Defense.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100901053859/http://www.mod.go.jp/trdi/en/programs/ground/ground.html New Tank] – Japanese Ministry of Defense TRDI.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110323195435/http://www.mod.go.jp/trdi/research/images/shinsensha.jpg TRDI Official Photos of Type 10 tank #1]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20121001031214/http://www.mod.go.jp/trdi/research/gaibuhyouka/movie/TK-X.wmv TRDI Official Video of TK-X tank]
• {{YouTube|AMyunYidyKg|Slalom shooting of Type 10 Tank}} (Car Watch)
• {{YouTube|TLnjfYKhcU4|Japan New 44ton MBT (Main Battle Tank) Type10 Tank Prototype (TK-X) Test}}

{{Mitsubishi Heavy Industries}}

{{Post-Cold War tanks|style=wide}}

{{ModernJapaneseAFVs}}

Category:Main battle tanks of Japan

Category:Post–Cold War main battle tanks

Category:Mitsubishi Heavy Industries armored vehicles

Category:Tanks with autoloaders

Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 2010s

Category:Fourth-generation main battle tanks