Type 89
89式装甲戦闘車
Overview
Type 89
Left side view of Type 89 mechanized infantry combat vehicle in the field.
Source: www.rikuzi-chousadan.com -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Japan - Komatsu
Light tiger (nickname)
89FV (nickname)
Description
Introduction
The Type 89 is a mechanized infantry vehicle of Japanese origin. The requirement for such a vehicle was drafted in the early 1980's and the design was finished in the late 1980's. The Type 89 is a very capable and well armed vehicle. Due to its high costs only a limited number has been produced thus far.
Design
The Type 89 has a conventional design with the driver, engine and drive train in the front of the vehicle. The two person turret is mounted in the middle and the infantry compartment is at the rear. The infantry exit through two doors at the rear.
Firepower
The main armament of the Type 89 is the powerful 35mm KDE autocannon. The cyclic rate of fire is 200 rpm. A 7.62mm Type 74 machine gun is fitted as a coaxial weapon. On either side of the turret a single Jyu-MAT anti-tank missile is fitted, which has a range of over 4 km. A total of 7 firing ports allows the use of personal weapons from within the vehicle.
Protection
The steel armor protects from small arms fire and shell splinters from all angles. Over the frontal arc the protection level is much better and may prove sufficient against 25mm APDS rounds fire from a distance. An NBC system, a laser warning device and two banks of smoke grenade dischargers are fitted.
Mobility
The Type 89 has a high level of mobility. The tracked chassis results in a good off road performance. The maximum speed is 70 km/h. A 600 hp diesel provides propulsion.
Users
The Type 89 is only used by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force. Over 70 vehicles have been produced and the total requirement is 300 units. It seems unlikely that the whole order will be fulfilled. It is expected that a lower cost wheeled infantry fighting vehicle will fulfill most of the requirement.
Details
Subcomponents
35mm Oerlikon KDE
The Type 89 is fitted with the Oerlikon KDE, which is produced under license in Japan.
Sumitomo Type 74
The Type 74 vehicle machine gun is used as coaxial armament on the Type 89.
Media
Type 89
JGSDF Type 89 mechanized infantry combat vehicle.
Source: Los688
Copyright: Public domain
Type 89
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Type 89 mechanized infantry combat vehicle in the field.
Source: www.rikuzi-chousadan.com
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Type 89
Type 89 mechanized infantry combat vehicle firing its 35mm KDE autocannon.
Source: www.mod.go.jp
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Type 89
JGSDF Type 89 mechanized infantry combat vehicle on parade in 2013.
Source: www.mod.go.jp
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Type 89
Rear view of Type 89 mechanized infantry combat vehicle firing its 35mm KDE autocannon.
Source: www.rikuzi-chousadan.com
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
Type 73
The Type 89 replaced some of the Type 73 armored personnel carriers in mechanized units.
Type 99
The Type 99 self-propelled howitzer is based on an elongated Type 89 chassis.
Type 96
The Type 96 self-propelled mortar shares various automotive components with the Type 89 MICV.