The following is a list of equipment currently in service with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
Base supplies
Camouflage patterns
ImagesModelOriginPattern typeEnvironment / coloursUserPeriod useNotes Woodland Temperate (Based on Hokkaido's wilderness) 1st Airborne Brigade (JGSDF Air Defense Artillery Groups)1970s to 1990s (limited use as of 2014) First camo scheme adopted by Japan after World War II. Flecktarn Temperate JGSDF, JMSDF, Japan National Defense Academy cadets, JASDF Air Rescue Wings Pararescuemen Since 1991 Second domestically designed pattern. The earlier model had anti-IR/flame-resistant fabric, but the latter lacks the feature. Flecktarn Temperate / dark JGSDF Since 1991 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. Flecktarn Temperate JGSDF Since 2007 Modified from ''Type II'' pattern. JGSDF Desert camouflage Flecktarn Arid / desert JGSDF International Peace Cooperation Activities Training Unit and JGSDF Central Readiness Force Since June 2010 Adopted by the JGSDF for Middle Eastern deployments.
Protection ImageModelJapan designationOriginTypeNotesCombat helmetPASGT helmet Personnel Armor System for Ground TroopCombat helmet (Kevlar)Standard issue helmet. Successor of the Type 66 helmet. M1 HelmetType 66 helmetCombat helmet (iron alloy)Entered service in 1966, it remains in use for non-combat missions, training exercises, parades and in the reserve forces. Largely replaced by the Type 88 helmet.Ops-Core FAST Future Assault Shell Technology helmet—Combat helmet (UHMWPE material)Used by special units.Body armourPASGT Personnel Armor System for Ground TroopBulletproof vestFirst body armour fully introduced by the JGSDF in 1992. Derived from the PASGT.—Bulletproof vest夕刊フジ 2013年3月12日 桜林美佐 ニッポンの防衛産業 Successor of the . The camouflage is the .—Bulletproof vestThe Necessity of Defense Production and Technological Bases for Supplies Successor to the . Procured with the fiscal year 2012 budget.—Bulletproof vestSuccessor to the .
Procured with the fiscal year 2023 budget.
Electronic equipment ImageModelJapan designationOriginTypeQuantityNotesAN/PVS-14 andPersonal night vision device GaAS visible light amplification 3rd generation > 22,942License produced by NEC. Successor .
Infantry weapons
Standard issue weapons ImageModelJapan designationOriginTypeCalibreNotesHandgunsSIG Sauer P220Minebea P9Semi-automatic pistol9×19mm ParabellumStandard issue as of 1982, and currently being replaced. Made under license by Minebea.H&K SFP9-M—Semi-automatic pistol9×19mm ParabellumSuccessor of the SIG P220 as new standard issue pistol, introduced in 2020. Purchases:
303 in 2022 297 in 2021 323 in 2020Submachine gunsMinebea PM-9M9Submachine gun9×19mm ParabellumSuccessor of the Uzi, and also derived from it. Introduced in 1999.Assault rifles and battle riflesHowa Type 20Type 20 assault rifleAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATONew service rifle succeeding to the Howa Type 89 and the Howa Type 64. The grenade launcher selected for the Type 20 is the Beretta GLX160.
38,057 ordered for the JGSDF from 2020 to 2025, 10,000 planned with the 2026 budget.
(2,909 more for the JASDF and the JMSDF).Howa Type 89Type 89 assault rifleAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATOService rifle that entered service in 1989. Complemented the Howa Type 64 battle rifles. Being replaced by the Howa Type 20.Howa Type 64Type 64 battle rifleBattle rifle7.62×51mm NATOService rifle that entered service in 1964. Being replaced by the Howa Type 20.Machine gunsFN Minimi5.56mm Machine Gun MINIMILMG Light machine gun5.56×45mm NATOStandard squad-level machine gun. First order in 1993, succeeded to the Type 62 machine gun. 4,922 ordered by 2017.
Made under license by Sumitomo.Exhibition of Equipments. Retrieved on July 29, 2008.FN Minimi MK35.56mm Machine Gun MINIMI(B)LMG Light machine gun5.56×45mm NATOSuccessor of the Gen 1 Minimi. Selected in a competition against the HK MG4. 3,100 planned to be purchased.
514 ordered in 2024.Sumitomo Type 62Type 62 7.62mm machine gunGPMG General-purpose machine gun7.62×51mm NATOMostly replaced, but remains in service for infantry support.GPMG - vehicle based General-purpose machine gun7.62×51mm NATOFixed-mount variant of the Type 62 used specifically for armoured fighting vehicles.M2 BrowningJ2 12.7mm Heavy Machine GunHMG Heavy machine gun12.7×99mm NATO (.50 BMG)Made under license by Sumitomo.Precision riflesHowa Type 64DMR Designated marksman rifle7.62×51mm NATO月刊アームズ・マガジン 2002年11月号 p40月刊アームズ・マガジン 2006年12月号 p29『丸』2012年8月号p88M24 A2 Sniper RifleM24 7.62mm sniper rifle Bolt action sniper rifle7.62×51mm NATOMade by Remington Arms. Introduced to the JSDF in 2002, it is used by snipers, the 1st Airborne Brigade and Special Forces Group. A total of were purchased by the JGSDF.
Being replaced by the HK417.Heckler & Koch HK417 - G28E2—DMR Designated marksman rifle7.62×51mm NATOSuccessor of the M24 A2. The intention to purchase a total of 900 of these rifles.
182 ordered in 2024 for $6.88 million.Grenades / grenade launchersM67 fragmentation grenade—Hand grenade——Type 06 rifle grenadeHEAT rifle grenade—Made by Daikin since 2006. The rifle can be used with both the Type 64 and the Type 89 rifles.Beretta GLX 160—Under-barrel grenade launcher40×46mm LVSelected to equip the Type 20 rifles.Howa Type 96Type 96 40mm automatic grenade launcherAGL Automatic grenade launcher40×56mmFirst entered service in 1996. It is a blow forward weapon and is used in both infantry and vehicle roles.Man-portable anti-tank systemsCarl Gustaf M2Howa 84RR / 84 mm Recoilless RifleRecoilless rifle84×246mmRAround 2,700 delivered between 1978 and 1990.
Made under licence by Howa. Carl Gustaf M4—Recoilless rifle84×246mmR300 ordered in 2023.Panzerfaust 3 Nissan 110mm LAM / 110mm personal anti-tank roundAnti-tank rocket launcher110mmContract signed in 1989. Made under license by Nissan/IHI IHI Aerospace.Type 79 Jyu-MATATM-2 Type 79 anti-landing craft anti-tank missileHeavy ATGM Anti-tank guided missile153mmUsed against tank and landing craft. Built by Kawasaki.Type 87 Chu-MATATM-3 Type 87 anti-tank guided missileATGM Anti-tank guided missile110mmLaser guided missile. Built by Kawasaki.Type 01 LMATATM-5 Type 01 light anti-tank guided missileFire-and-forget ATGM Anti-tank guided missile140mmBuilt by Kawasaki.MinesM18 Claymore mine—Directional fragmentation anti-personnel mine—Can be detonated either by tripwire or remote control.
Special forces use ImageModelOriginTypeCalibreNotesHandgunsH&K USPSemi-automatic pistol9×19mm ParabellumOnly Japanese Special Forces Group.Submachine gunsH&K MP5Submachine gun9×19mm ParabellumOnly Japanese Special Forces Group.H&K MP7PDW Personal defense weaponHK 4.6×30mmOnly Japanese Special Forces Group.Assault rifles and battle riflesM4 carbineAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATOOnly Japanese Special Forces Group.FN SCARAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATOOnly Japanese Special Forces Group.Heckler & Koch G36Assault rifle5.56×45mm NATOOnly Japanese Special Forces Group.Heckler & Koch HK416Assault rifle5.56×45mm NATOHK417Battle rifle7.62×51mm NATOBeing acquired for the JGSDF as the G28.Grenades / grenade launchersM203 grenade launcherUnderbarrel grenade launcher40x46mmUsed by the Special Forces Group alongside the M4 carbine. Milkor MGL - M32A1Rotary grenade launcher40x46mmMan-portable anti-tank systemsM72 LAWDisposable anti-tank rocket launcher66mm
Weapon accessories ImageModelOriginTypeUsed withQuantityNotesDeon MARCH-F Compact 1x-8x24Telescopic sightHowa Type 89 Howa Type 20
FN Minimi——Aimpoint M5BRed dot holographic sightHowa Type 20——EOTech EXPS3Red dot holographic sightHowa Type 20——
Indirect fire
Mortars ImageModelJapan designationOriginTypeCalibreQuantityNotesMortarsHirtenberger M6C-640T—Light mortar60mm—L16 81mm Mortar—Mortar81mm—Built under license with the ordnance by Howa. The procurement took place from the early 1990s to 2018.
It succeeds to the Type 64 mortar.MO-120 RT Mortier 120 mm Rayé Tracté (Modèle F1)—Heavy rifled towed mortar120mm504Built under license with the ordnance by Howa. MO-120 RT acquired from 1992 to 2023.
It succeeds to the M2 107 mm mortar.Self-propelled mortar—Type 96 120 mm self-propelled mortarMortar carrier120 mm24The mortar barrel used on the Type 96 is the MO-120 RT. The chassis used is based on the .
It succeeded to the Type 60 107 mm self-propelled mortar.Future self-propelled mortarsCTWV mortar carrier Common tactical wheeled vehicleWheeled armoured mortar carrier120 mm0 (+ 24 on order)Equipped with the Thales 2R2M.
Orders:
1 prototype in 2019. 8 in 2024 8 in 2025 8 in 2026———Tracked armoured mortar carrier120 mm—Successor of the Type 96 120 mm self-propelled mortar in development. To be equipped with the Thales 2R2M. To be based on the chassis of the successor of the Mitsubishi Type 89.
Howitzers ImageModelJapan designationOriginTypeCalibreQuantityNotesTowed howitzerFH-70155mm howitzerTowed howitzer155 mm L/39480Total of 480 built as of 2008.155mm榴弾砲 FH-70. Retrieved on May 6, 2008. Built under license with the ordnance by Japan Steel Works. Self-propelled howitzers—Type 99 155 mm Self-propelled HowitzerSelf-propelled howitzer155 mm L/52135Artillery system made by Japan Steel Works, chassis from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.—Type 19 155 mmWheeled self-propelled howitzer155 mm L/5258Artillery system made by Japan Steel Works, chassis from RMMV with the HX2 truck. Up to 200 planned to be purchased eventually Current orders:
7 in 2019 7 in 2020 7 in 2021 7 in 2022 16 in 2024 14 in 2025Artillery support—Ammunition resupply vehicle—18Equipped with a conveyor belt to resupply the Type 99. It can hold 90 155mm rounds. Manufactured by Hitachi Heavy Industries.18 are known to have been made between 2000 and 2019.—Artillery tow truck——
Rocket artillery ImageModelJapan designationOriginTypeQuantityNotesM270 MLRS—MLRS Multiple launch rocket system99Made under licence by IHI. M270 purchased between 1992 and 2004.
Expected to be retired in 2029.
Vehicle
Armoured vehicles
Armoured fighting vehicles ImageModelJapan designationOriginTypeWeaponsQuantityNotesTank / fire support vehicles—Type 10Main battle tankJSW 120 L/44(120 mm) coaxial
M2 Browning on pintle mount139 (ordered as of 2025)Built by MHI.—Type 90Main battle tankJSW / Rh-120 L44(120 mm) coaxial
M2 Browning on pintle mount340Built by MHI until 2009.—Type 16 manoeuvre combat vehicleFire support vehicleJSW 105 L/52(105 mm) coaxial
M2 Browning on pintle mount255 (ordered as of 2025)Built by MHI.Infantry fighting vehicles / reconnaissance vehicles—Type 89 IFVInfantry fighting vehicleOerlikon KDE(35×228mm) 2 × Type 79 Jyu-MAT70Built by MHI. Ordered between 1989 and 2004.—Type 87 RCV Reconnaissance Combat VehicleReconnaissance vehicleOerlikon KBA (NATO 25×137mm)111Built by Komatsu. Based on the chassis of the Type 82 Command and Communication Vehicle.
Ordered between 1987 and 2013.Tank destroyers—Type 96 multi-purpose missile systemAnti-tank vehicle / Anti-landing craft vehicleHeavy anti-tank missile
(Long range fibre optic guided missile)37Built by Kawasaki. Ordered between 1996 and 2011.—Middle-range multi-purpose missile system (Chū-MPMS)Anti-tank vehicle / Anti-landing craft vehicleMulti-purpose missile - medium range119Built by MHI and Komatsu. Ordered between 2009 and 2020.Future armoured fighting vehicles——Infantry combat vehicleInfantry fighting vehicle——New platform in development to replace the Mitsubishi Type 89 IFV.——Infantry fighting vehicleMk44 Bushmaster II chain gun(30×173mm) Mk52 Bushmaster coaxial machine gun(7.62mm NATO)0 (+ 42 on order)Platform: Common tactical wheeled vehicle
Orders:
1 prototype (budget 2019) 24 (budget 2024) 18 (budget 2025)
150 planned.—Type 25 Reconnaissance and Combat VehicleReconnaissance vehicleMk44 Bushmaster II chain gun(30×173mm) Mk52 Bushmaster coaxial machine gun(7.62mm NATO)0 (+ 24 on order)Platform: Common tactical wheeled vehicle
Orders: