List of modern equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force

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

Infantry weapons

Name	Type	Quantity	Notes	Picture
Guns
Standard issue
SCK/Minebea 9mm Pistol	Semi-automatic pistol		Made under license by Minebea
Minebea 9mm Machine Pistol	Machine Pistol		Made by Minebea
Howa Type 89	Assault rifle		Made by Howa
Howa Type 64	Battle rifle		Made by Howa
Sumitomo MINIMI 5.56mm Machine Gun	Light machine gun		Made under license by Sumitomo
NTK/Sumitomo Type 62 machine gun	General purpose machine gun		Made by Sumitomo
NTK/Sumitomo Type 74 In-vehicle machine gun	In-vehicle machine gun		Made by Sumitomo
Sumitomo M2 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun	Heavy Machine gun		Made under license by Sumitomo
M24 Sniper Rifle	Sniper Rifle
Howa Type 64 Sniper Rifle	Sniper Rifle		Made by Howa
Howa Type 96 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher	Automatic Grenade Launcher		Made by Howa
Type 06 rifle grenade	rifle grenade		Made by Daikin
M67 series fragmentation grenade	Hand grenade		Produced under license by a domestic concern (Daikin?). Still in at least limited service, including training and reserve units.
M18 Claymore mine	Directional fragmentation Anti-personnel mine (Command activated)		Licensed production by?
Howa 84RR	recoilless rifle		Made under license by Howa
Nissan/IHI Aerospace 110mm LAM	Anti-Tank rocket launcher		Made under license by Nissan/IHI IHI Aerospace
Special forces
H&K USP	Semi-automatic pistol		Only Japanese Special Forces Group.
H&K MP7	Machine pistol		Only Japanese Special Forces Group.
M4 carbine	Assault rifle		Only Japanese Special Forces Group.
M203 grenade launcher	grenade launcher		Only Japanese Special Forces Group.
M72 LAW (Light Anti-Tank Weapon)	Anti-Tank rocket launcher (Disposable)		Used by 1st Airborne Brigade, WAIR, and Japanese Special Forces Group.
M32A1 multi-shot grenade launcher	Grenade launcher		Only known to be in use with WAIR.
mortar
Type 96 Heavy mortar (RT 120mm Mortar)	Heavy mortar	430	built under license with the ordnance by howa
L16 81mm Mortar	mortar		built under license with the ordnance by howa
Hirtenberger M6C-210	Light mortar
Howitzer
FH-70 Towed Howitzer	Howitzer	480	built under license with the ordnance by Japan Steel Works

Uniforms

Name	Used by	Notes	Period used
Camouflage patterns
Type I Camouflage	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. Copied by China in its Experimental PLA Woodland Flecktarn Camouflage.	1970s–1990s (still in limited use in 2014)
Type II Flecktarn camouflage	Currently used by the JGSDF, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Japan National Defense Academy cadets, and JASDF Air Rescue Wings Pararescuemen.	Second domestically designed pattern. As in the case of the Type I has been copied by China.	1991–present
Type II brown-dominant winter pattern	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.	1991–present
Type III Flecktarn camouflage	Recently adopted by the JGSDF	Modified from Type II pattern with a 50% cotton/50% polyester fabric and other changes including a change in the front closure, a mandarin collar, Velcro cuffs, and knee pads in the trousers.	2007–present
JGSDF Desert Flecktarn camouflage	JGSDF International Peace Cooperation Activities Training Unit, JGSDF Central Readiness Force	Recently adopted by the JGSDF for Middle Eastern deployments. This camo is a desert version of the JGSDF's flectarn 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
Under Construction

(See also List of military clothing camouflage patterns [Asia A-M])

Other equipment

JSDF standard Personal protective equipment (also known semi-officially as Type 00) NBC suit. Produced by Toyobo in cooperation with Nikko research co., Ltd.

• Type 88 helmet
• Type I Combat Rations - Can-meshi (canned type ration packs)
• Type II Combat Rations - Pack-meshi (boiled in bag type ration packs)

 See also: Field ration#Asia (Japan)

• Survival Ration Pack - (Emergency rations for aircrew, etc. Also used by ASDF & MSDF.)
• Training Rations - (commercial style perishable food/drink items used in exercises, on base, and when supplying civilians at PR events or during disaster relief)
• MCW/LRP ration - Japanese produced equivalent
• Personal protective equipment (Type 00)

Type 88 helmet

Missiles

Anti-tank, anti-ship missiles

• Type 01 Light Anti-Tank Missile (1,073)
• Type 79 Anti-Landing craft and Anti-Tank Missile
• Type 87 Anti-Tank Missile
• Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile
• Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile (6 sets now in service as of July 2013, deployed to the Western Army 5th and 6th Anti-Ship Missile Regiment)
• Type 96 Multi-Purpose Missile System
• Middle range Multi Purpose Missile System(Chū-MPMS) (46)

Surface-to-air missile

• Improved-HAWK
• FIM-92A Stinger (80)
• PZR Grom (1)
• Type 81 Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (57)
• Type 91 Portable Surface-to-Air Missile (210)
• Type 93 Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (90)
• Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile
• Type 11 Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (5+)

Vehicles

Name	Type	Quantity	Notes	Picture
Armoured vehicles
Type 10 Main Battle Tank	Main Battle Tank	53	built by Mitsubishi
Type 90 Main Battle Tank	Main Battle Tank	341	built by Mitsubishi
Type 74 Main Battle Tank	Main Battle Tank	280-	built by Mitsubishi
Maneuver Combat Vehicle	wheeled tank destroyer	4(99 on order)	built by Mitsubishi
Type 89 Infantry Fighting Vehicle	Infantry Fighting Vehicle	68	built by Mitsubishi
Type 82 Command and Communication Vehicle	Command and Communication Vehicle	231	built by Komatsu
Type 87 Reconnaissance and Warning Vehicle	Reconnaissance and Warning Vehicle	111	built by Komatsu
Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle	Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle	47	built by Komatsu
Komatsu Light Armored Vehicle	Light armored vehicle	1673	built by Komatsu
Type 73 Armored Personnel Carrier	Armored personnel carrier	338	built by Mitsubishi
Type 96 Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier	Armored personnel carrier	365	built by Komatsu
Type 92 Mine Clearance Vehicle (not to be confused with Type 92 mine roller)	Mine Clearance Vehicle - Equipped with a MCLC system.	?	built by Nissan Motor Aerospace division (pre-2000)/IHI Aerospace Co., Ltd./Hitachi
Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle	Infantry mobility vehicle	(4 on order)
Assault Amphibious Vehicle(AAVP-7A1)	Armoured personnel carrier	(4 AAVP-7A1s being tested, out of a requirement for 52.)
NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle	Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Reconnaissance Vehicle	17(33 on order)	built by Komatsu
Artillery
Type 99 155 mm Self-propelled Howitzer	Self-propelled artillery	111	built by Mitsubishi/Japan Steel Works
Type 99 Artillery Support Vehicle	Ammunition resupply vehicle		built by Hitachi
M270 MLRS	Multiple rocket launcher	99	built under license with the ordnance by IHI AEROSPACE
M110 Self-propelled Howitzer	Self-propelled artillery	91	built under license with the ordnance by Japan Steel Works and Komatsu
Type 87 Artillery Support Vehicle	Ammunition resupply vehicle		built by Hitachi
Type 96 120mm Self-Propelled Mortar	Self-Propelled Mortar	24	Also known as the Gottohanma. Built by Hitachi/Howa
Type 87 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun	Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun	52	built by Mitsubishi

Other vehicles

• Combat Engineer Vehicle
• Type 91 AVLB (Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge)
• Hitachi Type 73 Artillery tractor
• Mitsubishi Type 73 Light Truck
• Toyota Type 73 Medium Truck
• Isuzu Type 73 Heavy Truck
• Commercial grade trucks, e.g. Isuzu Forward (Used for peacetime/rear line tasks only)
• Toyota High Mobility Vehicle
• Honda XLR250R Reconnaissance motorcycle
• Kawasaki KLX250 Reconnaissance motorcycle
• Morooka ShizaiUnpansha (small tracked truck/materials carrier)
• Field Cooking Unit 1 - Mobile field kitchen, usually in the form of a well equipped trailer. Proved very useful during the aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku disaster. The latest version, being introduced into service from 2012 onwards, is the Mark 22.
• Type 92 mine roller - Developed from 1988 onwards, accepted and received its Type designation in 1992 (causing some potential confusion with the Type 92 Mine Clearance Vehicle, see main Vehicles section). Incorporates electronic as well as mechanical mine countermeasures. Can be used by a wide range of GSDF vehicles, including the Type 74/Type 90/Type 10 MBTs, the Type 89 IFV, and the Type 87 SPAAG.

Type 92 mine roller

Aircraft

The JGSDF operates 497 fixed-wing and rotary aircraft (2014).

Name	Role	Type	Number	Notes	Photo
Fixed-wing aircraft
Beechcraft Super King Air	Utility and Liaison	LR-2	7
Mitsubishi MU-2	Utility and Liaison	LR-1	2
Helicopters
Boeing AH-64 Apache	Attack Helicopter	AH-64DJP	13	Built by Fuji
Bell AH-1 Cobra	Attack Helicopter	AH-1S	88	Built by Fuji
Kawasaki OH-1	Scout Helicopter	OH-1	38	Up to 112 on order. Replacing the OH-6D fleet.
OH-6D	Scout Helicopter	OH-6D	106	Built by Kawasaki. Being slowly replaced by the Kawasaki OH-1.
Boeing CH-47 Chinook	Transport Helicopter	CH-47J CH-47JA	58	Built by Kawasaki
UH-60 Black Hawk	Transport Helicopter	UH-60JA	34	Most built by Mitsubishi
Bell UH-1	Utility Helicopter	UH-1H UH-1J	153	Built by Fuji
Enstrom 480	Trainer helicopter	TH-480B	12	8 on order.
Eurocopter EC 225	VIP Helicopter	EC 225LP	3	Replacing the AS332L
UAVs
Fuji FFOS & Fuji FFRS	Recon UAV			Small helicopter UAV. Primarily used as a forward reconnaissance platform for field artillery.
Boeing Insitu ScanEagle	Recon UAV		1	Delivered by Insitu Pacific
Yamaha R-MAX	Recon UAV			Small helicopter UAV
Honeywell RQ-16 T-Hawk	Surveillance UAV			Apparently in service in some numbers with the Central Readiness Force. Used primarily for hazardous area reconnaissance (e.g. radiation survey).

Historic, retired or reserve equipment

Small arms

• M1 Garand semi automatic rifle (Standard rifle of the JGSDF from shortly after it's foundation up until the widespread adoption of the Type 64 battle rifle in the mid-1960s. Still in ceremonial use with some units.)
• M1 Carbine only M2 has Selective fire (Inherited from National Safety Forces. Used in the JGSDF for training up until around the 1990s. Some reported to be still in storage with reserve units.)
• Type 99 short rifle (Kai Ki) - Old IJA rifles refurbished and modified to fire .30-06 Springfield rounds. Originally intended for the South Korean gendarmerie, most were diverted to help equip the National Police Reserve. Obsolete almost from the moment they were issued, were used up to the early 1970s mainly for training purposes.
• Thompson submachine gun [M1A1 variant] (Inherited from National Police Reserve. Was used by the GSDF until being gradually phased out in the 1970s.)
• M3 submachine gun
• M1903 Springfield rifle
• M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (Inherited from National Police Reserve)
• M1919 Browning machine gun
• M2 flamethrower (M2A1-2 & M2A1-7 variants)
• SCK New Nambu M66 submachine gun
• 11.4 mm pistol (Colt M1911) Pistol
• 9.65 mm pistol (Colt Detective Special revolver) (Inherited from National Police Reserve)
• Mk 2 defensive hand grenade (Ex-US Army stocks)
• M26 series fragmentation hand grenade
• MK3A1 Offensive Grenade (Ex-US Army stocks)
• M31 HEAT rifle grenade (Used with both the M1 Garand and Type 64 rifles. Still used for basic training and in reserve units.)

JGSDF soldiers in olive drab BDUs prepare to fire M31 HEAT rifle grenades during training.

Other equipment

• Type 66 helmet
• U.S. Army M-1943 Uniform - Japanese produced variants of 1950 & 1951 patterns
• OG-107 Uniform - Japanese produced variants
• M-1956 Load-Carrying Equipment - Japanese produced variant
• All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment - Japanese produced variant
• M1 and M1905E1 bayonets - Inherited from National Police Reserve
• M4 bayonet - Japanese modified/produced
• M5 bayonet - Japanese production
• C-rations
• P-38 can opener
• D-rations/Tropical Bars
• Ration, Cold Weather
• M-1942 mess kit
• T-10 parachute - Produced under licence by Fuji Sangyo Co. Ltd. (Fujikura Parachute)
• G-11 Cargo Parachute - Produced under licence by Fujikura Parachute
• G-12 Cargo Parachute - Produced under licence by Fuji Sangyo Co. Ltd.

Type 66 helmet

Tanks

• M4 Sherman (Ex-US Army inventory)
• M24 Chaffee (Ex-US Army inventory)
• M41 Walker Bulldog
• Type 61

Artillery

• M1 155 mm Howitzer
• M2A1 105 mm Howitzer
• M2 203 mm Howitzer
• M59 155 mm Cannon
• Type 74 105 mm Self-propelled howitzer
• Type 75 130 mm Multiple Surface-to-Surface Rocket
• Type 30 Tactical Free Flight Rocket

Anti-tank guided missiles

• TATM-2 ('Heavy' Anti-Tank Missile, in the same class as the Australian Malkara. Likely procured in very limited numbers.)
• Type 64 Anti-Tank Missile (Also known as ATM-1, or more commonly KAM-3D. Relatively small stocks still held in reserve)

Anti-aircraft guns

• M51 75 mm Anti-Aircraft Gun
• M42 40 mm Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun
• M-15 Self-propelled anti-aircraft machineguns (M15A1 CGMC)
• L-90 35mm Anti-Aircraft Twin Cannon
• Bofors 40 mm gun

Other armored fighting vehicles

• Type 60 Armored Personnel Carrier (Also known as SU 60. A few examples modified late in life as KAM-3D ATGM carriers may still be in reserve.)
• Type 60 Self-propelled 106 mm Recoilless Rifle
• M20 Armored Utility Car (A number of examples delivered to the NPR along with a few older M8s)
• Type 67 Armored Engineering Vehicle (Prototype [known as SD] created from the conversion by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of a M4A3E8 in 1962, with production examples to be new build vehicles based on the Type 61 chassis. Planned procurement from 1967 onwards was precluded by financial constraints, however.)

Light and Utility Vehicles

• Willys MB (Transferred from U.S. Army stocks at the time of the National Police Reserve.)
• Mitsubishi Jeep J2 (Inherited from National Safety Forces.)
• Toyota Jeep BJ (Developed to NPR requirement, first 298 examples delivered to National Safety Force in 1953 as it's 'official patrol car'. Further procurement for the NSF curtailed. Note: Jeep BJ direct ancestor of Toyota Land Cruiser.)
• Toyota/Nissan 3/4 ton truck (In service from 1950s to 1970s.)
• Toyota 2FQ-15 (FQ-10 ?) 4x4 truck (Inherited from NPR. Reportedly based on the Dodge M37.)
• Toyota FQ-15 (known to U.S. Army as HQ-15) 6X6 heavy duty truck
• Rikuo Type 97
• Harley-Davidson WLA (From U.S. Army Stocks, likely in relatively limited numbers but not confirmed.)

Aircraft

• Kawasaki KAQ-1 (Target drone)
• Kawasaki KAT-1 (1 [First prototype])
• Beechcraft/Fuji T-34 Mentor (Model B45)
• Fuji LM-1 Nikko (27)
• Fuji LM-2 (2)
• Fuji TL-1 (2)
• Mitsubishi (Sikorsky) H-19C (First general purpose helicopter procured for the GSDF, from 1954 onwards.)
• Kawasaki (Hughes) TH-55J Light utility and training helicopter (38)
• Kawasaki KH-4
• Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Hughes) OH-6 (387 produced under Licence)