List of equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The following is a list of equipment currently in service with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
Base supplies
Camouflage patterns
| Images | Model | Origin | Pattern type | Environment / colours | User | Period use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type I Camouflage | 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.[1] | ||
| Type II camouflage | 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.[1] | ||
| Type II brown-dominant winter pattern | 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.[1] | ||
| Type III camouflage | Flecktarn | Temperate | JGSDF | Since 2007 | Modified from ''Type II'' pattern.[1] | ||
| 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.[1] |
Protection
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Origin | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat helmet | |||||
| PASGT helmet
Personnel Armor System for Ground Troop |
Type 88 helmet | Combat helmet
(Kevlar) |
Standard issue helmet.
Successor of the Type 66 helmet.[2] | ||
| M1 Helmet | Type 66 helmet | Combat helmet
(iron alloy) |
Entered service in 1966, it remains in use for non-combat missions, training exercises, parades and in the reserve forces.[3][4]
Largely replaced by the Type 88 helmet. | ||
| Ops-Core FAST
Future Assault Shell Technology helmet |
— | Combat helmet
(UHMWPE material) |
Used by special units. | ||
| Body armour | |||||
| PASGT
Personnel Armor System for Ground Troop |
Type 1 bulletproof vest | Bulletproof vest | First body armour fully introduced by the JGSDF in 1992.[5]
Derived from the PASGT. | ||
| — | Type 2 bulletproof vest | Bulletproof vest | [6][5]
Successor of the Type 1 bulletproof vest. The camouflage is the Type II. | ||
| — | Type 3 bulletproof vest | Bulletproof vest | [7][5]
Successor to the Type 2 bulletproof vest. Procured with the fiscal year 2012 budget. | ||
| — | Type 18 Armoured Vest System | Bulletproof vest | [8]
Successor to the Type 3 bulletproof vest. Procured with the fiscal year 2023 budget. | ||
Electronic equipment
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Origin | Type | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AN/PVS-14 | JGVS-V8 and
JGVS-V8 B |
Personal night vision device
GaAS visible light amplification 3rd generation |
> 22,942 | License produced by NEC.
Successor JGVS-V3.[9] |
Infantry weapons
Standard issue weapons
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Origin | Type | Calibre | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handguns | ||||||
| SIG Sauer P220 | Minebea P9 | Semi-automatic pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum | Standard issue as of 1982, and currently being replaced.[10]
Made under license by Minebea. | ||
| H&K SFP9-M | — | Semi-automatic pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum | Successor of the SIG P220 as new standard issue pistol, introduced in 2020.[11]
Purchases: | ||
| Submachine guns | ||||||
| Minebea PM-9 | M9 | Submachine gun | 9×19mm Parabellum | Successor of the Uzi, and also derived from it.[15]
Introduced in 1999. | ||
| Assault rifles and battle rifles | ||||||
| Howa Type 20 | Type 20 assault rifle | Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | New service rifle succeeding to the Howa Type 89 and the Howa Type 64.[16]
The grenade launcher selected for the Type 20 is the Beretta GLX160.[17] 38,057 ordered for the JGSDF from 2020 to 2025, 10,000 planned with the 2026 budget. | ||
| Howa Type 89 | Type 89 assault rifle | Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | Service rifle that entered service in 1989.[18]
Complemented the Howa Type 64 battle rifles. Being replaced by the Howa Type 20. | ||
| Howa Type 64 | Type 64 battle rifle | Battle rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | Service rifle that entered service in 1964.
Being replaced by the Howa Type 20. | ||
| Machine guns | ||||||
| FN Minimi | 5.56mm Machine Gun MINIMI | LMG
Light machine gun |
5.56×45mm NATO | Standard squad-level machine gun.[19]
First order in 1993, succeeded to the Type 62 machine gun. 4,922 ordered by 2017. | ||
| FN Minimi MK3 | 5.56mm Machine Gun MINIMI(B) | LMG
Light machine gun |
5.56×45mm NATO | Successor of the Gen 1 Minimi. Selected in a competition against the HK MG4.
3,100 planned to be purchased. 514 ordered in 2024.[17] | ||
| Sumitomo Type 62 | Type 62 7.62mm machine gun | GPMG
General-purpose machine gun |
7.62×51mm NATO | Mostly replaced, but remains in service for infantry support.[21] | ||
| Sumitomo Type 74 | Type 74 vehicle-mounted 7.62mm machine gun | GPMG - vehicle based
General-purpose machine gun |
7.62×51mm NATO | Fixed-mount variant of the Type 62 used specifically for armoured fighting vehicles.[22] | ||
| M2 Browning | J2 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun | HMG
Heavy machine gun |
12.7×99mm NATO
(.50 BMG) |
Made under license by Sumitomo.[23] | ||
| Precision rifles | ||||||
| Howa Type 64 | Type 64 7.62mm sniper rifle | DMR
Designated marksman rifle |
7.62×51mm NATO | [24][25][26] | ||
| M24 A2 Sniper Rifle | M24 7.62mm sniper rifle | Bolt action sniper rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | Made by Remington Arms. Introduced to the JSDF in 2002, it is used by snipers,[27] the 1st Airborne Brigade[28] and Special Forces Group.[29]
A total of 1,304 M24A2 guns were purchased by the JGSDF. Being replaced by the HK417.[17] | ||
| Heckler & Koch HK417 - G28E2 | — | DMR
Designated marksman rifle |
7.62×51mm NATO | Successor of the M24 A2.[17]
The intention to purchase a total of 900 of these rifles.[17] 182 ordered in 2024 for $6.88 million.[30] | ||
| Grenades / grenade launchers | ||||||
| M67 fragmentation grenade | — | Hand grenade | — | [31] | ||
| — | Type 06 rifle grenade | HEAT rifle grenade | — | Made by Daikin since 2006.
The rifle can be used with both the Type 64 and the Type 89 rifles.[32] | ||
| Beretta GLX 160 | — | Under-barrel grenade launcher | 40×46mm LV | Selected to equip the Type 20 rifles.[17] | ||
| Howa Type 96 | Type 96 40mm automatic grenade launcher | AGL
Automatic grenade launcher |
40×56mm | [33]
First entered service in 1996. It is a blow forward weapon and is used in both infantry and vehicle roles.[34] | ||
| Man-portable anti-tank systems | ||||||
| Carl Gustaf M2 | Howa 84RR /
84 mm Recoilless Rifle |
Recoilless rifle | 84×246mmR | [35]
Around 2,700 delivered between 1978 and 1990. Made under licence by Howa. | ||
| Carl Gustaf M4 | — | Recoilless rifle | 84×246mmR | [36][37]
300 ordered in 2023. | ||
| Panzerfaust 3 | Nissan 110mm LAM /
110mm personal anti-tank round |
Anti-tank rocket launcher | 110mm | Contract signed in 1989.[38] | ||
| Type 79 Jyu-MAT | ATM-2
Type 79 anti-landing craft anti-tank missile |
Heavy ATGM
Anti-tank guided missile |
153mm | Used against tank and landing craft. | ||
| Type 87 Chu-MAT | ATM-3
Type 87 anti-tank guided missile |
ATGM
Anti-tank guided missile |
110mm | Laser guided missile. | ||
| Type 01 LMAT | ATM-5
Type 01 light anti-tank guided missile |
Fire-and-forget ATGM
Anti-tank guided missile |
140mm | Built by Kawasaki.[42] | ||
| Mines | ||||||
| M18 Claymore mine | — | Directional fragmentation anti-personnel mine | — | Can be detonated either by tripwire or remote control.[43] | ||
Special forces use
Weapon accessories
| Image | Model | Origin | Type | Used with | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deon MARCH-F Compact 1x-8x24 | Telescopic sight | Howa Type 89 | — | — | ||
| Aimpoint M5B | Red dot holographic sight | Howa Type 20 | — | — | ||
| EOTech EXPS3 | Red dot holographic sight | Howa Type 20 | — | — |
Indirect fire
Mortars
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Origin | Type | Calibre | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mortars | |||||||
| Hirtenberger M6C-640T | — | Light mortar | 60mm | — | [55] | ||
| L16 81mm Mortar | — | Mortar | 81mm | — | Built under license with the ordnance by Howa.[56]
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 mortar | 120mm | 504 | Built under license with the ordnance by Howa.[57]
504 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 mortar | Mortar carrier | 120 mm | 24 | The mortar barrel used on the Type 96 is the MO-120 RT.[58][59]
The chassis used is based on the Type 92 minefield clearing vehicle. It succeeded to the Type 60 107 mm self-propelled mortar. | ||
| Future self-propelled mortars | |||||||
| CTWV mortar carrier
Common tactical wheeled vehicle |
Type 24 Mobile 120 mm Mortar | Wheeled armoured mortar carrier | 120 mm | 0
(+ 24 on order) |
[60]
Equipped with the Thales 2R2M.[61] Orders: | ||
| — | — | — | Tracked armoured mortar carrier | 120 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.[66] | |
Howitzers
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Origin | Type | Calibre | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Towed howitzer | |||||||
| FH-70 | 155mm howitzer | Towed howitzer | 155 mm L/39 | 480 | Total of 480 built as of 2008.[67]
Built under license with the ordnance by Japan Steel Works. | ||
| Self-propelled howitzers | |||||||
| — | Type 99 155 mm Self-propelled Howitzer | Self-propelled howitzer | 155 mm L/52 | 135 | Artillery system made by Japan Steel Works, chassis from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.[68] | ||
| — | Type 19 155 mm | Wheeled self-propelled howitzer | 155 mm L/52 | 58 | Artillery system made by Japan Steel Works, chassis from RMMV with the HX2 truck.[69][70][71]
Up to 200 planned to be purchased eventually [72] Current orders: | ||
| Artillery support | |||||||
| — | Type 99 ammunition supply vehicle | Ammunition resupply vehicle | — | 18 | Equipped 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.[78][79] | ||
| — | Medium gun towing vehicle | Artillery tow truck | — | — | [80] | ||
Rocket artillery
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Origin | Type | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M270 MLRS | — | MLRS
Multiple launch rocket system |
99 | Made under licence by IHI.
99 M270 purchased between 1992 and 2004. Expected to be retired in 2029. |
Vehicle
Armoured vehicles
Armoured fighting vehicles
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Origin | Type | Weapons | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tank / fire support vehicles | |||||||
| — | Type 10 | Main battle tank | JSW 120 L/44 (120 mm) Type 74 coaxial |
139
(ordered as of 2025) |
Built by MHI.[81][82] | ||
| — | Type 90 | Main battle tank | JSW / Rh-120 L44 (120 mm) Type 74 coaxial |
340 | Built by MHI until 2009.[83][84] | ||
| — | Type 16 manoeuvre combat vehicle | Fire support vehicle | JSW 105 L/52 (105 mm) Type 74 coaxial |
255
(ordered as of 2025) |
Built by MHI.[85][86][87] | ||
| Infantry fighting vehicles / reconnaissance vehicles | |||||||
| — | Type 89 IFV | Infantry fighting vehicle | Oerlikon KDE (35×228mm) 2 × Type 79 Jyu-MAT Type 74 |
70 | Built by MHI.[88][89][90]
Ordered between 1989 and 2004. | ||
| — | Type 87 RCV
Reconnaissance Combat Vehicle |
Reconnaissance vehicle | Oerlikon KBA (NATO 25×137mm) Type 74 |
111 | Built by Komatsu.[91]
Based on the chassis of the Type 82 Command and Communication Vehicle. Ordered between 1987 and 2013. | ||
| Tank destroyers | |||||||
| — | Type 96 multi-purpose missile system | Anti-tank vehicle / | ATM-4 HATM
Heavy anti-tank missile (Long range fibre optic guided missile) |
37 | Built by Kawasaki.[92][93][94]
Ordered between 1996 and 2011. | ||
| — | Middle-range multi-purpose missile system (Chū-MPMS) | Anti-tank vehicle / | ATM-6 MPM-MR
Multi-purpose missile - medium range |
119 | Built by MHI and Komatsu.
Ordered between 2009 and 2020. | ||
| Future armoured fighting vehicles | |||||||
| — | — | Infantry combat vehicle | Infantry fighting vehicle | — | — | New platform in development to replace the Mitsubishi Type 89 IFV.[66] | |
| — | — | Type 24 ICV - Infantry combat vehicle | Infantry fighting vehicle | Mk44 Bushmaster II chain gun (30×173mm) Mk52 Bushmaster coaxial machine gun |
0
(+ 42 on order) |
[95][96][97]
Platform: Common tactical wheeled vehicle Orders: 150 planned.[99] | |
| — | Type 25 RCV - Reconnaissance combat vehicle | Reconnaissance vehicle | Mk44 Bushmaster II chain gun (30×173mm) Mk52 Bushmaster coaxial machine gun |
0
(+ 24 on order) |
[95][96][97]
Platform: Common tactical wheeled vehicle Orders: 120 planned.[99] | ||
| — | — | Multi-Purpose Missile System Kai (MPMS Kai) | Anti-tank vehicle / | 0
(+ 42 on order) |
[100]
Successor of the Type 96 MPMS. Orders:
| ||
Amphibious assault vehicles
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Origin | Type | Weapons | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAV-7A1 | AAVP7A1 RAM/RS
Reliability, Availability, Maintainability/Rebuild to Standard |
Amphibious armoured personnel carrier | UGWS weapon station
(M2 Browning and Mk19 AGL) |
46 | Imported from BAE Systems.[101][102] | ||
| AAV-7A1 | AAVC7A1 RAM/RS
Reliability, Availability, Maintainability/Rebuild to Standard |
Amphibious command and control vehicle | — | 6 | Imported from BAE Systems.[101][102] | ||
| AAV-7A1 | AAVR7A1 RAM/RS
Reliability, Availability, Maintainability/Rebuild to Standard |
Amphibious armoured recovery vehicle | — | 6 | Imported from BAE Systems.[101][102] |
Multi-role armoured vehicles
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Origin | Type | Weapons | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel carriers | |||||||
| — | Type 73 APC | Armoured personnel carrier | M2 Browning on pintle mount | 338 | Built by MHI and by Komatsu.[103][104][105]
Manufactured in 1973, entered service in 1974. | ||
| — | Type 96 wheeled APC | Armoured personnel carrier | M2 Browning and Howa Type 96 AGL on pintle mount | 381 | Built by Komatsu.[105]
Procured from 1996 and 2016. Being replaced by the Patria AMVXP.[106][107] | ||
| Patria AMVXP | — | Armoured personnel carrier | — | 1[107]
(+ 82 on order) |
Licence production by Japan Steel Works.[108]
810 planned in total as the Type 96 replacement. Procurement: | ||
| Komatsu LAV | — | Armoured car | Pintle mounts for anti-tank guided missile and machine gun | 1,818 | Built from 2002 to 2019.[111]
1,818 ordered by the 2015 budget. Exists in multiple variants. To be replaced by the Mowag Eagle V or the Thales Hawkei | ||
| Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle | — | Infantry mobility mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle | — | 8 | Built by Thales Australia.
Used by the CRR in case of emergency evacuation of Japanese citizens needed. Purchases: | ||
| Command vehicles | |||||||
| — | Type 82 Command and Communication Vehicle | Command and control vehicle | M2 Browning and Type 62 on pintle mounts[115] | 231[116] | Built by Komatsu.[115]
Delivered between 1982 and 1999.[116] | ||
| Future personnel carriers | |||||||
| — | — | — | Tracked armoured personnel carrier | — | New tracked platform in development to replace the Type 73 armored personnel carrier.[66] | ||
| — | Mowag Eagle V | Armoured car | — | 1[117] | Ongoing selection of the
Komatsu LAV successor.[118][117][119] ~ 2,000 to be produced under licence: | ||
| Thales Hawkei | 1[117] | ||||||
Engineering equipment
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Base vehicle | Origin | Type | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recovery vehicles | |||||||
| — | Type 11 ARV | Type 10 tank | ARV
Armoured recovery vehicle |
4 | [121][122]
Built by MHI. | ||
| — | Type 90 ARV | Type 90 tank | ARV
Armoured recovery vehicle |
30 | [123]
Built by MHI. | ||
| — | Type 78 ARV | Type 74 tank | ARV
Armoured recovery vehicle |
36 | [124][125]
Built by MHI. | ||
| Engineering vehicles | |||||||
| — | Facility work vehicle | Hitachi Type 73 | AEV
Armoured engineering vehicle |
13 | [126]
Built by Komatsu. | ||
| — | — | Type 23 Bulldozer | — | Armoured bulldozer | — | Procured in 2023.[127]
Successor of the Type 75 dozer.[128] | |
| Demining vehicles | |||||||
| — | Type 92 minefield processing roller | Type 90 tank / | Mine roller | — | Roller to equip the Type 74 / 90 tank.[129]
Built by MHI. | ||
| — | Type 92 MCV | Hitachi Type 73 | MCV
Mine clearance vehicle |
— | [130][131]
Equipped with 2 line charges. a | ||
| Bridging vehicles | |||||||
| — | Type 91 AVLB | Type 74 tank | AVLB
Armoured vehicle-launched bridge |
22 | [132][133]
Built by MHI. | ||
| Nuclear, biological, and/or chemical reconnaissance vehicles | |||||||
| — | Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle | Type 82 Command and Communication Vehicle | Chemical reconnaissance vehicle | 34 | [134]
Built by Komatsu. | ||
| — | NBC reconnaissance car | Type 96 APC | CBRN reconnaissance vehicle
Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear |
21 | [135]
Built by Komatsu. Developed from 2005 to 2009, procured in 2010. | ||
Unarmoured vehicles
Light and tactical vehicles
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Origin | Type | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light armoured fighting vehicle | ||||||
| Toyota Mega Cruiser | High-mobility vehicle | AFV
Armoured fighting vehicle |
— | Built by Toyota. Production ceased in 2001.[136]
Used in multiple variants. Examples:
| ||
| Utility vehicles | ||||||
| — | Mitsubishi Type 73 Light Truck 1st generation | 4×4 utility vehicle | — | Production ceased in 1997, based on the Jeep CJ-3B.[137] | ||
| — | Mitsubishi Type 73 Light Truck 2nd generation | 4×4 utility vehicle | — | Built since 1996, based on the Mitsubishi Pajero.[137] | ||
| Motorcycles | ||||||
| Kawasaki KLX250 | — | Scout motorcycle | — | [138] | ||
Logistics vehicles
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Origin | Type | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tactical trucks | ||||||
| — | Toyota Type 73 medium truck | 4×4 tactical truck | — | Built by Toyota. Used specifically for transport purposes. | ||
| Heavy trucks | ||||||
| — | Isuzu Type 73 heavy truck | Heavy truck | — | Built by Isuzu. | ||
| Mitsubishi Fuso Super Great (FW) | Mitsubishi Fuso Type 74 extra-large truck | Heavy truck | — | Built by Mitsubishi Fuso (formerly Mitsubishi Motors) | ||
| Semi-trucks | ||||||
| Mitsubishi Fuso Super Great (FW Tractor-type) | Mitsubishi Fuso Type 73 semi-trailer truck | Semi-truck | — | Built by Mitsubishi Fuso (formerly Mitsubishi Motors) | ||
Air defence
Short range air defence
Anti-air cannons
| Image | Japan designation | Base vehicle | Origin | Type | Range | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 87 SPAAG | Type 74 tank. | Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun | 75 km (40 nmi) | 52 | Built by Mitsubishi.[139]
It uses 2 × Oerlikon KDA autocannons (35×228mm).[140] |
Man portable air-defence
| Image | Model | Origin | Type | Range | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 91 portable surface-to-air missile | Man-portable air-defense system | 5 km (2.7 nmi) | — | Built by Toshiba. | ||
| FIM-92A Stinger | Man-portable air-defense system | 5.5 km (3.0 nmi) | — | [141] |
Missile systems
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Origin | Type | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short range air-defence missile systems | ||||||
| — | Type 81 short-range surface-to-air missile | Surface-to-air missile system | 84 [142] | Built by Toshiba. | ||
| — | Type 93 short-range surface-to-air missile | Surface-to-air missile system | 90 [142] | Built by Toshiba. | ||
| — | Type 11 short-range surface-to-air missile | Surface-to-air missile system | 22 [142] | Built by Toshiba. | ||
| Medium range air defence missile systems | ||||||
| Improved-HAWK | — | Surface-to-air missile system | — | Made under license by Mitsubishi / Toshiba. | ||
| — | Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile | Surface-to-air missile system | — | Built by Mitsubishi / Toshiba. | ||
Coastal defence
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Origin | Type | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Type 12 surface-to-ship missile[143] | Anti-ship missile | — | Built by Mitsubishi. | ||
| — | Type 88 surface-to-ship missile[144] | Anti-ship missile | — | Built by Mitsubishi. |
Aircraft
Fixed wings aircraft
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Origin | Role | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beechcraft Super King Air B300 | LR-2
Liaison reconnaissance |
Reconnaissance and communications | 8 | [146] |
Rotary wings aircraft
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Origin | Type / role | Weapons | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attack rotary-wing aircraft | |||||||
| Bell AH-1 Cobra | AH-1S | Ground attack | BGM-71 TOW ATGM
4 × 38 70mm Hydra rocket |
71 | [147]
Built by Fuji under licence from Bell. Fleet starting to be retired. | ||
| Boeing AH-64 Apache | AH-64DJP Apache Longbow | Ground attack | 4 × 4 AGM-114 Hellfire ATGM
4 × 38 70mm Hydra rocket |
12 | [148]
13 built by Fuji under licence from Boeing, 1 crashed in 2018.[149] | ||
| — | Kawasaki OH-1 | Scout | 4 × Type 91 AAM | 36 | [150]
Successor of the OH-6D. | ||
| Transport rotary-wing aircraft | |||||||
| Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey | MV-22B | V/STOL transport | — | 17 | [151] | ||
| CH-47 Chinook | Kawasaki CH-47J/JA | Heavy transport helicopter | — | 66 | [152]
Built under licence by Kawasaki. J variant operational since 1984, JA since 1995. | ||
| UH-60 Black Hawk | Mitsubishi UH-60JA | Transport helicopter | — | 39 | [153]
Built under licence by Mitsubishi. A total of fourty purchased, one lost on the 6 April 2023. | ||
| Utility rotary-wing aircraft | |||||||
| Bell UH-1 Iroquois | Fuji UH-1J | Utility helicopter | Type 87 mine dispersal device[154] | 126 | [155]
Built under licence by Fuji. Being replaced by the Subaru-Bell UH-2. | ||
| Bell CH-146 Griffon / | Subaru-Bell UH-2 | Utility helicopter | — | 10 | 150 planned to be ordered in the programme.[156][157]
Confirmed purchases: | ||
| Training rotary-wing aircraft | |||||||
| Enstrom 480 | TH-480B | Trainer helicopter | — | 30 | [164]
In service since 2011. | ||
| VIP transport rotary-wing aircraft | |||||||
| Eurocopter EC 225 | EC 225LP | VIP Transport | — | 3 | [165] | ||
Unmanned aerial vehicles
| Image | Model | Japan designation | Origin | Type | Role | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing Insitu ScanEagle | — | Fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle | Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance | 1 | [169]
Procured with the third supplementary budget for fiscal year 2011. | ||
| — | JUXS-S1 | Tiltrotor unmanned aerial vehicle | Counter unmanned air system (Intercepting UAV penetrating restricted airspace) | — | [170] | ||
| Yamaha R-MAX Type IIG | — | Small helicopter unmanned aerial vehicle | Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance | 6 | [171]
Used during deployment to Iraq. | ||
| — | Fuji FFOS | Small helicopter unmanned aerial vehicle | Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance | 15 | [172][173][174] | ||
| — | Fuji FFRS | Small helicopter unmanned aerial vehicle | Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance | ||||
| Honeywell RQ-16 T-Hawk | — | Ducted fan mini unmanned aerial vehicle | Surveillance | 20 | [168] |