The Mitsubishi Type 89 IFV (三菱89式装甲戦闘車)(89 FV ) is a Japanese infantry fighting vehicle that entered service with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in 1989. There were 58 vehicles in service as of 1999 and a total of 120 produced by 2014 with 300 planned. The main armament of the vehicle is an Oerlikon Contraves 35 millimeter KDE cannon.
Development
Development of the Type 89 began in 1980, with four prototypes being produced in 1984. These prototypes were tested until 1986. It was accepted into service and type classified in 1989. When the vehicle entered production, the initial requirement was for around 300 vehicles. The primary contractor for the project was Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with the main subcontractor being Komatsu Limited.
Description
The vehicle is of relatively conventional layout with a welded steel hull. The 600 horsepower Mitsubishi 6SY31WA water-cooled diesel engine located in the front left of the hull drives an automatic transmission which in turn drives the track via drive sprockets at the front of the hull. On each side of the hull are six road wheels with an idler at the rear, and three track return rollers. The suspension is a torsion bar system.
The driver sits to the right of the engine, with a single-piece hatch above them that opens to the right. The driver is provided with three fixed vision periscopes, and a single traversable periscope in the hatch.