Type 96 Armored personnel carrier (Japan)
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 2023-01-25

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 The Type 96 wheeled armored personnel carrier is the latest armored vehicle produced in Japan. Its production began in 1995. Japan ordered 500 of these APCs and is the only operator of the Type 96. It is not being offered for export due to Japan's laws. As of 2012 Japan operated over 340 of these armored vehicles.

   Vehicle has a low profile and medium armor for its class. This APC has a crew of two and can carry eight fully equipped troops. The Type 96 is primarily used by infantry units.

   This armored personnel carrier is fitted with E-NBC (enhanced nuclear, biological and chemical) protection system. Vehicle is also fitted with a laser warning device.

   The Type 96 is armed with a roof-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. Weapons can be fired from within the cupola.

   Troops enter and leave the vehicle through the rear door-ramp or roof hatches. There are two firing ports on each side of the troop compartment. Two more ports are located in the rear of the hull.

   The Type 96 APC is powered by Komatsu diesel engine, developing 360 horsepower. Engine is located at the front of the hull on the left side of the vehicle. Vehicle is fitted with a central tyre pressure system. Vehicle with not loose mobility when any one of the wheels is damaged or completely destroyed. In some cases it can even keep on moving with two wheels missing. This armored personnel carrier is not amphibious.

   The Type 96 chassis was used to develop a whole host of variants, including command post vehicle, reconnaissance vehicle, 105 mm fire support vehicle, 120 mm mortar carrier, short-range air defense missile system and some other vehicle. However these vehicles never reached production. Only an NBC reconnaissance variant of the Type 96 is in service with the JGSDF.

   In 2017 a prototype of new Japanese 8x8 armored personnel carrier was revealed. It was developed as a successor to the Type 96. Overall the new vehicle is longer, taller, much heavier, better protected and faster. It has more internal volume and higher payload capacity.