Type 19 155mm
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 2023-02-22

The field howitzer has evolved considerably since the days of World War II (1939-1945) and, in its current forms, is fielded on both tracked and wheeled chassis to improve mobility. In the latter, the 8x8 heavy truck component has proven an increasingly popular approach to the solution of shooting a large, potent, and utterly lethal projectile round and quickly relocating the entire platform to repeat the function once more - therefore frustrating warplanners and ground commanders on the receiving end.

Against this backdrop, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has followed the lead of other global powers like the French and Swedes who have elected to focus such efforts on wheeled Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) forms.

The "Type 19" 155mm represents the product of work begun in 2011 with at least seven prototypes having been completed to date (2022) by Japan Steel Works. The design combines the versatility of a modular, highly-functional 8x8 RMMV (from German-based Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles) HX tactical truck chassis with cab-over arrangement with the hard-hitting firepower of a 155mm field howitzer (the same as used in the Type 99 155mm SPH detailed elsewhere on the Military Factory). Coupled to this is a fully-networked onboard system for seamless integration into the modern battlefield, reciprocating target data and firing results to allied forces in real-time. The result is an inherently mobile, indirect-fire solution intended to replace the current stock of FH70 towed guns in same battlefield role (detailed elsewhere on MilitaryFactory.com). The complete system was showcased at the East Fuji Maneuver Area training grounds 2019 for the first time.

As completed, the vehicle component of the Type 19 stands at a height of 3.4 meters and has a running length of 11.4 meters with a beam measuring 2.5 meters. The system is completely crewed by five personnel. The armament component is the proven, long-ranged 155mm/52-caliber field howitzer firing one of the most common large-class battlefield projectile today. Warheads are variable (from conventional to nuclear and biological) and range can be enhanced by Rocket-Assisted Projectiles (RAPs) as needed.

Once available in quantitative service, the Type 19 system is sure to enhance JGSDF ranged capabilities against potential regional threats (mainly China and North Korea) and add a fully-modern, quick-hitting, and digitally-centric solution to inventory that has been more or less lacking in the service for some decades.