Type 10 The is a 4th - generation main battle tank that the Japan Ground Self Defense Force has been equipped with , and boasts significant enhancements in its capability to respond to anti - tank warfare , mobile strikes , special operations force attacks , and other contingencies . Overview . The TK - X ( MBT - X ) project aims to produce the new Type 10 main battle tank , to replace or complement the existing Type 74 and Type 90 main battle tanks that are currently in service with the Japan Ground Self Defense Force . Development began in the 1990s , and production is expected to start in 2010 – 2011 . A prototype was revealed on February 13 , 2008 at the Technology Research and Development Institute ( TRDI ) in Sagamihara . Heavy emphasis was placed on C4I capabilities as well as on performance , firepower , protection and mobility . The use of modular components significantly improves the side armor compared to the Type 90 . The Commander ' s Panoramic Sight has been moved to the right and is located at a higher position than the Type 90 , giving the commander a wide range of view . According to a GlobalSecurity report , the vehicle is expected to be armed with a new 120 mm smoothbore gun developed by Japan Steel Works , who also license - produce the Rheinmetall L44 120mm gun for the Type 90 MBT . There is an option for longer barrels of 50 and 55 calibers ( L50 , L55 ) . The gun will fire newly developed armor - piercing ammunition , but is also compatible with all standard 120 mm NATO ammunition . The vehicle ' s armor consists of modular sections , providing the ability to mount varying degrees of protection depending on the mission profile as well as weight requirements . Vehicle weight is about 40 tonnes with the base configuration , and 48 tonnes when fully equipped . The prototype featured in 2008 at TRDI weighed 44 tonnes . The development costs as of 2008 are approximately JPY ¥48 , 400M ( approximately US $ $ 447M ) . Each unit is expected to cost approximately ¥700M ( $ 6 . 5M ) . The Japanese Ministry of Defense formally acknowledged the Type 10 in December 2009 . In 2010 , the Japanese Ministry of Defense placed a ¥12 , 400M order for thirteen Type 10 tanks ( Unit cost : ¥954M ) . These Type 10 tanks entered JGSDF service in January , 2012 . Other features are as follows ; The most remarkable characteristic of the Type 10 tank lies in its C4I function ( command , control , communications , computers , and intelligence ) . This can be incorporated into the JGSDF network to enable sharing of information among tanks , as well as connected to the infantry ’ s outdoor computer network “ Regiment Command Control System ” ( ReCS ) to facilitate integrated military operations with the infantry troops . On 4 January 2014 , sources revealed that Turkey was interested in signing a joint development deal of tank engines based on the Type 10 ' s engine . The technology of the Type 10 ' s engine allows it to move backwards at a speed of . The engine was to power the Turkish Altay indigenous tank . However , negotiations broke down and the deal was " off the agenda " by March 2014 . Reasons included Japan ' s stringent arms export ban laws , the intention of Turkey to attempt to export the Altay , and Japan ’ s reluctance to license the joint engine .