JGSDF Type 61 MBT

The Type 61 was developed by the JGSDF (Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force) and built by Mitsubishi Industries. Development started in 1955 and the Type 61 entered service in April 1961 with 560 vehicles manufactured until 1975 when production ceased. The Type 61 was developed to replace obsolete M4 and M24 tanks supplied by the USA. It was armed with a 90mm rifled cannon which was not stabilised and with secondary armaments of a 7.62mm Browning MG and a 12.7mm Browning M2 machine gun.

Close