The Japanese Ministry of Defense (BÅei-shÅ) will procure seven more Type-19 155 mm/52 calibre wheeled self-propelled howitzers (SPHs), as part on ongoing efforts to enhance the capabilities of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). The Ministry of Defense said it has secured JPY4.5 billion (USD42.3 million) to acquire seven Type-19s after procuring an equal number of the systems in FY 2019 for JPY5.1 billion. Seven wheeled howitzers were procured for training purpose in the FY 2019 defense budget for a total of 5.1 billion yen.
The Type 19 155 mm Wheeled Self-Propelled Howitzer (Hitokyuu-shiki-sourin-jisou-155mm-ryuudan-hou) is Japanese wheeled self-propelled gun. The vehicle is designed to replace JGSDF’s inventory of ageing fleet of FH-70 towed artillery systems. The artillery was officially unveiled in the 2019 East Fuji Maneuver Area. The move comes after the MoD’s Acquisition, Technology, & Logistics Agency (ATLA) had taken delivery of five Type-19 prototypes from local manufacturer Japan Steel Works by late May 2018.
The Type-19 features an L52 155 mm gun mounted on the back of an 8×8 truck chassis. Compared to the towed FH70, the wheeled howitzer is designed to be mobile (performing shoot-and-scoot tactics ) and networked to a Firing Command and Control System, which receives targeting information from artillery observers. According to the FY 2013 defense budget request, the wheeled howitzer features the barrel part used on the Type 99 155 mm self-propelled howitzer and body of a heavy wheeled recovery vehicle to reduce development cost. The truck chassis is a RMMV HX 8×8 military truck.
