Cold War: Approximately 1947 (due to U.S. President Harry Truman’s Truman Doctrine) to 1991 (Operation Desert Storm, collapse of Soviet Union). “Near Pear Threats”, a recent U.S. Army code phrase for the expected Third World War.
Type 74 during a yearly base security exercise, on MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.
Japan’s Type-74 battle tank was designed in the 1960s and produced in the 1970s and ’80s (during the Cold War). It was originally scheduled to be retired in the 1990s, but for financial reasons remained active with the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) until March 2024, when it was finally, officially, retired.
U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Type 74s demonstrate their ‘lowrider’ collapsible suspension.
The Type 74 was originally designed to use a main-gun with an auto-loader, but it had so many problems it was decided to go with a manually loaded gun that was compatible with NATO ammunition.
The Type 74 uses a NATO standard 105mm main gun, with a redesigned breech & recoil system to get it to fit inside the turret.
Here is a boring USMC video (by Sergeant Cristian Bestul) of a Type 74, and its crew, posing for the camera, on MCAS Iwakuni, 17OCT2019:
Circa 1992.
10th Tank Battalion Type 74, circa 1991.
One of the first Type 74s, of First Tank Group, circa 1985.
Type 87 SPAAG, based on the Type 74 chassis, circa 1999.
In 1987, Mitsubishi modified the Type 74 chassis to create the Type 87 SPAAG (Self Propelled Anti Aircraft Gun). Japan also has a Type 87 Recon Combat Vehicle (RCV), but it is a wheeled armored car not related to the Type 87 tracked vehicle.
Lowered Type 87 SPAAG, circa 1992.
The Type 87 SPAAG was officially unveiled to the taxpayers in 1990.
In 1980, most Japanese tank units were using the Type 61, and even the older U.S. made M41 Walker Bulldog.
Type 61 during Exercise Orient Shield, November 1985, U.S. Department of Defense photo by Al Chang.
Japanese M41 Walker Bulldogs, circa 1980.
In 1978, Mitsubishi modified the Type 74 chassis to create the Type 78 ARV (Armored Recovery Vehicle).
Type 78 ARV, circa 1997.
Vehicle I-D:
More of Type 74
Type 74 invades Evergreen State! Preps for war with China?