View source for Type 74 tank

{{refimprove|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Type 74
| image = File:Tank type74 ja02.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = Type 74 on the open day of a JGSDF base in Itami City, October 2005
| type = [[Main battle tank]]
| origin = [[Japan]]
| number = 873
| service = 1975–2024
| design_date = 1962
| production_date = 1975–1988
| unit_cost = 350-400 Million Yen (~3.2 - 3.6 Million USD)
| designer = [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]]
| manufacturer = [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]]
| is_vehicle = yes
| length = {{convert|9.41|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|3.18|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|2.25|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|38|t|ST LT|lk=out}}
| suspension = hydropneumatic
| speed = {{convert|53|km/h|abbr=on}}
| vehicle_range = {{convert|300|km|abbr=on}}
| primary_armament = JSW [[Royal Ordnance L7]]A1[https://weaponsystems.net/system/815-Type%2074] 105mm L/51 rifled gun <br> 55 rounds
| secondary_armament = [[M2 Browning machine gun|M2HB]] 12.7 mm machine gun <br> 660 rounds <br> Type 74 7.62 mm machine gun <br> 4,500 rounds
| armour = {{convert|189|-|195|mm|abbr=on}}{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}
| engine = Mitsubishi 10ZF Model 21, 10 cylinders diesel, 21.5 L
| engine_power = 750 hp (560 kW)
| pw_ratio = 19 hp/tonne
| crew = 4
}}

The {{nihongo|'''Type 74'''|74式戦車|nana-yon-shiki-sensha}} was a [[main battle tank]] (MBT) of the [[Japan Ground Self-Defense Force]] (JGSDF). It was built by [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]] as a supplement to the earlier [[Type 61 (tank)|Type 61]]. It was based on the best features of a number of contemporary designs, placing it in the same class as the US [[M60 Patton|M60]] Patton or German [[Leopard 1]]. Like these designs, it mounted the [[Royal Ordnance L7|L7]] rifled 105&nbsp;mm gun. The design did not enter widespread use until 1980, by which point other Western forces had introduced more capable designs.

It was followed by the heavier [[Type 90 Kyū-maru|Type 90]], and the Type 74 was withdrawn from service in 2024.

==History==
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2025}}
[[Image:STB-1_STB-2.jpg|thumb|right|STB-2 tank]]
The JGSDF began studies on new tank designs with Mitsubishi in 1962, after the [[Type 61 (tank)|Type 61]] had been shown to be outmatched by new Soviet tanks such as the [[T-62]]. Features from several designs were incorporated, including the controllable suspension of the US-German [[MBT-70]] project, the hull of the Leopard 1, and a similar 105mm gun. The design included a rotating cupola for the commander, and a new [[autoloader]] for the main gun. Prior to the 1965 decision to design an entirely new tank, some technologies which would later be used in the STB-1 (first prototype) were already in development independently in Japan. The design was finalized in 1964 and various test rigs were built between 1964 and 1967.

==Design==
{{more cn section|date=June 2025}}
===Armament===
The first vessels had been designed to bear the 90mm M3 cannon, present in the Type 61, and STA-1, revealing itself underpowered. Later in the development stage engineers opted to license the NATO standard [[L7 (tank gun)|L7]] 105mm cannon. Japan only produced the barrel under license, developing an indigenous [[gun mantlet]], breech and recoil system. The full length of the cannon was {{convert|5.89| m|ftin|abbr=on}}, for a total weight of 1,282&nbsp;kg (2,862 lb) [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Ordnance_L7]. Initially, the main gun only used APDS ([[Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot]]) and HEP ([[High Explosive Plastic]]) as its primary ammunition. Later it was modified to fire APFSDS ([[Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot]]) and HEAT-MP ([[High-explosive anti-tank warhead|High-Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose]]) shells as well.

The secondary armament consisted of a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun (with 660 rounds) and a 7.62 coaxial machine gun (4500 rounds).

===Mobility===
The Type 74 tank is powered by the Mitsubishi 10ZF Model 21 10-cylinder two-stroke cycle diesel engine providing 750&nbsp;hp (560&nbsp;kW). At 19&nbsp;hp/tonne, its [[power-to-weight ratio]] is similar to the French [[AMX-30]]. The maximum quoted road speed of the Type 74 is 53&nbsp;km/h; however, speeds of at least 60&nbsp;km/h have been achieved.<ref>{{citation |publisher=Army Guide |title=Type 74, Main battle tank }}</ref>

===Armor===
Instead of composite armour (as used on the later Type 90 main battle tank), the Type 74 adopted welded steel plates for hull construction, with sloped armour extensively used to defeat armour-piercing shells and other kinetic energy penetrators. It has frontal hull armor of 80&nbsp;mm with an effective armor thickness of up to 189&nbsp;mm for the upper glacis and 139&nbsp;mm for lower glacis. Side armor is 35&nbsp;mm, while rear armor is 25&nbsp;mm thick.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} The cast steel turret has an estimated{{clarify|date=July 2019}} 195&nbsp;mm of armor. When compared to other second-generation MBTs, the Type 74 has more armour than a Leopard 1 (122mm and 140mm), but less than comparable Soviet vehicles such as the T-62 (174mm and 204mm).

==Service==
The first prototype, designated STB-1, was delivered in late 1968 and underwent a number of modifications until 1969. The autoloader proved too complex and expensive, and was removed, as was the remote-controlled anti-aircraft machine gun. The overall design of the turret was also changed, becoming longer. These changes resulted in the STB-3, which was delivered in 1971. The final prototype, designated STB-6, was delivered in 1973. Production finally started as the Type 74 in September 1975, with 225 being delivered by January 1980. Production ended in 1989, with total production running to 893 examples.

In service, the tanks were updated with the addition of [[infra-red]] imagers rather than [[image intensifier]]s for the commander and gunner, and a [[laser rangefinder]] in the commander's cupola. The gunner's position included a digital fire control computer, fed range data from the commander's range finder. Rounds for the main gun were upgraded from [[high explosive squash head|HEP]] to [[Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot|APFSDS]] and [[HEAT|HEAT-MP]].

The Type 74 was considered outdated even before it entered service. The [[Type 90 Kyū-maru|Type 90]] was to have replaced it outright, but with the end of the [[Cold War]], these plans were scaled back. In 1993 four Type 74s were improved to the new '''Type 74 Kai (改) [Type 74 mod G (G型)]''' standard, adding a passive infrared camera and side skirts. The upgrade proved to be extremely expensive, and the program was abandoned.

Starting in April 2019, the [[Ministry of Defense (Japan)|Ministry of Defense]] enacted the Medium-Term Development Defense Plan (31中期防), which involved the retirement of Type 74 main battle tanks in service, to be replaced by the newer [[Type 16 maneuver combat vehicle|Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicle]].

At the same time, official tank units based on the main land of [[Honshu]], [[Kyushu]], and [[Shikoku]] would be disbanded and replaced by new mobility-based combat units, in the form of a Rapid Deployment Regiment or Reconnaissance Combat Battalion, with the Infantry-based Divisions and Brigades to feature one of either. For each of the new units, they are to be equipped with a unit of Type 16 MCVs (1-2 Companies). 

Despite the plan being official as of 2019, the first tank units were disbanded throughout 2018, including the 4th Tank Battalion ([[4th Division (Japan)|4th Division]]), 8th Tank Battalion ([[8th Division (Japan)|8th Division]]), and 14th Tank Troop ([[14th Brigade (Japan)|14th Brigade]]). After the plan's enactment, 6th Tank Battalion of the [[6th Division (Japan)|6th Division]] [[North Eastern Army (Japan)|North Eastern Army]] was disbanded, and changes were made to existing tank formations, including at [[JGSDF Camp Takigahara|JGSDF Fuji School]], to phase out numbers of Type 74 tanks in service. As of March 17, 2022, the disbandment of the [[1st Division (Japan)|1st Division]]'s 1st Tank Battalion of the [[Eastern Army (Japan)|Eastern Army]] has been the most recent change to the armored formation of the JGSDF.

Type 74 was scheduled to be retired by March 2024.<ref>{{cite web | work= Vehicle news |url= https://trafficnews.jp/post/125248/2 |title= 「74式戦車」もうすぐ退役 丸っこい戦車はもう出ないのか？ カクカクへ変わった合理的な理由 |date= 10 April 2023 | access-date= 17 January 2024}}</ref> As all remaining Type 74 units (9th Tank Battalion, 10th Tank Battalion and 13th Tank Troop) were disbanded in March 2024, all Type 74s were retired from JGSDF.<ref>{{cite web | work= Motor-Fan CAR |url= https://motor-fan.jp/mf/article/214490/ |title= 昭和の名戦車「74式戦車」ついに完全引退！ 2024年3月をもって本州から戦車部隊が消滅【自衛隊新戦力図鑑】 |date= 31 March 2024 | access-date= 17 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=27 May 2024|title=Japan decommissions Type 74 tanks|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/japan-decommissions-type-74-tanks|access-date=|website=[[Janes Information Services]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527192040/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/japan-decommissions-type-74-tanks|archive-date=27 May 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Ministry of Defense (Japan)|Ministry of Defense]] plans to store about 30 Type 74s in mothballing.<ref>{{cite web | work= [[Mainichi Shimbun]] |url= https://mainichi.jp/articles/20240830/k00/00m/040/179000c |title= 防衛省が「74式戦車」保管へ　必要に応じ再利用　概算要求に7億円 |date= 30 August 2024 | access-date= 31 August 2024 }}</ref>

==Variants==
[[Image:Type 74 Tank rear.JPEG|thumb|Rear view.]]
[[Image:Japanese - Type 74 tank - 2.jpg|thumb|Front view.]]
[[Image:Type 74 Tank JGSDF 2017.jpg|thumb|Type 74 tank in Yokosuka 2017]]
[[Image:Type 74 tank (JGSDF Public Information Center).jpg|thumb|JGSDF Public Information Center 2022]]

*Type 74 first mod (74式戦車 初期生産型)
*Type 74 mod B (74式戦車 B型)
*Type 74 mod C (74式戦車 C型)
*Type 74 mod D (74式戦車 D型)
*Type 74 mod E (74式戦車 E型)
*Type 74 mod F (74式戦車 F型)
*Type 74 mod G/Kai (74式戦車 G型/改)
*[[Type 87 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun ]] (87式自走高射機関砲)
*Type 78 armoured recovery vehicle (78式戦車回収車)
*Type 91 armoured vehicle-launched bridge (91式戦車橋)

==Operators==
{{Unreferenced section|data=June 2025|date=June 2025}}
*{{JPN}} – 893 produced between September 1975 and 1989, with 225 delivered by January 1980. 822 in service in 1990, 870 in service in 1995 and 2000, 700 in service in 2006. As of March 17, 2022, from the disbandment of the [[1st Division (Japan)|1st Division]]'s 1st Tank Battalion of the [[Eastern Army (Japan)|Eastern Army]], approximately 130 Type 74 tanks remained in service.{{ citation needed|date=August 2023}} All Type 74 tanks were retired in March 2024.

**[[Japan Ground Self-Defense Force]]
*** [[File:陸上自衛隊_東北方面隊_部隊章.png|27x27px]] [[North Eastern Army (Japan)|North Eastern Army]]
**** [[File:JGSDF_9th_Division.svg|27x27px]] [[9th Division (Japan)|9th Division]]
***** 9th Tank Battalion (1st and 2nd Tank Company)
*** [[File:JGSDF_Middle_Army.svg|27x27px]] [[Central Army (Japan)|Central Army]]
**** [[File:JGSDF_10th_Division.svg|27x27px]] [[10th Division (Japan)|10th Division]]
***** 10th Tank Battalion (1st and 2nd Tank Company)
**** [[File:JGSDF 13th Brigade.svg|27x27px]] [[13th Brigade (Japan)|13th Brigade]]
***** 13th Tank Troop
*** [[File:JGSDF_Director_Directly_Controled_Unit.svg|27x27px]] [[JGSDF Camp Takigahara|JGSDF Fuji School]]
**** JGSDF Fuji School (Combined Training) Brigade
***** Armored Guidance Corps (4th Company)

==See also==
*[[Type 61 (tank)|Type 61]]
*[[Type 90 Kyū-maru|Type 90]]
*[[Type 10]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist-lr|30em}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
* {{cite book|title=Jane's Armour and Artillery 2005-2006}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/html/soubi/bottom/syaryou/kaisetu/a.html|title=74式戦車|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019025505/http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/html/soubi/bottom/syaryou/kaisetu/a.html|archive-date=2007-10-19}}
* {{cite web|url=http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/armor/type74tk/type74tank.html|title=74式戦車|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201195413/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/armor/type74tk/type74tank.html|archive-date=2008-02-01}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www15.tok2.com/home/lttom/military-powers_jgsdf/74/74tankframe.html|title=74式戦車|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215031440/http://www15.tok2.com/home/lttom/military-powers_jgsdf/74/74tankframe.html|archive-date=2007-12-15}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
*[https://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/equipment/index.html#/detail/1/1_25/ Official JGSDF Page.]
*[http://www.onwar.com/weapons/afv/data/japmbtt74.htm onwar.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107072311/http://www.onwar.com/weapons/afv/data/japmbtt74.htm |date=2013-11-07 }}
*[http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/type-74.htm FAS]
*[http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_type74japan.html historyofwar.org]

{{Mitsubishi Heavy Industries}}
{{ModernJapaneseAFVs}}
{{Cold War tanks|style=wide}}

[[Category:Main battle tanks of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Main battle tanks of Japan]]
[[Category:Cold War military equipment of Japan]]
[[Category:Japan Ground Self-Defense Force]]
[[Category:Mitsubishi Heavy Industries armored vehicles]]
[[Category:History of the tank]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1970s]]