Type 61 | |
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![]() A Type 61 tank on display at the GSDF Camp Zentsuji. | |
Type | Main battle tank |
Place of origin | Japan |
Service history | |
In service | 1961–2000 |
Production history | |
Designer | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries |
Designed | 1955–1960 |
Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries |
Produced | 1961–1975 |
No. built | 560 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 35 tonnes |
Length | 8.19 / 6.03 m |
Width | 2.95 m |
Height | 2.49 m |
Crew | 4 |
Armor | 55 mm (hull) – 114 mm (turret) |
Main armament | 90 mm L/52 rifled cannon, Muzzle velocity: 910m/s (M318AP-T) |
Secondary armament | 7.62 mm Browning M1919A4 machine gun 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun |
Engine | Mitsubishi 12HM21WT 4 stroke V type 12 cylinder vertical air cooled diesel 570 hp (430 kW) / 2100 rpm, 29600 cc |
Power/weight | 17.14 hp/tonne (12.28 kW/tonne) |
Suspension | torsion bar |
Operational range | 200 km |
Maximum speed | 45 km/h (paved roads) |
The Type 61 tank (61式戦車, Roku-ichi Shiki sensha) is a main battle tank developed and used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Development started in 1955 and the vehicle was first deployed in April 1961. The type number follows the year of deployment. A total of 560 Type 61s were manufactured between 1961 and 1975, when production ceased. It was succeeded by the Type 74.[1][2][3]