Type 90 MBT

The Type 90 (90式戦車) is a third-generation MBT developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the JGSDF. Introduced in 1990 to replace the ageing Type 61 Medium and Type 74 MBT, it was designed to counter modern Soviet tanks like the T-72 and compete with Western MBTs such as the M1 Abrams and Leopard 2. Armed with a 120 mm L/44 smoothbore gun, it reflects the standard firepower of Gen 3 MBTs. Though still in service, the Type 90 is being supplemented & gradually phased out in favour of the lighter yet more advanced Type 10, shifting as the Japanese Gen 3.5 MBT.