Trumpeter 00325 JGSDF Type 89 IFV

The Type 89 is a modern Japanese infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) manufactured by Komatsu Limited and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The first prototypes of the vehicle were built in 1984, and serial production started in the period 1989-2004 and resulted in the creation of only 68 vehicles of this type. The Type 89 is powered by an engine Mitsubishi 6SY31WA with a power of 600 hp. The vehicle is armed with a single 35mm Oerlikon KDE autocannon, 1 7.62mm Type 74 machine gun and two Type 79 anti-tank guided missile launchers.

The Type 89 IFV was created in response to the demand of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces for a new vehicle for mechanized infantry units in the early 1980s. Initially, it was planned to procure around 300 vehicles, but when the Type 89 entered series production, the order was reduced to around 70 vehicles. The reduction was closely related to the end of the Cold War and the expected relaxation in Japan's relations with Russia. The Type 89 has a classic design (it can take up to 7 troops), but it is distinguished by good composite armor and relatively strong armament for the class of military vehicles it belongs to. The Type 89 was not and - at the moment - not exported.