Type 61 (tank)

Type 61
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]