Type 10 MBT.

Technical Data

• Armament

  The main armament of the Type 10 MBT consists of a 120mm L44 smooth-bore gun, which is licensed-built by Japan Steel Works. The 120mm smooth-bore gun is fitted with a thermal sleeve, fume extractor and a muzzle reference system. The 120mm gun is fed by an automatic load located in the turret bustle. It can shoot modern 120mm ammunition and also the new third-generation APFSDS-T (Armor Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot – Tracer) round. The secondary armament of the Type 10 MBT includes one coaxial Type 64 7.62mm machine gun located on the left side of the main armament and one 12.7 mm M2 HB machine gun mounted on the roof which can be aimed and fired from inside the turret. On each side of the turret is fitted a bank of four electrically operated smoke grenade launchers that are coupled to the warning laser system.

• Design and protection

  The hull of the AMX-10P is made of all-welded aluminum armor with the driver's compartment at the front of the vehicle on the left, the engine compartment to the right and the troop compartment at the rear of the hull. The front of the vehicle is sloped to provide additional protection against incoming fire. The AMX-10P's armor provides protection against small arms fire and shell fragments, but it is not designed to withstand heavy armor-piercing rounds or other high-caliber weapons. The vehicle has a crew of three, including a driver, a gunner, and a commander, and can carry up to eight fully-equipped soldiers. The eight infantrymen are seated on individual bucket seats in the troop compartment at the rear. One man is seated forward and right of the turret facing the rear, one man to the right of the turret facing the turret, four men to the rear of the turret (two on each side facing outwards), and one man on each side at the rear facing inwards. They enter and leave by the large electrically operated ramp at the rear.

• Mobility

  The Type 10 MBT is powered by a water-cooled, four-stroke, eight-cylinder diesel engine producing 1200 hp at 2,300 rpm developed by Mitsubishi and coupled with an MT1200 continuously variable transmission (CVT) gearbox. The suspension consists on each side of five road wheels, a drive sprocket at the rear, and the idler at the front. As the Type 74 and Type 90 MBT, Type 10 is also fitted with a Hydropneumatic Active Suspension which allows the driver to lower and raised the overall height of the vehicle to suit the tactical situation. The suspension can be also adjusted on the left or right and front or rear. The Type 10 MBT can run at a maximum speed of 70 km/h and thanks to the CVT gearbox, it can run just as fast backward, as it does forwards, allowing rapid changes of positions. It has a maximum range of 500 km. The tank can climb up to 60% gradient, move on a 30% side slope, cross a trench of a maximum of 2,7m, and vertical obstacle of 1m. The Type 10 MBT can be deployed on the battlefield via train or truck.

• Combat Equipment

  Standard equipment of the Type 10 MBT includes automated fire suppression systems, NBC (Nuclear, Bacteriological and Chemical) protection, C4I (command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence) system, night-vision cameras and laser warning systems. The C4I system allows the tank to communicate and share information with other tanks in the GSDF network. The intelligence C4I system also enables the MBT to work together with the troops in the infantry's outdoor computer network, Regiment Command Control System (ReCS) during integrated combat operations. The Type 10 MBT is also fitted with a computerized fire-control system (FCS) that enables the vehicle to engage stationary and moving targets while the vehicle is stopped or moving. The tank commander has 360 degrees roof-mounted stabilized day/night panoramic sight to detect enemies in any weather condition. The Type 10 MBT is fitted with a digital battlefield management system (BMS) that provides increased situational awareness by displaying the required information. Videos cameras are mounted all around the vehicle to provide situational awareness through a full 360°. A dozer blade is mounted at the front of the hull which can be used for clearing obstacles and preparing fire positions.