Report: Japan Converts Type 89 IFV into Unmanned Precision Strike Vehicle with Loitering Munitions.

As reported by Junsupreme on May 21, 2025, during DSEI Japan 2025, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries presented a concept for the unmanned modernization of the Type 89 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). The proposal includes converting the vehicle into an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) by replacing its troop compartment with eight launch tubes for Switchblade 600 loitering munitions and integrating a 30mm automatic cannon turret. This configuration eliminates the vehicle’s personnel transport function and repurposes it for long-range precision strike. The initiative suggests that the platform would be operated remotely, but this concept remains in the early conceptual phase.
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The proposal includes converting the vehicle into an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) by replacing its troop compartment with eight launch tubes for Switchblade 600 loitering munitions and integrating a 30mm automatic cannon turret. (Picture source: X account @Rikuno_Yuuno)

The Type 89 IFV, officially referred to as 89FV in the Japanese Ministry of Defense’s documentation, entered service with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) in 1989. Designed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries with production assistance from Komatsu Limited, it was Japan's first tracked vehicle designed specifically for mechanized infantry operations, developed to complement the Type 90 main battle tank. The development process began in 1980, with four prototypes completed in 1984 and tested until 1986. The initial requirement was for 300 vehicles, but only 120 were produced between 1989 and 2004. Its unit cost was approximately $3.5 million. As of 1999, 58 units were in service. The vehicle was deployed in limited numbers to JGSDF formations, including the 11th Infantry Regiment of the 7th Division and several training and support units.

The Type 89 has a combat weight of 26.5 tonnes, a length of 6.8 meters, a width of 3.2 meters, and a height of 2.5 meters (2.75 meters overall). It is powered by a Mitsubishi 6SY31WA water-cooled, six-cylinder diesel engine generating 600 horsepower at 2,000 rpm, coupled to an automatic transmission with four forward and two reverse gears. The torsion bar suspension includes shock absorbers on wheels 1, 2, 5, and 6 on each side. The vehicle reaches a maximum speed of 70 km/h and has an operational range of 400 km. It features a welded steel hull with steel and ceramic composite armor and no amphibious capability. The crew consists of a driver, commander, and gunner, with seating for seven infantrymen in the rear compartment. Troops enter and exit via two large doors at the rear, and the internal layout includes back-to-back seating and integrated ammunition storage.

The main armament is a KDE 35mm cannon based on the Oerlikon KDA, license-produced by Japan Steel Works. This weapon has a firing rate of 200 rounds per minute and is dual-fed from left and right 17-round magazines for HEI and APDS rounds. APDS rounds are capable of penetrating 80–90 mm of armor at 1,000 meters at 90-degree impact angles. For secondary armament, the turret is equipped with a Type 74 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and two Type 79 Jyu-MAT anti-tank guided missile launchers mounted on the turret sides. These missiles can be used against both armored vehicles and amphibious assault craft. Four smoke grenade launchers are mounted below each missile rail. The commander and gunner are both provided with optical sights and periscopes; the turret includes a laser warning system. Seven gun ports are installed for mounted infantry, along with vision periscopes; these ports can be closed when not in use to maintain armor integrity.

Designed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries with production assistance from Komatsu Limited, the Type 89 IFV was Japan's first tracked vehicle designed specifically for mechanized infantry operations, developed to complement the Type 90 main battle tank. (Picture source: Twitter/@katori93cp)

Internally, the vehicle’s troop compartment is equipped with vision blocks and gun ports on both sides and one on the right-side rear door. The driver is located front-right and has three periscopes; a passive night vision device can be substituted for one of them. A single infantryman sits behind the driver. The gunner is on the left side of the turret and the commander on the right. Both have rear-opening hatches and dedicated optics. The vehicle was designed without a requirement for swimming or deep fording, in contrast to the Type 90 tank, and this was justified by the availability of bridges across Japan’s river network and the logistical support of engineering units during combined operations.

The Type 89 chassis was also adapted into the Type 99 155mm self-propelled howitzer, which retained the powertrain but added an extra road wheel to accommodate greater weight. Though the Type 89 featured superior mobility compared to earlier vehicles like the Type 60 and Type 73 APCs, its high cost limited its procurement. Between fiscal year 1989 and 2004, the Ministry of Defense acquired 68 vehicles, with annual purchases ranging from 1 to 9 units. Most Type 89 vehicles were deployed within the 11th Infantry Regiment’s 1st, 3rd, and 5th companies. Other allocations included the Fuji School, Ordnance School, and the 1st NCO Training Unit.

In field use, the Type 89’s Oerlikon KDE 35mm cannon is primarily fired in short bursts for accuracy, usually in three- or six-round sequences. Its ammunition includes high-explosive incendiary (HEI) and armor-piercing discarding sabot (APDS) rounds, with a demonstrated ability to engage both ground and low-flying air targets. The fire control system allows manual adjustment of detonation height for airburst effects. The Type 79 Jyu-MAT has a sighting and guidance unit mounted to the right of the main cannon; its launcher is reloaded manually from outside the vehicle, and two spare missiles are stored inside. Gun ports in the troop compartment allow dismounted troops to fire from within, using dedicated apertures covered with protective domes when not in use. The vehicle has also been used in civilian disaster relief operations, including during the 2014 eruption of Mount Ontake, due to its protection against falling debris.

The Switchblade 600 has an operational range of 60 kilometers, extendable to over 90 kilometers with digital handoff, and a loiter time of over 40 minutes. (Picture source: AeroVironment)

The Switchblade 600, proposed as the loitering munition component in the modernization concept, is produced by AeroVironment and is designed for precision strikes against armored targets at extended distances. It has an operational range of 60 kilometers, extendable to over 90 kilometers with digital handoff, and a loiter time of over 40 minutes. The munition weighs 15 kg (33 lb) and is launched from a self-contained tube. Its speed ranges from 113 km/h in loiter mode to 185 km/h in attack mode. The system includes a tablet-based fire control unit (FCU) with tap-to-target guidance and a 2-axis EO/IR sensor suite for targeting. Its warhead is designed for anti-armor applications and is based on technologies used in the Javelin missile. Setup time is under ten minutes. A patented wave-off and recommit function allows operators to abort or redirect the munition after launch.

The Switchblade 600 is categorized as a loitering munition rather than a drone or missile due to its operator-in-the-loop engagement profile. It has been used operationally by U.S. forces and by Ukraine since 2022, including in engagements with Russian armored systems. The system allows standoff targeting of non-line-of-sight threats without dependence on external surveillance platforms. The FCU also includes an integrated mission planning interface and training simulator, and is compatible with the FCU used by the Switchblade 300. AeroVironment has received contracts from the U.S. Army and Special Operations Command and was awarded a production agreement for both the 300 and 600 variants in 2024 valued at nearly $1 billion.