Record Budget for Japanese Defense: Focus on JGSDF Armored Vehicle Acquisitions in 2025.

On August 30, 2024, the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) presented its largest budget request to date for Fiscal Year 2025, amounting to JPY 8.5389 trillion (€53.65 billion). This budget marks a significant increase in the modernization efforts of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), with a particular focus on a variety of armored vehicles.
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The Type 24 AWCV, measuring 8.1 meters long, 3.0 meters wide, and 2.9 meters high, is equipped with a remote-operated turret to reduce weight, featuring a Bushmaster Mk 44 30 mm cannon as its main weapon and a 7.62 mm Mk 52 coaxial chain gun (Picture source: JGSDF)

In this budget proposal, the JGSDF plans to acquire three types of Common Tactical Wheeled Vehicles (CTWV), developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and based on the Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicle. Among these, two variants of the Type 24 CTWV are particularly notable: 18 examples of the infantry Armored Wheeled Combat Vehicle (AWCV) version, costing JPY 21.8 billion, and eight units of the Mobile 120 mm Self-Propelled Mortar (MM) version, priced at JPY 8.3 billion. Both variants will begin to be introduced this year.

For the first time, six examples of the reconnaissance variant have also been requested this year, at a cost of JPY 9 billion. These vehicles will be deployed starting next year, though their official designation has not yet been confirmed. It is likely they will be named the Type 25 Reconnaissance and Combat vehicle.

The Type 24 AWCV, with a crew of three, can carry eight soldiers. This vehicle, measuring 8.1 meters long, 3.0 meters wide, and 2.9 meters high, is equipped with a remote-operated turret to reduce weight, featuring a Bushmaster Mk 44 30 mm cannon as its main weapon and a 7.62 mm Mk 52 coaxial chain gun. The Type 24 MM, with a crew of five, measures 8.1 meters in length, 3.0 meters in width, and 2.7 meters in height, and is armed with a Thales 2R2M 120 mm mortar system.

The reconnaissance variant, with a crew of five, is 8.7 meters long, 3.0 meters wide, and 2.9 meters high. It features a manned turret, similar to the one on the Type 24 AWCV, armed with the same Bushmaster Mk 44 30 mm cannon and a 7.62 mm Mk 52 coaxial chain gun. For surveillance, it uses a simplified version of Elbit’s Multi-Sensor Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (MRSS).

The Type 24 MM, with a crew of five, measures 8.1 meters in length, 3.0 meters in width, and 2.7 meters in height, and is armed with a Thales 2R2M 120 mm mortar system.(Picture source: JGSDF)

All three variants share a combat weight of around 26 tonnes and can reach a maximum speed of over 100 km/h. They will also utilize the 10TanK NetWork (10TKNW) system, employed by the Type 10 Main Battle Tanks and Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicles.

In total, it is expected that the JGSDF will acquire 150 Type 24 AWCVs, 100 Type 24 MMs, and 120 reconnaissance vehicles.

Additionally, the JGSDF has requested 28 Patria AMV XP 8×8 armored vehicles for JPY 22.5 billion, to replace the Type 96 8×8 armored personnel carriers. This acquisition, initiated in 2023, is planned to be conducted under license by Japan Steel Works. However, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has expressed concerns about the slow pace of production and the high costs associated with local manufacturing. As a result, the MoF has capped the initial production cost for FY24 at JPY 15.8 billion, permitting this sum only for direct import purchases. Despite ongoing negotiations between the MoD and the MoF, a MoD official has confirmed that all AMV XPs purchased under the upcoming budget will be imported.

The JGSDF also plans to acquire 15 Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicles for JPY 15.6 billion, 14 Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers for JPY 14 billion, and 12 Type 10 Main Battle Tanks for JPY 23.1 billion. Additionally, on June 28, 2024, the MoD’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) launched a request for information from companies regarding an upgrade program for the Type 10 Main Battle Tank.

Starting in 2025, the MoD will begin mothballing obsolete JGSDF equipment, such as older armored vehicles. A budget of JPY 700 million has been requested for the construction of storage facilities, and systems likely to be mothballed include the Type 74 and Type 90 Main Battle Tanks, as well as the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems.

Additionally, the JGSDF has requested 28 Patria AMV XP 8×8 armored vehicles for JPY 22.5 billion, to replace the Type 96 8×8 armored personnel carriers (Picture source: JGSDF)