The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) is getting ready to introduce into service its newest SPH, a truck-mounted system that carries the nomenclature of Type 19.
The military showcased a prototype version to the public at its annual Fuji Firepower event on 22-25 August. A total of five prototypes have been produced and tested.
The wheeled Type 19 employs a 155mm L/52 howitzer installed on an 8x8 truck chassis from MAN. Although Mitsubishi makes a heavy 8x8 truck chassis that is already utilised by the JGSDF (the Type 12 anti-ship missile system, for example), the slightly smaller MAN chassis was considered