Documents
Japan Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (JSW)
Type 99 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer
Tracked 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, with the hull built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the gun and turret produced by Japan Steel Works. It succeeded the Type 75 SPH with a longer-barrel gun, automated loading, and improved range.
In service since 1999 · 1 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
50
km/h
300
km range
155
mm gun
40,000
kg
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
National export licensing
Subject to Japan export-control approval; verify eligibility with the manufacturer.
Channel: Direct commercial / G2G
Fielded & proven
Limited · 1 operator
In service since 1999. Status: active · ~150 built.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance. | 50 km/h |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 300 km |
| Rate of fire Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability. | 6 rpm |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type. | 155 mm/52-caliber howitzer |
|---|---|
| Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better, ammunition commonality matters. | 155 mm |
| Max firing range Maximum range of the main gun or rocket artillery (with assisted/extended-range munitions where noted). Higher extends reach. | 30 km |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 40,000 kg |
|---|---|
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 4 |
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. | 150 |
|---|---|
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 1 |
Specifications compiled from public Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (JSW) and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
Compare with rivals
See how it stacks up
Lockheed Martin M270A2 MLRS 
Uralvagonzavod TOS-1A Solntsepyok 
MKE T-155 Fırtına Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of the Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (JSW) Type 99 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer? +
The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (JSW) Type 99 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer has a maximum speed of 50 km/h.
What is the range of the Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (JSW) Type 99 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer? +
The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (JSW) Type 99 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer has a maximum range of 300 km.
How much does the Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (JSW) Type 99 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer weigh? +
The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (JSW) Type 99 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer has a combat weight of 40,000 kg.
How many crew does the Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (JSW) Type 99 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer require? +
The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (JSW) Type 99 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer requires a crew of 4.
What is the main armament of the Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (JSW) Type 99 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer? +
The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (JSW) Type 99 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer's primary weapon is the 155 mm/52-caliber howitzer.
How many countries operate the Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (JSW) Type 99 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer? +
The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (JSW) Type 99 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer is operated by 1 countries.
Similar systems
Hanwha Aerospace
K9 Thunder
Defence Research and Development Organisation
Pinaka
KNDS
PzH 2000
Elbit Systems
ATMOS 2000
Related coverage
