Type 96 120 mm self-propelled mortar

The Type 96 120 mm self-propelled mortar (96式自走120mm迫撃砲, kyuu-roku-shiki-jisou-120mm-hakugeki-hou) is a tracked armored mortar carrier that has been in service with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) since 1996. The official abbreviation for the vehicle is 120MSP and the common name is Jisou RT or Jisou 120 mota in JGSDF. It is nicknamed God Hammer.

Type 96 120 mm self-propelled mortar
Type 96 120 mm self-propelled mortar
Type	Mortar carrier
Place of origin	Japan
Service history
In service	1996 – present
Used by	Japan
Production history
Designer	Hitachi
Designed	1993
Manufacturer	Hitachi/Howa
Produced	1996
No. built	24
Specifications
Mass	23.5 tonnes (25.9 short tons)
Length	6.7 metres (22 ft)
Width	2.99 metres (9.8 ft)
Height	2.95 metres (9.7 ft)
Crew	5
Caliber	120 millimetres (4.7 in)
Elevation	left: 45° right:45°
Armor	rolled homogeneous armour
Main armament	1x MO-120-RT 120 mm mortar, made under license by Howa
Secondary armament	1x M2HB 12.7 mm machine gun
Engine	Mitsubishi 4ZF air-cooled V-type 4-cylinder diesel 300 horsepower 300 horsepower (300 PS)
Suspension	torsion bar
Operational range	300 kilometres (190 mi)
Maximum speed	50 kilometres per hour (31 mph)

Its chassis is based on the Type 73 armored personnel carrier and fields a licensed domestically produced version of the Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1.

See also

• Type 60 81 mm self-propelled mortar
• Type 60 107 mm self-propelled mortar

Further reading

• 自衛隊装備年鑑 2006-2007 (in Japanese). Asagumo News. 15 July 2006. p. 57. ISBN 4-7509-1027-9.