While the JGSDF (Japanese
Ground Self Defence Force) may not be everyone's cup of tea, these forces are
made up of some very interesting and unique vehicles, many the equal of those
in the West.
The first 16 pages are in colour with the rest of the 160 pages in black and
white, all text as per all Ground Power publications are in Japanese.
All vehicles in current
service are featured in the photo coverage.
The Armoured Unit section include the newest Type 90 MBT, the Type 74 MBT and
the older Type 61 MBT which is still in service. Some nice shots of the Type
90 ARV and Type 78 ARV plus the Type 87 RCV.
The Field Artillery Unit section features the M110A2, the MLRS, the towed FH70, plus the locally produced Type 75 155mm SPH and Type 74 105mm SPH
The Air Defence Artillery sections has some nice shots of the Type 87 SP A/A Gun (the Japanese Gepard?) and the Type 81 Surface-to-air Missile (the Japanese Roland?), the Hawk Surface-to-air Missile, plus radar units.
The Infantry Unit section is next with the latest Type 89 IFV and the older Type 73 and Type 60 APCs. The Type 96 8-Wheeled Armoured Car is an interesting vehicle?
The Engineer Unit section is next and has pictures of the many and varied Armoured Engineer vehicles currently in service.
This is followed by the Aviation Units featuring the Helicopters used, the OH-6, UH-1, UH-60, AH-1 and CH-47.
Finally the many softskins and auxiliary vehicles used.
While no vehicle
has really close-up detail photos, a number are taken at fairly close quarters
and many good details can be seen.
A nice general collection of current JGSDF equipment if this is your interest?