CHITOSE, HOKKAIDO – Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has provided a detailed look at the extensive maintenance and overhaul work being performed on the Type 10 main battle tank (MBT) at its facility in Chitose. The process, officially known as “overhaul and repair,” serves as a critical mid-life intervention aimed at restoring the sophisticated vehicle to its original performance specifications after years of demanding use.
According to materials released by the company, armored vehicles like the Type 10 operate in harsh conditions over several decades, making periodic factory-level refurbishment essential. This procedure involves a complete cycle of inspection, disassembly, restoration, and reassembly, all conducted under controlled factory conditions using specialized technologies. The objective is to ensure every major component, from the engine and drivetrain to the complex turret system, is meticulously inspected and either repaired, reused, or replaced as necessary.
Photographs from the Chitose facility illustrate the intricacy of the process, showing a Type 10 turret separated from its hull and placed on a dedicated inspection stand for detailed diagnostics. Technicians in full safety gear are seen conducting precision checks with advanced equipment, including three-dimensional coordinate measuring machines and non-destructive inspection tools. These high-tech methods, alongside traditional manual assessments, allow them to detect microcracks, material fatigue, and other structural issues that are invisible to the naked eye.
The Chitose plant serves as the central hub for this level of ground vehicle work in Japan. Dozens of vehicles are cycled through the facility annually for what MHI describes as a "complete restoration of functionality." Tanks are transported from military units across the country to undergo this carefully documented and repeatable overhaul process, which includes:
- Meticulous disassembly with damage-avoidance techniques for reusable parts.
- Welding repairs for specialized steel and lightweight alloys.
- Restoration of structural alignment.
- Comprehensive engine and drivetrain performance tests.
- A final, full-system verification of turret and hull functionality by quality control specialists.
The Type 10 MBT, developed by MHI and in service with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force since 2012, remains the nation's most modern armored platform. It is renowned for its compact design, modular armor, and high mobility, making it particularly effective in Japan’s mountainous and urban terrain. While the tank is capable of networked warfare and is armed with a potent domestically produced 120mm smoothbore cannon, this regular refurbishment is considered vital for preserving its combat effectiveness and maintaining its edge on the battlefield.
