Japan displays new locally-developed 8x8 APC demonstrator

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' MAV demonstrator at DSEI Japan 2019. Photo c/o Australian Defence Magazine

Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has released their new 8x8 armored personnel carrier (APC) demonstrator for display during the recently concluded DSEI Japan 2019 defense exhibition in Chiba.

The new vehicle called the Mitsubishi Armored Vehicle (MAV) is based on the Type 16 Mobile Combat Vehicle, and will be competing with two foreign designs to meet requirements for the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) to replace the ageing Type 96 8x8 armored vehicle.

Different variants of the vehicle will be made available which includes command and control (C2), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and anti-tank vehicles.

The vehicle weighs 28 tons and is 8 meters long and 2.8 meters wide, and will be operated by 2 crew members and have space for at least 9 troops in full combat gear. It is powered by Mitsubishi’s 4MA 4-cylinder diesel engine with output of 400 kilowatts allowing a top speed of more than 100 kilometers per hour.

So far, other competitors for the JGSDF Type 96 replacement project includes Finland’s Patria with their Armored Modular Vehicle XP (AMVXP), and General Dynamics Land Systems’ LAV 6.0 which were invited to submit the vehicles for testing by Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA)


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] Army Recognition
[3] Australian Defence Magazine