MI-9 EX-2 JGSDF TYPE 87 SELF-PROPELLED ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN

The Type 87 is a modern Japanese anti-aircraft artillery system. The first prototypes of the vehicle were created in the early 1980s, and the first Type 87 cars entered the line in 1987. The Type 87 is powered by a single Mitsubishi Type 10ZF Type 22 engine producing 750hp. The Type 87 is armed with two 35mm Oerlikon KDA autocannons. The Type 87 was created as a successor to the American M42 Duster vehicle used by the Japanese armed forces. Mitsubishi and Japan Steel Works were involved in the design and production of the new anti-aircraft system. First of all, the guns used in it were analogous to those in the German vehicle Gepard, which turned out to be better than those used in the M42 Duster. In addition, in order to shorten the implementation time, an appropriately modified chassis and hull of the Type 74 tank were used, thanks to which the Type 87 is characterized by good mobility and maneuverability in the field. Like the Cheetah, the Type 87 has its own radar, which greatly increases its autonomy on the battlefield. In 2010, the Japanese armed forces were equipped with 52 examples of this type of weapon.