The Type 74 mod G/Kai is the last and highly modernised 1990s version of the familiar Japanese MBT, which only saw limited production due to its high cost. In update 1.87, tankers may look forward to having the chance to command one of the most highly anticipated Japanese ground vehicles, coming soon to War Thunder!

Briefly: A modernised version of the well-known Japanese Type 74, whose upgrades improved its combat capabilities.

History ▼ With the introduction of the Type 90 MBT, it was believed that the large vehicle was far from suitable for rapid deployment in the confined urban areas of the Japanese Home Islands, in the event of an outbreak of hostilities. As a result, the Type 90 would primarily be stationed on the spacious island of Hokkaido. This development sparked the need for a smaller and more flexible combat vehicle to be made, which would substitute the Type 90 in such problematic areas. As a result, plans were made to modernise existing Type 74 MBTs with some of the most advanced equipment and technologies available at the time, in order to bring the vehicle up to standard. The resulting Type 74 mod G/Kai, as it became known, featured numerous improvements over previous versions, most of which were inherited from the Type 90, such as the state-of-the-art ballistic targeting computer, for example. Further improvements were made to the vehicle’s protection, with the installation of side-skirt panels and CBRN equipment as well some improvements being made to the vehicle’s mobility - reverse speed was increased, to only mention a few examples. The first prototype of the Type 74 mod G/Kai was built in the early 1990s, followed by 4 further production vehicles being manufactured. However, as the Cold War came to a close and due to the modernisation effort proving to be too expensive, the project was abandoned shortly afterwards. In the end, the initial five Type 74 mod G/Kai produced also turned out to be the last. These units are still in active service with the JGSDF today.

In War Thunder, the Type 74 mod G/Kai will be a new rank VI Japanese ground vehicle, available to tankers for purchase as part of a special bundle in our online store. Compared to the already existing model of the Type 74 in game, the mod G/Kai will offer tankers improved protection thanks to side-skirts, and a greater reverse speed, and will also substantially speed up the advance towards more higher tier vehicles, thank to its premium status!

Although still armed with the excellent L7A3 105mm rifled cannon, with the release of update 1.87 there will be a notable improvement to its firepower - availability of more powerful APFSDS round. Both the Type 74 and the Type 74 mod G/Kai receive access to the Type 93 APFSDS round, which is capable of penetrating up to around 405mm of rolled homogeneous armour at close range. Thanks to the high penetrating power of this new sub-calibre round, commanders of both vehicles should have no troubles combating even some of the more heavily armoured MBTs on the battlefield.

Complementing the improvements to firepower are minor upgrades to the Type 74 mod G/Kai’s protection as well. Specifically, the protection of the Type 74 mod G/Kai is enhanced with the installation of 10mm thick applique side-skirt plates, which cover up a good portion of the vehicle’s hull sides. Though these might not make a large difference against kinetic rounds, they may sometimes save the vehicle from an untimely demise by prematurely detonating a chemical round.

Still being powered by the same 720 horsepower Mitsubishi diesel engine, the Type 74 mod G/Kai received a second reverse gear, thus allowing the vehicle to reach a higher reverse speed. As a result, this modification of the Type 74 mod G/Kai will highly benefit from this improvement, especially on urban locations, as it makes breaking cover in order to fire and returning to cover a much faster process, thus reducing the probability of being spotted and fired back upon.