Japanese MoD’s draft FY 2026 budget seeks numerous new AFVs and weapons

The submitted requests from the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) within its draft defence budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 include a number of armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) and small arms for the Japan Ground Self Defense Forces (JGSDF).

Eight examples of the Type 24 Mobile 120 mm Mortar, a derivative of the latest Common Tactical Wheeled Vehicle (CTWV), have been requested at a cost of JPY9.5 billion. Eighteen Type 25 Reconnaissance and Surveillance Vehicles (RSVs) has been requested at JPY27.9 billion.

With the Patria AMV XP 8×8 armoured vehicle adopted under Japan’s Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier (WAPC) 8×8 programme, 23 of them were requested at a cost of JPY17 billion. Further to this, 23 Kongsberg Protector RS4 remote weapon stations (RWSs) have been requested for these vehicles at JPY2.9 billion. These will be a Japan-specific variant and will be the first RWSs adopted by the JGSDF.

Eight Type 10 main battle tanks have been requested at a cost of JPY16 billion, along with one Type 11 armoured recovery vehicle at JPY1.6 billion and three Type 23 armoured dozers at JPY3.3 billion.

Modernisation of the Type 10 is also planned and a request for information (RoI) has already been issued, but no related budget has been requested for FY 2026. Additionally, Type 16 Mobile Combat Vehicles were not requested for FY 2026.

Fourteen Type 19 155 mm self-propelled howitzers have been at a cost of JPY14 billion.

Eleven sets of Multi-Purpose Guided Missile Systems (Modified), or MPGMSMs, including missiles and ground equipment, have been requested at a cosy of JPY24.8 billion. In addition, JPY29.8 billion has been requested to cover initial costs for the construction of the system production line and other related expenses. The MPGMSM is an improved version of the current Type 96 Multi-Purpose Guided Missile System (MPGMS). It features enhanced capabilities, including extended range, simultaneous multi-target engagement, high-speed target engagement and all-azimuth engagement. Whereas the existing MPGMS comprises six vehicles, MPGMSM consists of just three vehicles: a command-and-control vehicle, a search and designation vehicle, and a launcher vehicle (all mounted on high-mobility vehicles). This simplifies the system as well as reducing costs and the number of crew required.

A sum of JPY650 million has been requested to procure sample vehicles under the Next‑generation Light Armoured Vehicle project: a successor to the current Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV). The successor to the LAV was originally to be the Small Armoured Vehicle (SAV), but this programme was cancelled.

According to the Ground Staff Office Public Affairs, two proposals were evaluated for the SAV programme: Thales Australia’s Hawkei, proposed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries; and the Eagle IV from General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS), proposed by Marubeni Aerospace. However, the procurement was cancelled after a comprehensive consideration of factors, including a review of operational concepts and rising prices. Consequently, alternatives, including commercially based vehicles with ballistic protection, are under consideration.

Small arms requested for the JGSDF in FY 2026 include 10,000 Type 20 assault rifles at a cost of approximately JPY4.4 billion. Sixty‑six Type 20 40 mm grenade launchers (Beretta GLX160 weapons) have been requested at JPY50 million, while the requirement for 12.7 mm machine guns is 101 units, with a requested amount of JPY1.0 billion. Also, 167 Carl Gustaf M4 anti-armour weapons have been requested for JPY2.7 billion.

The Minimi Mk3 machine gun, the SFP9 pistol, and the new G28 sniper rifle were not requested in the FY 2026 draft defence budget.