Common Tactical Wheeled Vehicle
| Common Tactical Wheeled Vehicle | |
|---|---|
_left_side_view_at_Camp_Fuji_October_5%252C_2025.jpg) The Type 25 RCV, one of the variants of the CTWV. | |
| Type | Armored fighting vehicle |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2024-present |
| Used by | Japan |
| Production history | |
| Designer | TRDI (Technical Research & Development Institute)[note 1] |
| Designed | 2010 - 2024 |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries |
| Developed from | |
| Unit cost | ¥ 1 billion yen (USD $7.04 million) [note 2] |
| Produced | Since 2024 (serial production) |
| No. built | 3 prototypes as of 2024[2] |
| Variants |
|
| Specifications | |
| Mass |
|
| Length | 8.1 to 8.7 m (27 to 29 ft) |
| Width | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Height | 2.7 to 2.9 m (8 ft 10 in to 9 ft 6 in) |
| Crew |
|
| Passengers | 8 (Type 24 AWCV) |
Main armament |
|
Secondary armament | 7.62 mm Mk 52 chain gun (Type 24 AWCV and Type 25 RCV) |
| Engine | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 4VA Diesel 400 kW (540 hp) |
| Power/weight | 29.8 hp/tonne empty |
| Payload capacity | 10,000 kg (22,000 lb) |
| Suspension | Independent Double wishbone suspension or Hydropneumatic suspension |
| Maximum speed | Over 100 km/h (62 mph) |
The Common Tactical Wheeled Vehicle (CTWV) is a family of wheeled armored vehicles that are expected to be deployed by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). This vehicle is based on the same platform as the Type 16 MCV, and four further variants have been developed, of which three will enter service.
Background
The CTWV is based on the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MAV (Mobile Armored Vehicle), development of which was initiated in the early 2010s, and was unveiled in 2014 at Eurosatory.[3] It is derived from the Type 16 MCV with which it shared 80% of the components.[4]
In December 2019, the JGSDF ordered prototypes of three new variants of the MAV under the CTWV program: the Type 24 AWCV (Armored Wheeled Combat Vehicle), the Type 24 MM (Mobile 120 mm Mortar), and the Type 25 RCV (Reconnaissance Combat Vehicle).[2] The vehicle family is intended to be deployed alongside the Type 16 MCV, providing fire support and intelligence gathering capabilities.[5]
This family of vehicles has been ordered to equip the Rapid Deployment Regiment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, able to quickly be deployed in case of an urgent need. A total of 370 armored fighting vehicles of this family are expected to be ordered.[6]
Variants
Type 24 AWCV (Armored Wheeled Combat Vehicle)
This variant is a wheeled highly mobile infantry fighting vehicle for the JGSDF.
Type 24 MM (Mobile 120 mm Mortar)
This variant will be replacement of the 120 mm mortar RT (license-built version of the MO-120 RT). The vehicle has a roof opening system for a Thales 2R2M mortar platform capable of firing in 360°. On the sides, there are storage spaces for the shells and propellant.[7]
Type 25 RCV (Reconnaissance Combat Vehicle)
This variant is designed to succeed to the Type 87 RCV in the JGSDF. The testing of the prototype was going on in 2023.[8]
Operators
Future operators
Japan (93 ordered as of 2026, 370 planned)- As of 2026, the total order list includes:
Detailed list of orders
| Fiscal year | Cost
(¥ billion) |
Variants of the CTWV
Common Tactical Wheeled Vehicle |
Notes | ||
| Type 24
Wheeled Armored Fighting Vehicle |
Type 24
Mobile 120 mm Mortar |
Type 25
Reconnaissance and Surveillance Vehicle | |||
| Target total | – | 150 | 100 | 120 | 370 AFV planned[6] |
| 2027 | – | – | – | – | |
| – | – | – | – | ||
| – | – | – | – | ||
| 2026 | ¥ 9.50 | – | 8 | – | [11] |
| ¥ 27.60 | – | – | 18 | ||
| 2025 | ¥ 22.00 | 18 | – | – | [12] |
| ¥ 8.50 | – | 8 | – | ||
| ¥ 9.10 | – | – | 6 | ||
| 2024 | ¥ 24.20 | 24 | – | – | [2][9] |
| ¥ 8.00 | – | 8 | – | ||
| 2023 | ¥ 0.00 | – | – | – | – |
| 2022 | ¥ 0.00 | – | – | – | – |
| 2021 | ¥ 0.00 | – | – | – | – |
| 2020 | ¥ 0.00 | – | – | – | – |
| 2019 | ¥ 2.35 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Prototypes[2] |
| Total | ¥ 111.25
(+ ¥ 0) |
43
(+ 0) |
25
(+ 0) |
25
(+ 0) |
– |
| 93
(+ 0) |
– | ||||
Footnotes
- ↑ Became the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency in 2015.
- ↑ Unit cost is based on the 2024 budget, with ¥ 24.2 billion for 24 ICV (first serial production order)[1]
References
- ↑ "Overview of the FY2024 Budget" (PDF).
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Japan to order new combat vehicles in 2024". Janes.com. 13 March 2024. Archived from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
- ↑ "MILITARY TECHNOLOGY: Eurosatory 2014: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Fujitsu Photographic Recap". miltechmag.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2026. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Why Mitsubishi's Mobile Armored Vehicle Lost The Race". Random Japan Academy. 26 May 2024. Archived from the original on 21 October 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ 陸上自衛隊 広報チャンネル (7 June 2025). 令和７年度富士総合火力演習（ライブ配信チャンネル）. Retrieved 7 July 2026 – via YouTube.
- 1 2 Felstead, Peter (9 September 2024). "JGSDF calls for numerous AFVs within Japanese MoD's largest ever budget request - European Security & Defence". Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ↑ "新型装甲車「24式装輪装甲戦闘車」「24式機動120mm迫撃砲」が登場！ さらに旧式装備にも再び脚光が？ 令和7年度防衛省概算要求が公開". Motor-Fan[モーターファン] (in Japanese). 1 September 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ↑ "Japan tests prototype of new reconnaissance vehicle". Default. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- 1 2 3 "Overview of the FY2024 Budget (Page 23)" (PDF).
- 1 2 3 "Overview of FY2025 Budget" (PDF). January 2025.
- ↑ "Page 16 - Defence budget Japan 2026" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 January 2026.
- ↑ "Page 26 - Defence budget Japan 2025" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2025.