The is a Japanese air defense weapon built around the Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon system as used on the Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. The system uses a modified Type 74 tank chassis. It is also nicknamed by field officers as "Guntank" after the similar-looking mecha in the Mobile Suit Gundam series. History As the JSDF began to seek a replacement for the M42 Duster SPAAGs provided by the United States, the Japanese Defense Agency began to issue requirements for the production of a local SPAAG unit to replace the M42. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries had been eventually awarded the contract to produce a SPAAG unit to replace its old M42s. Development It had been developed in 1987, given the Type 87 designation status, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries providing the chassis and Japan Steel Works providing the cannon system. Initially, the chassis of the Type 61 tank would be used. Later, it had been rejected and had the chassis of the Type 74 tank used instead as a basis for producing the Type 87 SPAAG. Prior to its development, tests had begun underway in 1982 with a prototype SPAAG unit manufactured in 1983. Variants AWX (1978) The first prototype of the Type 87 that was based on a Type 61 chassis. Tests showed the weight of the turret with the radar and fire control systems was too much and so later prototypes used a Type 74 chassis. AWX (1983) The second Type 87 prototype that used a Type 74 chassis. This prototype differed from the production version by a lack of smoke grenade launchers and the ability to equip a Type 92 mine roller on the front. Status In 2010, it was reported that the Japan Self-Defense Forces had 52 of these vehicles in service. Operators Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Northern Army 2nd Division 2nd Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion 3rd Antiaircraft company(2 platoons: 8 vehicles) 7th Division 7th Antiaircraft Artillery Regiment 1st Antiaircraft company(2 platoons: 8 vehicles) 2nd Antiaircraft company(2 platoons: 8 vehicles) 3rd Antiaircraft company(2 platoons: 8 vehicles) 4th Antiaircraft company(2 platoons: 8 vehicles) Air Defense School Air Defense School Unit 3rd Antiaircraft company(2 platoons: 8 vehicles) Ordnance School(Camp Tutiura） References External links Type-87 self-propelled anti-aircraft machine-gun at GlobalSecurity.org Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapons Anti-aircraft guns of Japan Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Armoured fighting vehicles of Japan 35 mm artillery Military vehicles introduced in the 1980s