Japanese Army Tank Explodes Killing Three Soldiers

Three Japanese soldiers dies and one was seriously injured when a tank exploded during a training exercise at the Hijudai maneuver area in Oita Prefecture.

Japanese media reported that three Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) members died and one other was seriously injured Tuesday after an explosion occurred inside a tank during training.

The GSDF unit had been conducting target practice with a Type 10 tank when a shell detonated prematurely inside the gun turret, GSDF officials said.

The explosion, which occurred at around 8:40 a.m., killed Sgt. 1st Class Kentaro Hamabe, 45, Sgt. Shingo Takayama, 31, and Sgt. Kozo Kanai, 30, Japan Times said quoting GSDF officials.

The Type 10 is manufactured by by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force. It entered service in 2012. Compared with other currently-serving main battle tanks in the JGSDF, the Type 10 is said to be better equipped to deal with anti-tank weapons.

Turret and Shells

The Type 10 uses a novel 120mm gun developed by Japan Steel Works which can fire Type 10 APFSDS round besides the JM33 APFSDS as well as 120mm NATO ammunition. The Type 10 holds a total of 36 rounds: 14 in the autoloader, 2 behind the gunner, 6 in the ready ammunition storage, and 14 in reserve