Why Japan Sent This Material Transport Vehicle To Ukraine

Small, But Extremely Useful

Since the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) puts emphasis on building firm defensive positions, they are known to possess some highly capable engineering vehicles.

One such example is the Material Transport Vehicle which is a small dump truck capable of delivering supplies to mountainous regions and muddy areas.

• General Overview 

In service since 1990, the Material Transport Vehicle is a small tracked vehicle that performs excellent off-road capability as well as high durability. The dump truck is able to navigate slopes up to 30 degrees, cross shallow rivers, and overcome trenches up to 1m/3.3ft.

These features enable the vehicle to traverse terrains and narrow corridors which are inaccessible to normal trucks.

If we take a look at the transport capacity, the cargo bed can carry up to 3 tons of supplies and ammunition.It also has a built-in crane that can handle up to 2 tons, increasing the efficiency of on-loading/off-loading work.

Moreover, the size and lightweight nature allows the vehicle itself to be loaded  on larger trucks for long-distance travel.

Such compact and versatile feature especially comes in handy during disaster relief operations, thereby enabling the JGSDF units to pass through roads littered with debris or mountainous detour routes.

Hence, despite its small and rather cute appearance, the vehicle is highly valued for its versatility, and is reckoned as one of the most reliable equipment within the entire army.

Serving In Ukraine

Though it doesn’t receive the same amount of attention as tanks and other vehicles, the Material Transport Vehicle is crucial in facilitating smoother operations, particularly when constructing fortifications in the mountains.

Adding to this usefulness, these small trucks are cost-effective compared to other JGSDF vehicles, which is why they are widely distributed among infantry and engineering units.

Recognizing the vehicle’s off-road capacity and instrumental nature, the Japanese government has provided Ukraine with some of these trucks as part of the military aid.

Their robust capability is certainly well-suited for Ukraine’s muddy terrain, and is expected to serve a wide range of roles from frontline fortifications to post-war reconstruction.

As Japan cannot provide lethal weapons, such as tanks and missiles, the Material Transport Vehicle is deemed as one of the main efforts among the assistance towards Ukraine.