Can Japan’s Type 87 Anti-Tank Missile Still Defeat Tanks?

First Laser-Guided Weapon

Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) enjoys a diverse arsenal of anti-tank weapons including the Type 01 Light Anti-Tank Missile (a.k.a. “Japanese Javelin”) and the Panzerfaust 3.

In addition to these shoulder-fired weapons, there are also types that are mounted on tripods for long-range engagements.

One such example is the “Type 87 Anti-Tank Missile” which is known as the first Japanese weapon to adopt a laser-guided system.

• General Overview

Often referred as “Chu-MAT,” the Type 87 ATM is a lighter, upgraded version of the previous Type 79 Anti-Ship/Anti-Tank Missile and was distributed among the infantry regiment’s anti-tank platoons.

The Type 87 ATM consists of a launcher, a laser designator for aiming, and a night vision device, all of which can be situated on a tripod unit.

Being a laser-guided missile, the Type 87 ATM does not require any guidance wires like the Type 79 ATM, increasing the maximum velocity to 250m/820ft per second.

On the other hand, laser guidance does have its shortcomings, such as exposing the team to enemy detection or being vulnerable to smoke screens.

Type 87 firing during exercise (photo: JGSDF)

The Type 87 ATM is usually handled by a crew of three: a gunner, spotter, and the loader.

Since the spotter who operates the laser designator must continue aiming until impact, the launcher and designator can be separated at a distance of 200 meters or 220 yards from each other to ensure safety.

The entire system, coming with a total of six missiles, weighs around 140kg/300lbs and has to be transported by vehicle.

But, each component can be carried by a single individual, enabling deployment in areas inaccessible to trucks and expanding options for ambush points.

The Type 87 ATM is capable of conducting night-time attacks and its effective range is estimated to be 2,000 meters/2,190 yards, though the actual range is said to be twice of such figure.

Remains Quite Useful

The real question is “how effective the Type 87 ATM is and whether it can destroy modern tanks.”

According to official specifications, the Type 87 ATM can demonstrate enough firepower equivalent to that of the German Panzerfaust 3.

This might be insufficient in penetrating the enhanced armor of modern tanks, but it can deliver quite a punch when aimed at the vulnerable flanks or utilized in ambush attacks.

For instance, the Ukrainian military has successfully destroyed numerous Russian tanks using the similar “Stugna-P” anti-tank missiles.

Hence, it is fair to say that the Type 87 ATM can still deliver a fatal blow against modern tanks when used at the right time.

Approximately 300 sets were produced for the JGSDF until 2006, but this number was hardly enough for complete distribution among each anti-tank platoon, resulting in the development of the “Middle Range Multi-Purpose Missile” as a successor.