After Japan's unconditional surrender at the end of World War 2, the shattered empire had been deprived of the opportunity of developing their own armoured vehicles. Here today we will show you the prototype Japanese ST-A1 medium tank, which initiated the history of post war Japanese tanks.

Once Japan acknowledged defeat in World War II, its military institutions had to be reformed with new systems and production methods. The country was prohibited from having an official military, and was instead permitted to create a paramilitary national police force. During this time they used American tanks lent to them by the US. Later, as the Korean war intensified, the United States allowed Japan to have its own defense force in the face of increased tensions. By the mid 50’s, it became clear that the Self-Defense Force required their own tank development to fit the terrain of the country. New lightweight Japanese tanks were planned to be compact and maneuverable, making them able to be transported cross-country through mountainous terrain. The vehicles borrowed from the main armament of the American 90mm caliber gun, familiar and favoured by War Thunder players as the main armament of the American M46 and M47 tanks.





To fulfill the military’s requirements, tank designers offered several promising projects, the first of which was the ST-A1. The tank ended up quite compact, with a height of only 2.2 meters. This allowed it to have excellent cover abilities, with a cast turret and traditional Japanese tank layout: the engine installed behind the transmission. Two finished vehicles of this model were built. Despite the fact that the ST-A1 series did not continue, it was a starting point for the future of Japanese tank development.

Read the full Dev Blog here!

After Japan's unconditional surrender at the end of World War 2, the shattered empire had been deprived of the opportunity of developing their own armoured vehicles. Here today we will show you the prototype Japanese ST-A1 medium tank, which initiated the history of post war Japanese tanks.

Once Japan acknowledged defeat in World War II, its military institutions had to be reformed with new systems and production methods. The country was prohibited from having an official military, and was instead permitted to create a paramilitary national police force. During this time they used American tanks lent to them by the US. Later, as the Korean war intensified, the United States allowed Japan to have its own defense force in the face of increased tensions. By the mid 50’s, it became clear that the Self-Defense Force required their own tank development to fit the terrain of the country. New lightweight Japanese tanks were planned to be compact and maneuverable, making them able to be transported cross-country through mountainous terrain. The vehicles borrowed from the main armament of the American 90mm caliber gun, familiar and favoured by War Thunder players as the main armament of the American M46 and M47 tanks.





To fulfill the military’s requirements, tank designers offered several promising projects, the first of which was the ST-A1. The tank ended up quite compact, with a height of only 2.2 meters. This allowed it to have excellent cover abilities, with a cast turret and traditional Japanese tank layout: the engine installed behind the transmission. Two finished vehicles of this model were built. Despite the fact that the ST-A1 series did not continue, it was a starting point for the future of Japanese tank development.

Read the full Dev Blog here!

The Movie “Panfilov’s 28” by “28 Panfilov’s Guardsmen” studio and “Gaijin Entertainment” is about to premiere in Russia on November 24th. In order to celebrate the film’s release, we have prepared an event, as well as a player’s icon and tank decal which can be won in the event.

Read the full Dev Blog here!

The Movie “Panfilov’s 28” by “28 Panfilov’s Guardsmen” studio and “Gaijin Entertainment” is about to premiere in Russia on November 24th. In order to celebrate the film’s release, we have prepared an event, as well as a player’s icon and tank decal which can be won in the event.

Read the full Dev Blog here!

The Type 3 Chi-Nu medium tank is rightly considered the best series-produced Japanese tank of World War II. It was created as the last line of defense in the case of an enemy invasion in Japan.

By looking at this tank’s design, one can immediately recognize the Type 3 Chi-Nu’s predecessor – the Type 97 Chi-Ha, already familiar to us. Although numerous modifications and upgrades noticeably improved the tank’s armor, changed its turret significantly, and gave it a cannon that inspires respect even from the side, the tank’s chassis did not undergo radical changes. The engine and basic suspension and transmission joints were passed on to the Type 3 almost unchanged.





In 1943, this tank went into production and was based on the Chi-He tanks, which, in their turn, were a fundamentally modernized version of the Chi-Ha. The Type 3 Chi-Nu medium tank did not participate in military operations against the USA or the USSR. The tank was deployed in units intended to defend Japan from a ground invasion, meaning that the Chi-Nu was literally entrusted with protecting the homeland and the Imperial family. However, Japan surrendered before the allies reached the capital, and the tank continued its service in the post-war era, forming part of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. The Type 3 Chi-Nu was kept in service until the 60s, when the Japanese army received brand new tanks.

Read the full Dev Blog here!

The Type 3 Chi-Nu medium tank is rightly considered the best series-produced Japanese tank of World War II. It was created as the last line of defense in the case of an enemy invasion in Japan.

By looking at this tank’s design, one can immediately recognize the Type 3 Chi-Nu’s predecessor – the Type 97 Chi-Ha, already familiar to us. Although numerous modifications and upgrades noticeably improved the tank’s armor, changed its turret significantly, and gave it a cannon that inspires respect even from the side, the tank’s chassis did not undergo radical changes. The engine and basic suspension and transmission joints were passed on to the Type 3 almost unchanged.





In 1943, this tank went into production and was based on the Chi-He tanks, which, in their turn, were a fundamentally modernized version of the Chi-Ha. The Type 3 Chi-Nu medium tank did not participate in military operations against the USA or the USSR. The tank was deployed in units intended to defend Japan from a ground invasion, meaning that the Chi-Nu was literally entrusted with protecting the homeland and the Imperial family. However, Japan surrendered before the allies reached the capital, and the tank continued its service in the post-war era, forming part of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. The Type 3 Chi-Nu was kept in service until the 60s, when the Japanese army received brand new tanks.

Read the full Dev Blog here!

When talking about Japanese tanks, it’s impossible to forget
the second most mass-produced tank in Japan in World War II. Meet the Type 97 Chi-Ha!

At the Igromir 2016 expo, we spoke about a Chi-Ha modification with a 47 mm cannon. We’re not going to miss out the base model either – all the more because this tank is the second most mass-produced Japanese tank in the Second World War. Furthermore, the Type 97 Chi-Ha served as a basis for the development of a large number of modifications (many of which will also be represented in the Japanese armored vehicle tech tree in War Thunder). The tank’s chassis and parts were used to make SPGs, repair and evacuation vehicles, engineering vehicles and special vehicles – in other words, this tank really is special!





So without further ado, we introduce the early-series Type 97 Chi-Ha Japanese medium tank. The idea behind this tank was born as a result of the experience in using tanks during military operations in Manchuria and China, which revealed that Japan’s tanks didn’t meet the requirements for modern armored vehicles of the age. The army required a faster and more well-defended tank with superior armament. Based on the results of an analysis of battles in Manchuria and China, the military were forced to choose between several projects in development with the Japanese tank designers. The medium (by Japanese classification) Chi-Ha tank was deemed the most successful. It was deployed in 1937 and took part in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol 1938 in limited numbers. Although the latest and already full-scale war proved that this tank could still not compete with its enemy contemporaries, more than 2,000 tanks of this series were produced in the 1937-1943 period. These included the Chi-Ha Kai modification.

Read the full Dev Blog article here!

When talking about Japanese tanks, it’s impossible to forget
the second most mass-produced tank in Japan in World War II. Meet the Type 97 Chi-Ha!

At the Igromir 2016 expo, we spoke about a Chi-Ha modification with a 47 mm cannon. We’re not going to miss out the base model either – all the more because this tank is the second most mass-produced Japanese tank in the Second World War. Furthermore, the Type 97 Chi-Ha served as a basis for the development of a large number of modifications (many of which will also be represented in the Japanese armored vehicle tech tree in War Thunder). The tank’s chassis and parts were used to make SPGs, repair and evacuation vehicles, engineering vehicles and special vehicles – in other words, this tank really is special!





So without further ado, we introduce the early-series Type 97 Chi-Ha Japanese medium tank. The idea behind this tank was born as a result of the experience in using tanks during military operations in Manchuria and China, which revealed that Japan’s tanks didn’t meet the requirements for modern armored vehicles of the age. The army required a faster and more well-defended tank with superior armament. Based on the results of an analysis of battles in Manchuria and China, the military were forced to choose between several projects in development with the Japanese tank designers. The medium (by Japanese classification) Chi-Ha tank was deemed the most successful. It was deployed in 1937 and took part in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol 1938 in limited numbers. Although the latest and already full-scale war proved that this tank could still not compete with its enemy contemporaries, more than 2,000 tanks of this series were produced in the 1937-1943 period. These included the Chi-Ha Kai modification.

Read the full Dev Blog article here!

At the Igromir 2016 expo held this autumn in Moscow, we spoke about our work on the Japanese armored vehicle tech tree. We also showcased two tanks from it. Our work on the Japanese tanks is approaching the finish line, and these new armored vehicles will be coming to War Thunder very soon. We’re going to acquaint you with them in our Devblog.

Today we’d like to talk about the Japanese Type 2 Ka-Mi tank, the most mass-produced Japanese amphibious tank in the history of World War II. Mitsubishi engineers created this light tank on the orders of the navy – Japanese military sailors needed a tank capable of landing near the shore and independently reaching the coast, maintaining its seaworthiness even in rough waters. Considering their truly massive plans for military operations on islands and in coastal territories, it’s no wonder that the Imperial Navy gave the Mitsubishi’s engineers carte blanche to come up with engineering solutions: “do as you like, but the tank must be able to travel on water like a boat!”





As a basis for the future design, the tank designers used the light Ha-Go tank, which were cranked out at a great rate. In the course of development, it became clear that the required maneuverability and stability at sea could only be obtained by installing pontoon floats capable of supporting a light tank on water. These pontoons made the tank look like a boat and really did give the amphibious vehicle impressive seaworthiness. It turned out that effectively moving and doing battle with these pontoons was impossible, so they were removable: the tank reached the coast, quickly dropped its pontoons and went into battle without them. All credit where credit is due – this very unusual decision turned out to be fully justified, and over the course of war, Japan built roughly 180 of these vehicles and used them very effectively in naval landings.

For more information, view the full Dev Blog here!

At the Igromir 2016 expo held this autumn in Moscow, we spoke about our work on the Japanese armored vehicle tech tree. We also showcased two tanks from it. Our work on the Japanese tanks is approaching the finish line, and these new armored vehicles will be coming to War Thunder very soon. We’re going to acquaint you with them in our Devblog.

Today we’d like to talk about the Japanese Type 2 Ka-Mi tank, the most mass-produced Japanese amphibious tank in the history of World War II. Mitsubishi engineers created this light tank on the orders of the navy – Japanese military sailors needed a tank capable of landing near the shore and independently reaching the coast, maintaining its seaworthiness even in rough waters. Considering their truly massive plans for military operations on islands and in coastal territories, it’s no wonder that the Imperial Navy gave the Mitsubishi’s engineers carte blanche to come up with engineering solutions: “do as you like, but the tank must be able to travel on water like a boat!”





As a basis for the future design, the tank designers used the light Ha-Go tank, which were cranked out at a great rate. In the course of development, it became clear that the required maneuverability and stability at sea could only be obtained by installing pontoon floats capable of supporting a light tank on water. These pontoons made the tank look like a boat and really did give the amphibious vehicle impressive seaworthiness. It turned out that effectively moving and doing battle with these pontoons was impossible, so they were removable: the tank reached the coast, quickly dropped its pontoons and went into battle without them. All credit where credit is due – this very unusual decision turned out to be fully justified, and over the course of war, Japan built roughly 180 of these vehicles and used them very effectively in naval landings.

For more information, view the full Dev Blog here!