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Japan Sends More Military Vehicles to Ukraine in Latest Defense Support

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Ivan_khomenko
Ivan Khomenko
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Japan Sends More Military Vehicles to Ukraine in Latest Defense Support
A Japanese Mitsubishi Type 73 Gen.2 military utility vehicle secured on a transport trailer, ready for delivery to Ukraine. (Source: Embassy of Japan in Ukraine)

Japan’s Ministry of Defense will provide Ukraine with approximately 30 additional military vehicles. Six of these were delivered to Ukraine on April 10, 2025, after arriving in Poland, according to the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine on April 15.

This new transfer adds to the 101 vehicles previously donated by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, which included Type 73 light trucks, high mobility vehicles (HMVs), and PC-065B tracked engineering dump trucks. The new batch consists of second-generation Mitsubishi Type 73 light utility vehicles.

The Type 73 Gen.2 is based on the civilian Mitsubishi Pajero platform from 1996. Initially powered by a 2.8-liter 4M40 turbocharged diesel engine producing 125 horsepower, the vehicle has used a 2.4-liter 4N15 turbocharged diesel engine with the same output since 2014.

A representative of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and a Ukrainian official shake hands in front of military vehicles being transferred to Ukraine. (Source: Embassy of Japan in Ukraine)
A representative of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and a Ukrainian official shake hands in front of military vehicles being transferred to Ukraine. (Source: Embassy of Japan in Ukraine)

It features a four-speed automatic transmission, full-time all-wheel drive, a top speed of 125 km/h, and a payload capacity of 440 kg.

The vehicle can be equipped with a 5.56mm Minimi or a 12.7mm Browning machine gun and is typically used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force as a command vehicle. It also serves in anti-tank units, man-portable air-defense teams, and special forces.

It remains unclear whether the entire batch of 30 vehicles will consist solely of light trucks. The final shipment may include additional types of equipment, such as engineering vehicles.

A convoy of Japanese Type 73 Gen.2 vehicles loaded on a flatbed truck for delivery as part of Japan’s latest military aid package to Ukraine. (Source: Embassy of Japan in Ukraine)
A convoy of Japanese Type 73 Gen.2 vehicles loaded on a flatbed truck for delivery as part of Japan’s latest military aid package to Ukraine. (Source: Embassy of Japan in Ukraine)

In addition to military aid, Japan continues to support Ukraine through medical and rehabilitation programs. In February 2025, Japan announced that a second military hospital would begin accepting wounded Ukrainian servicemembers, in addition to the existing facility at the Self-Defense Forces Central Hospital.

According to the Embassy of Japan, Tokyo remains committed to supporting Ukraine “in its fight for freedom and peace.”

Earlier, Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani announced that Tokyo is considering joining NATO’s Ukraine support mission based in Germany, signaling deeper cooperation with the alliance.

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