Type 96

• Name — Type 96 120 mm self-propelled mortar • Origin — Japan • Type — Mortar carrier • Is Ranged — yes • Is Artillery — yes • Is Vehicle — yes • Service — 1996 – present • Used By — Japan • Designer — Hitachi • Design Date — 1993 • Manufacturer — Hitachi/Howa • Production Date — 1996 • Number — 24 • Weight — 23.5 t • Length — 6.7 m • Width — 2.99 m • Height — 2.95 m • Crew — 5 • Caliber — 120 mm • Elevation — left: 45° right:45° • Armour — rolled homogeneous armour • Primary Armament — 1x MO-120-RT 120 mm mortar, made under license by Howa • Secondary Armament — 1x M2HB 12.7 mm machine gun • Engine — Mitsubishi 4ZF air-cooled V-type 4-cylinder diesel 300 horsepower • Engine Power — 300 hp • Suspension — torsion bar • Vehicle Range — 300 km • Speed — 50 km/h The Type 96 120 mm self-propelled mortar is a tracked armored mortar carrier that has been in service with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) since 1996. The official abbreviation for the vehicle is 120MSP and the common name is Jisou RT or Jisou 120 mota in JGSDF. It is nicknamed God Hammer. Its chassis is based on the Type 73 armored personnel carrier and fields a licensed domestically produced version of the Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1.

Type 96 is classified as a 120 mm mortar or mortar carrier. Associated with Japan.