The Type 89 was designed with simplified operation and minimal number of parts due to the understanding that the complex structure and large number of parts were responsible for the often defective operation of the Type 64 rifle. įit and finish of the Type 89 was improved greatly over the Type 64 due to the use of forged aluminum, molded thermoset plastics and stamped steel manufacturing methods pioneered by the processes used to produce the AR-18 and Heckler & Koch G3 series rifle. Although the typical issue model is equipped with a fixed stock, a small number of the steel tubing folding stock version were produced for AFV crews and paratroopers. The fixed stock version of the rifle contains a storage space covered by a rubberized cap that may be accessed by pulling the cap away from the body for the rifle and rotating it in either direction. Also, due to the use of aluminum and thermoset plastic as opposed to the steel and wood construction of the Type 64 rifle, the speed with which a soldier could react to a threat was increased. One of the most advantageous features of the Type 89 rifle over the Type 64 was the ability to ease the load on the individual soldier in relation to the amount of ammunition that he could carry. Design JGSDF soldiers practice CQB tactics at the Yakima Training Center's combat training building, armed with Type 89s. In 2020, the Howa Type 20 was developed, and is planned to replace the Type 89 as Japan's service rifle. On December 6, 2019, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced that plans have started to eventually change the Type 89 to a new 5.56-based assault rifle. The HR-15 was the first version of the experimental rifle that would eventually become the Type 89, but was developed concurrently with the HR-10, HR-11 and HR-13 by 1989. After the data collected from the field testing stage of the AR-18 was examined, formal development of the next-generation assault rifle began with its designation as the HR-16 (HR1604). In order to determine the suitability of the rifle, it was issued in limited numbers to the Japan Self-Defense Forces for field testing purposes. ĭevelopment was handled primarily by Howa since it was already licensed to produce the AR-180 version of the Armalite AR-18 rifle for commercial purposes, and some of the Type 89's internal workings are the same as those of the AR-18 - the Type 89 uses the same short-stroke gas piston system with a rotating bolt as the AR-18, but not its dual recoil springs. In accordance with this, the Defense Agency began development on their next generation assault rifle to replace the 7.62×51mm Type 64 battle rifle after its 25-year span of service. The 5.56×45mm round ( SS109), first used in the M16 rifle, eventually became the standard of ammunition type for all NATO member assault rifles. However, over time, especially during the Vietnam War, the battle rifle's shortcomings became apparent, and ultimately, battle rifles began to be replaced with assault rifles, which fired intermediate cartridges, though they had a weaker effective range compared to battle rifles. Like most other nations, Japan began the Cold War with a battle rifle – the 7.62×51mm NATO Howa Type 64. The Type 20 is intended to supplement and eventually replace the Type 89. Small numbers of the Type 89's successor, the Howa Type 20, were purchased in 2020. It has remained Japan's principal service rifle since then. The Type 89 was introduced to replace the Howa Type 64 battle rifle in frontline units, entering service in 1989. It has never been exported outside Japan due to its strict Japanese Arms Export Ban. The Howa Type 89 Assault Rifle ( 89式小銃, hachi-kyū-shiki-shōjū), referred to as the Type 89 5.56mm Rifle ( 89式5.56mm小銃, hachi-kyū-shiki-go-ten-go-roku-miri-shōjū), is a Japanese assault rifle used by the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Japan Coast Guard's Special Security Team units, and the Special Assault Team. Iron sights optical sights can be placed with Weaver or Picatinny railing mount Defense Agency Technical Research and Development Instituteĩ16 mm (36.1 in), (670 mm (26.4 in) with Howa Type 89-F)ģ2 round detatchable UZI magazines (Type 89-C)
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