Tank origin

While working on the successor to its Type 61 main battle tank, Japan produced several prototypes with designations from STB-1 to STB-6 and considered such possible features as an autoloader and a remote-controlled anti-aircraft machine gun. Although many of these features were rejected, the final design did incorporate the hydropneumatic suspension and 105mm L7 gun first explored on the STB-1. Production of the vehicle, named the Type 74 after its year of acceptance, began in 1975.