Samurai's weapon: Japan's army is armed by soldiers with new rifles Howa Type 20
3 million) for the purchase of 8577 units of Type 20 as a successor to Type 89. The British information group Janes reported. The first samples were purchased in 2019, and it is expected that over time they will replace the Howa Type 89 in service. In 2020, the Defense Ministry reported that the Type 20 would be issued to the Amphibian Brigade of the rapid deployment of Japan's self -defense forces.
At the same time, the Howa Machinery CEO noted that Japan's foreign partners were also interested in this rifle. Military LEAK observers note that compared to Type 89 Type 20 has a better resistance to environmental influences, especially from corrosion from seawater, firing power and flexibility. "This is necessary because water resistance is important for carrying out amphibious operations in the southwestern Japan islands," experts write.
One of the key differences from Type 89 is adding several guide strips, making it the first Japanese rifle that has this function as a standard design. The rifle is compatible with the loud bayonet, and can also be equipped with a Beretta GLX-160 grenade launcher. The weight of the rifle is 3. 5 kg, the total length is from 780 to 850 mm depending on the extension of the example. The length of the barrel is 330 mm, that is, the rifle is shortened compared to the Type 89.
Type 20 is made according to the Ambidex Staff scheme - that is, the design makes it possible to fire from the left or right shoulder. It has a telescopic bed, a vertical front handle, a ambidexster fuse and a short piston automation. Another difference from Type 89 is that the lateral guides were extended, complex sighting gadgets have been added, and a shoulder lining appeared on the bed, similar to that used on HK416.