{{Infobox weapon | name = Howa Type 96 | image = Type96 40mm Automatic Grenad Gun.JPG | image_size = 300 | caption = Howa Type 96 AGL on display | origin = Japan | type = Automatic grenade launcher <!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged = yes | is_explosive = yes <!-- Service history -->| service = 1996–present | used_by = Japan | wars = <!-- Production history --> | designer = Howa<ref name="Type 96">{{cite web|url=http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/infantry/type96grenade-launcher/type96grenade-launcher.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106230736/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/infantry/type96grenade-launcher/type96grenade-launcher.html|title=96式 40mm自動てき弾銃|language=Japanese|accessdate=2009-01-13|archivedate=2009-01-06}}</ref> | design_date = | manufacturer = Howa | unit_cost = | production_date = 1996–present | number = | variants = <!-- General specifications --> | spec_label = | weight = 24.5 kg<ref name="Type 96"/> | length = 975 mm<ref name="MP">{{cite web|url=http://www15.tok2.com/home/lttom/military-powers_jgsdf/shokaki/40mm_granade/military-powers_granadeframe.html|title=96式40mm自動てき(擲)弾銃|language=Japanese|accessdate=2009-11-04|archive-date=2009-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112154022/http://www15.tok2.com/home/lttom/military-powers_jgsdf/shokaki/40mm_granade/military-powers_granadeframe.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> | part_length = 454 mm<ref name="MP"/> | width = | height = | diameter = | crew = <!-- Ranged weapon specifications --> | cartridge = 40×56mm<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.howa.co.jp/products/firer/defense/product05.html|title=96式40ｍｍ自動てき弾銃|access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref> | caliber = 40 mm | barrels = | action = Blow forward | rate = 250-350 rpm<ref name="Type 96"/> | velocity = | range = | max_range = 1500 m | feed = 50-grenades belt | sights = Ladder <!-- Artillery specifications -->| breech = | recoil = | carriage = | elevation = | traverse = <!-- Explosive specifications --> | filling = | filling_weight = | detonation = | yield = }}

The {{Nihongo|'''Howa Type 96''' automatic grenade launcher (AGL)|96式40mm自動てき弾銃|96-shiki 40-miri jidōtekidanjū}} is a Japanese automatic grenade launcher made by Howa since 1996.

==History== With the need of a heavy fire support weapon in Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) service aside from the use of the Sumitomo Type 62 GPMG and the Sumitomo M2HB machine gun, Howa first created and produced the weapon in 1996.<ref name="History">{{cite web|url=http://www.masdf.com/spec/land/japan/96apc.html|script-title=ja:96式装輪装甲車|language=Japanese|accessdate=2009-01-13}}</ref>

==Use== [[File:９６式装輪装甲車 Ｈ２２観閲式13 06 036 装備 171.jpg|thumb|300px|left|The Type 96 AGL mounted on top of a Type 96 APC]]

The Howa Type 96 can be used by both infantry and armored vehicles, the former with a tripod and the latter by being placed on a weapon mount.<ref name="Type 96"/> It is seen as one of the main weapons mounted on the Type 96 armored personnel carrier.<ref name="History" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tag.vis.ne.jp/jsdf/soubi/jgsdf/96teki.html|title=９６式40mm自動てき弾銃|language=Japanese|accessdate=2009-01-27|archive-date=2008-06-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620064232/http://tag.vis.ne.jp/jsdf/soubi/jgsdf/96teki.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Operational details== On the left side of the Type 96 is a feeding bay where the 40&nbsp;mm grenades belt can be loaded onto the AGL.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://militaryroom.chips.jp/newpage39.html|script-title=ja:９６式４０mm自動てき弾銃|accessdate=2009-01-13|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722084034/http://militaryroom.chips.jp/newpage39.html|archivedate=2011-07-22|language=Japanese}}</ref>

It can be placed on a tripod mount on the ground if required and can also be used as an anti-personnel and anti-armoured vehicle grenade by attaching a tripod mount. It uses a belt-linked feeding system and has single- and continuous-fire capabilities. For automatic reloading, a blow-forward system is used, in which the barrel is moved back and forth and loaded, rather than by a loose bottom.<ref name="spearhead11">96式自動てき弾銃 荒木雅也 スピアヘッドNo.11 P80-85 アルゴノート社</ref>

Ammunition is supplied from a magazine on the left side of the barrel. The type of ammunition used is Daikin Industries 40x56mm "40 mm anti-personnel and light armour-piercing round" (ammunition length 112 mm, weight 371 g), a multi-purpose grenade with moulded explosive. In addition, a '40 mm training round' is also available. It is not interchangeable with the 40x53 mm Mk 19 grenade launcher equipped by the AAV7 amphibious vehicle operated by the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force. <ref name="spearhead11" /><ref>自衛隊装備年鑑 2006-2007 朝雲新聞社 P43 {{ISBN|4-7509-1026-0}}</ref>

A variant with an additional sight was introduced in the 2011 {{ill|Fuji General Firepower Exercise|ja|富士総合火力演習}}. <ref name="spearhead11" />

==See also== *Comparison of automatic grenade launchers

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Howa Type 96}}

* [https://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/equipment/index.html#/detail/0/0_20/ Official JGSDF Page] * [https://www.howa.co.jp/products/firer/defense/product05.html Official HOWA Page]

{{Blow forward firearms}}

Category:Blow forward firearms Category:Post–Cold War weapons of Japan Category:Automatic grenade launchers Category:Autocannon Category:40 mm artillery Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s