# Howa Type 96

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The **Howa Type 96** [automatic grenade launcher](/source/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](/source/Howa) since 1996.

## History

With the need of a heavy fire support weapon in [Japan Self-Defense Forces](/source/Japan_Self-Defense_Forces) (JSDF) service aside from the use of the [Sumitomo Type 62 GPMG](/source/Sumitomo_NTK-62) and the [Sumitomo M2HB machine gun](/source/M2_Browning_machine_gun), Howa first created and produced the weapon in 1996.[4]

## Use

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.[1] It is seen as one of the main weapons mounted on the [Type 96 armored personnel carrier](/source/Type_96_armored_personnel_carrier).[4][5]

## Operational details

On the left side of the Type 96 is a feeding bay where the 40 mm grenades belt can be loaded onto the AGL.[6]

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.[7]

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](/source/Mk_19_grenade_launcher) equipped by the AAV7 amphibious vehicle operated by the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force. [7][8]

A variant with an additional sight was introduced in the 2011 [Fuji General Firepower Exercise](/source/Fuji_General_Firepower_Exercise). [7]

## See also

- [Comparison of automatic grenade launchers](/source/Comparison_of_automatic_grenade_launchers)

## References

1. ["96式 40mm自動てき弾銃"](http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/infantry/type96grenade-launcher/type96grenade-launcher.html) (in Japanese). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090106230736/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/infantry/type96grenade-launcher/type96grenade-launcher.html) 2009-01-06 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2009-01-13.

1. ["96式40mm自動てき(擲)弾銃"](https://web.archive.org/web/20091112154022/http://www15.tok2.com/home/lttom/military-powers_jgsdf/shokaki/40mm_granade/military-powers_granadeframe.html) (in Japanese). Archived from [the original](http://www15.tok2.com/home/lttom/military-powers_jgsdf/shokaki/40mm_granade/military-powers_granadeframe.html) on 2009-11-12. Retrieved 2009-11-04.

1. ["96式40ｍｍ自動てき弾銃"](https://www.howa.co.jp/products/firer/defense/product05.html). Retrieved May 27, 2024.

1. ["ja:96式装輪装甲車"](http://www.masdf.com/spec/land/japan/96apc.html) (in Japanese). Retrieved 2009-01-13.

1. ["９６式40mm自動てき弾銃"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080620064232/http://tag.vis.ne.jp/jsdf/soubi/jgsdf/96teki.html) (in Japanese). Archived from [the original](http://tag.vis.ne.jp/jsdf/soubi/jgsdf/96teki.html) on 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2009-01-27.

1. ["ja:９６式４０mm自動てき弾銃"](http://militaryroom.chips.jp/newpage39.html) (in Japanese). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110722084034/http://militaryroom.chips.jp/newpage39.html) 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2009-01-13.

1. 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

1. 自衛隊装備年鑑 2006-2007 朝雲新聞社 P43 ISBN 4-7509-1026-0

## External links

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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Howa Type 96](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howa_Type_96) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howa_Type_96?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.