World of Tanks 1.23.1 - Type 68 - Historical references and stats

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Type 68 – Tier 9 Japanese heavy tank – WoT 1.23.1

The Type 68 is a regular Japanese heavy tank that will be available in the next update 1.23.1. It has automatic hydropneumatic suspension and gun cooling as its special mechanics.

Historical references

This tank has a fascinating history and design that dates back to the late 1950s. The FV4201, the first tank to be called a main battle tank, was taking shape at that time. The future Chieftain was a combination of the characteristics of a heavy and medium tank. The USA and Germany had a similar joint program – MBT70. Japanese designers, who had close contacts with the American side, were interested in this program. They were especially intrigued by the active hydropneumatic suspension, because it was an extremely useful addition for the local theater of war. The suspension could adjust the ground clearance and the vertical pointing angles of the gun. This gave the tank more flexibility and mobility in different terrains. The tank also had to combine a low silhouette, powerful armor protection and weapons. However, the command of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces had a different preference. They still prioritized tanks in the medium weight category of 35-40 tons. Moreover, the tank was too expensive to produce. Therefore, the Type 68 project never became a reality and remained on paper.