It is also nicknamed by field officers as "Guntank" after the similar-looking mecha in the Mobile Suit Gundam series.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries had been eventually awarded the contract to produce a SPAAG unit to replace its old M42s.

Prior to its development, tests had begun underway in 1982 with a prototype SPAAG unit manufactured in 1983.

Tests showed the weight of the turret with the radar and fire control systems was too much and so later prototypes used a Type 74 chassis.

[2] This prototype differed from the production version by a lack of smoke grenade launchers and the ability to equip a Type 92 mine roller on the front.In 2010, it was reported that the Japan Self-Defense Forces had 52 of these vehicles in service.