Type 97 57 mm tank gun

The Type 97 57 mm tank gun was originally the main armament of the Imperial Japanese Army Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank during the Second World War.

The gun was a short barrelled weapon with a relatively low muzzle velocity, which was sufficient for supporting the infantry.

However, in 1939 during the Battles of Khalkhin Gol (Nomonhan) against Soviet BT Tanks, the gun proved to be insufficient against the Soviet armor, causing the Japanese Army to have heavy tank losses.

From 1942 onwards, the Type 97 tanks were armed with the high velocity Type 1 47 mm tank gun in a new larger turret, and were designated the Type 97-Kai Shinhoto Chi-Ha.

[4] The Type 97 57 mm tank gun had the following specifications:[5]