Type 93 surface-to-air missile

The Type 93 Surface-to-air missile (93式近距離地対空誘導弾, 93shiki-kinkyori-titaikū-yuūdōdan) or Kin-SAM is a surface-to-air missile used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. It is the vehicle-borne version of the Type 91 missile.^[1][2]

Type 93 SAM
Type 93 SAM on a Kōkidōsha
Type	Passive infrared homing missile
Place of origin	Japan
Service history
In service	1993–present
Used by	Japan
Production history
Designer	Toshiba Heavy Industries
Designed	1991
Manufacturer	Toshiba Heavy Industries
Specifications
Mass	11.5 kg
Length	1.43 m
Diameter	80 mm
Engine	Solid Rocket Motor
Guidance system	Infrared homing

It is known in JSDF ranks as the Closed Arrow.^[3]

Description

It was first deployed in 1993, due to a need to replace L-90 35mm Anti-Aircraft Twin Cannons in JGSDF service.^[2] It is typically deployed on a modified launcher BXD10 Kōkidōsha (military version Toyota Mega Cruiser) with a total of eight missiles ready to fire.^[2][4]

Operation

The Type 93 is a vast improvement over the L-90 as it has the ability to track down and shoot down enemy aircraft due to infrared homing.^[5]

See also

• Type 91 surface-to-air missile