Players picking up the Type 99 right after the Type 75 SPH will notice a particularly long cannon extending over the hull length. This defining characteristic earns the Type 99 the nickname "Long Nose," and this cannon defines how Type 99 will be used as players must come to terms with the explosive arsenal available with the Type 99 at the expense of armor protection. However, with the proper knowledge of properly employing the Type 99 on the battlefield, such a deficit should not be of high concern.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Excellent shell velocity for a self-propelled howitzer | Limited ballistic protection |
| 7.5 second reload speed with autoloader | Large size makes it difficult to hide and conceal |
| Large crew compartment makes it likely to survive a hit | Despite the size, small crew count |
Survivability
Instead of opting for NATO SPHs, the JGSDF initiated plans to develop a domestic SPH, creating the Type 99. The most distinctive feature of the Type 99 is its notably long 155 mm L/52 howitzer, contrasting with the short chassis based on the Type 89 IFV. This characteristic earned it the nickname "Long Nose." However, this length poses a challenge as it makes the Type 99 easily identifiable on the battlefield. With an overall length, including the barrel, measuring 11.3 m, it cannot move unnoticed unless enemies are overly focused on a specific area. The overall protection comprises 20 mm RHA plates for the chassis and turret. This means that any .50 caliber heavy machine gun won't struggle to target the crews within 300 m, let alone autocannons at even longer ranges. Taking cover and staying behind the frontline is advisable to prolong its survival. Extra caution is needed to conceal the rear of the turret, as the last thing commanders want is to witness the detonation of the 30 shells and charges located directly behind it, creating a significant explosion.
Equipped with a mechanized loader, the Type 99 operates with a smaller crew than NATO/Warsaw Pact SPHs, numbering only four individuals. While the SPH is relatively spacious, the driver and assistant loader are rather spread out, while the gunner and commander are squeezed together, making for an easy collateral knock-out. This crew composition usually requires at least two well-placed AP shots frontally or one side-on, hitting all three turret crew in a single shot. Other possibilities of one-shots are by overpressure, a sensitive APHE fused shell into the turret, or the ammo rack.
Mobility
As the hull was developed from Mitsubishi's Type 89 IFV with an extended length, the Type 99 retained the identical 6SY31WA V8 engine and transmission. While the 50 km/h speed and 12.1 hp/t ratio might not seem particularly impressive, it offers a -30 km/h reverse speed for a quick retreat.
Armament
To align with the late Cold War trend of self-propelled howitzers featuring long barrels, the Type 99 is equipped with a domestic 155 mm L/52 howitzer by JSW. The gun system boasts 30 shells in storage with an autoloader, enabling a firing rate of one shot every 7.5 seconds. Although not as rapid as the Bkan 1C at 3.2 seconds, this rate is more than sufficient for engaging tanks at its tier, which typically have longer reload times. The ballistics remain relatively straight due to its impressive 940 m/s velocity, facilitating easier long-range engagements. An area where the Type 99 excels is a supporting role.
However, caution is advised to avoid overextension, especially with the barrel exposed behind cover, as this may lead to the gun's disablement and, eventually, the Type 99 itself.
Usage in Battles
With a very high shell velocity of 940 m/s but low armor and a high profile, the Type 99 155 mm should be played as either a sniping vehicle or an anti-air vehicle. With the L15A2 high explosive shells, which have an explosive mass of 14.8 kg of TNT, it can destroy every vehicle at its rank and higher with a well-placed shot between the hull and the turret (Even the Maus or the Object 279 heavy tanks). The Type 99 155 mm hull also has a large empty spot without any important modules, meaning that some enemy shells will go through the hull without activating their explosive fuses, causing little to no damage. The bane of your existence is autocannon-equipped light tanks and SPAAGs, as well as vehicles that fire chemical rounds, as a single hit can cause overpressure damage and detonate your ammunition. Avoid being hit by artillery at any cost, as the chance of getting hit by artillery is much higher than that of other tanks due to their very large profile.
Since the HE shells don't have a tracer mark while firing, shooting at an enemy group from a long distance while staying near cover is the best way to go to not be seen. The Type 99's engine has a very good backward speed of 31 km/h (RB), meaning that if a situation becomes too hot, shooting a smoke shell at the ground while driving backward is a possible way to retreat out of a dangerous situation quickly. Alternately, the Type 99 can be played as an excellent anti-air vehicle to shoot down planes or helicopters nearby or from a long distance. The even faster reload of only 7.5 seconds (from its predecessor Type 75 SPH with its 10 seconds reload), which also stays the same when its loader gets knocked out - thanks to its autoloader and a very fast shell velocity for a caliber of 155 mm - can make it very deadly for enemies in the sky. M107 (PF) is generally a lacking shell for AA duties due to its lack of velocity on even the VIDAR, but the 940 m/s firing velocity of the Type 99 truly makes the destructive potential of this shell apparent. With one of the fastest howitzer reloads behind only the turretless Bandkanon and that high velocity, sniping aircraft has never been easier in a howitzer! It is also to be noted that proximity shells also have some minor uses against open-topped vehicles, as the overpressure damage will generally one-shot your enemies. If you see a M56 or SU-100P hiding in a trench or near a rock, and your normal HE is struggling to actually hit them, a proximity shell can and will send them right back to the hangar, so keep this in the back of your head for added versatility.
The engine compartment is also frontally placed and separated by a 5 mm steel plate from the rest of the crew, meaning that when the frontal hull gets hit, the engine can soak up most if not all of the damage that could have been. Leaving the rest of the components and the crew itself unharmed. One of the major downsides of the Type 99 is the very lackluster gun depression of only -2 degrees, which can cause noticeable issues on hilly or bumpy terrain. This is a problem that the Type 99 encounters often, as purely flat maps are rare and you often find yourself in situations where even the Type 75 SPH's -5 degrees would have sufficed to lob a shell at an enemy. Things you can do to mitigate these problems would be to avoid high inclined surfaces but also to reverse up hills to use your good gun elevation instead, although do keep in mind that a shot into your turret roof could be fatal. Overall, the Type 99 trades some noticeable strengths for some just-as-noticeable weaknesses, and is a versatile addition that doubles as a reliable anti-aircraft vehicle with plenty of shells to fling at tanks after.
