Editing M2 Browning (section)

===Japanese Usage ===
==== Use by the Imperial Japanese Military ==== 
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During the [[Pacific War]], the Empire of Japan, engaged in combat with the United States, made extensive use of M2 Browning-style machine guns and their modified versions, including fixed and swivel-mounted aircraft guns, primarily by the Imperial Army's air forces.

[[File:Type-97 ho-103 ho-05 cannon.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Foreground: Type 97 Ho-5 20mm Fixed Aircraft Cannon, Center: Type 103 Ho-103 12.7mm Fixed Aircraft Cannon (Stored at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum)]]

* [[Ho-103 machine gun|Ho-103]]: The [[Imperial Japanese Army]] adopted the Type 103 (Ishiki Jūni-7mm Kōkū Kikō) machine gun, a modified version of the AN/M2 (MG53-2) aircraft-mounted variant of the M2 Browning, changing the caliber to [[12.7x81mmSR]] to match the Breda SAFAT 12.7mm heavy machine gun’s standard. This weapon was widely equipped on Army fighter planes, including the early to mid-period Pacific War aircraft like the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. Compared to the M2, the Ho-103 was smaller, lighter, and had a higher rate of fire, but its reduced projectile weight meant it had lower power and muzzle velocity (though it could fire high-explosive “Ma-dan” shells, a feature the M2 lacked). While the M2 was relatively large and heavy for an aircraft gun, the Ho-103 succeeded in keeping weight down.

* [[Ho-5 cannon|Ho-5]]: The Army also pursued the development of a higher-powered 20mm cannon, which led to the creation of the Ho-5 (Type 2 20mm Fixed Aircraft Cannon), a 20mm version based on the Ho-103 design. The Ho-5 was equipped on later-stage Army fighters such as the Kawanishi N1K-J Shiden. The Ho-5 was nearly the same size and weight as the M2, despite its larger caliber, and offered excellent rate of fire, muzzle velocity, and devastating power.

* [[Type 3 aircraft machine gun|Type 3 13mm Fixed Machine Gun]]: The [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] also adopted a variant based on the M2, the Type 3 13mm Fixed Machine Gun, which used a 13mm cartridge (13.2x96mm) and the barrel of the Type 93 13mm heavy machine gun from the Hotchkiss family. This was mounted on a small number of Navy fighter planes, such as the A6M5b Zero, which appeared in the late stages of World War II. While the Type 3 had similar size and weight to the M2, it had superior rate of fire and a heavier bullet, giving it higher firepower per shot. However, its muzzle velocity was lower compared to the M2.

==== Post-World War II Use ==== 
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{{Multiple image
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 |image1 = １２．７ｍｍ重機関銃Ｍ２24.08.10 ４９ｉ・１２．７ミリ重機関銃射撃２４．８．１０撮影（対空射撃 佐多） 装備 42.jpg
 |caption1 = JGSDF soldiers firing 12.7mm Heavy Machine M2 with M63 tripod for Anti-Air purposes
 |image2 = １２．７ｍｍ重機関銃Ｍ２24.10.20 ３０ｉ・平成24年度 ＨＭＧ対空実射訓練（青森・六ヶ所） 撮影・廣瀬 (120) R 装備 101.jpg
 |caption2 = another side of view of JGSDF firing M2
 |image3 = JGSDF Browning .50 Caliber Machine Gun 20140420-01.jpg
 |caption3 = M2 mounted on a [[:ja:82式指揮通信車|Type 82 command and communication vehicle]] belonging to the [[:ja:第6高射特科大隊| JGSDF 6th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion]]
}}
After World War II, as Japan began rearming, the M2 was initially supplied by the United States. In addition to these supplied units, [[Sumitomo Heavy Industries]] began license production at its Tanashi factory in 1984.

In the [[Japan Self-Defense Forces]], the 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun M2 (12.7mm重機関銃M2) is primarily used in vehicles such as tanks, self-propelled guns, and armored vehicles, as well as for anti-aircraft purposes. New procurement includes approximately 80 units annually, and the M3 mount is compatible with the [[Howa Type 96|Type 96 40mm automatic grenade launcher]]. When deployed on the ground as anti-aircraft weapons, the M63 anti-aircraft mount is used. The procurement price is approximately ¥5.3 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rikuzi-chousadan.com/soubihin/zyuukaki/m2.html|title= 12.7mm重機関銃 M2|access-date=Jan 14, 2025}}</ref>

The [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] initially equipped early destroyers and patrol vessels with several M2 machine guns. However, these were eventually phased out due to concerns over their insufficient power and short range. In response to [[:ja:不審船事件|incidents involving North Korean suspicious ships]], the M2 machine guns were reintroduced on some vessels as more appropriate firepower for engaging small targets. The M2 is not considered a standard weapon on ships but is treated as an installed weapon (see [[:ja:海上自衛隊の個人装備]])

The [[Japan Air Self-Defense Force]] also used the M2 machine gun in the M55 trailer-mounted anti-aircraft gun for base defense purposes. However, with the introduction of newer systems like the VADS, the M2 is no longer in active combat use and is stored as a reserve.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://report.jbaudit.go.jp/org/h22/2010-h22-0617-0.htm|title=訓練用の１２．７ｍｍ普通弾及び１２．７ｍｍえい光弾を使用した射撃訓練をより円滑に実施することなどについて検討することにより、航空自衛隊において長期にわたり保有されたままとなっているこれらの弾薬の有効活用を図るよう是正改善の処置を求めたもの|access-date=Jan 14, 2025}}</ref>

The [[Japan Coast Guard]] has also used the M2 since its inception, referring to it as the [[:ja:海上保安庁の装備品一覧#船艇搭載銃砲|13mm Machine Gun]] and equipping many patrol boats with it. The weapon is still in use on patrol ships and boats today.

In December 2013, Sumitomo Heavy Industries was found to have falsified test data for at least 5,000 units of various machine guns, including the [[5.56mm Machine Gun MINIMI]], [[:ja:74式車載7.62mm機関銃|Type 74 Vehicle Mounted 7.62mm Machine Gun]] and the M2HB, and was placed under a five-month suspension.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.jiji.com/jc/zc?k=201312/2013121800775|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20131222050009/http://www.jiji.com/jc/zc?k=201312/2013121800775|title=住友重機を指名停止＝機関銃の試験データ改ざん－防衛省|language=|publisher=[[:ja:時事ドットコム]]|date=2013-12-18|archivedate=2013-12-22}}</ref>

In April 2021, Sumitomo Heavy Industries announced it would cease production of machine guns, although it intends to continue manufacturing parts for maintenance and repairs.<ref>{{Cite news |title=住重、5.56㎜機関銃 開発撤退 予算制約から発注量減 |newspaper=日刊工業新聞 |date=2021-04-16| url=https://www.nikkan.co.jp/articles/view/00595405?isReadConfirmed=true |accessdate=2021-04-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-15|url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/422914 |title=スクープ！住友重機械が機関銃生産から撤退へ |publisher=東洋経済オンライン |accessdate=2021-04-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=住友重機械、機関銃生産から撤退 |newspaper=日本経済新聞 |date=2021-04-15 | url=https://www.nikkei.com/nkd/industry/article/?DisplayType=1&n_m_code=031&ng=DGXZQOUC159YT0V10C21A4000000 |accessdate=2021-04-16}}</ref>