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MS-06V Zaku Tank

Artillery mobile suit developed by Principality of Zeon field engineers.
Jenxi Seow Published 20 Jun 2025 Updated 20 Jun 2025
MS-06V Zaku Tank

The MS-06V Zaku Tank was an artillery mobile suit developed by Principality of Zeon field engineers during the One Year War.

The “MS” in the model code indicated it was a mobile suit, whilst the “06” denoted that it was part of the Zaku II series. The “V” suffix stood for “vehicle”, reflecting its hybrid nature combining mobile suit and tank elements.

History

As the One Year War dragged on, Zeon forces found themselves in desperate need of replacement mobile suits and other weaponry. Forced to salvage whatever they could, field workshops would often disassemble inoperable machines for use as replacement parts and cobble together new units from whatever was available in order to get more combat units to the field.

One product of this situation was the MS-06V Zaku Tank, which fused a MS-06F Zaku II mobile suit’s upper body, head and arms with the Magella Base drive base of an HT-01B Magella Attack tank. This pragmatic solution allowed Zeon forces to create functional combat units from damaged equipment that would otherwise be written off as total losses.

Zaku Tanks were prized commodities for Zeon field commanders who were starved for replacement mobile suits, and the machines were often employed as construction units for building bases and moving supplies. The versatility of the design made it valuable for both combat and support roles, particularly in situations where conventional mobile suits were unavailable.

One such variation was a construction unit used by Zeon forces stationed in Southeast Asia, which used the upper body of a MS-05B Zaku I and mounted a bulldozer blade and a pair of long manipulator arms for heavy lifting. This demonstrated the adaptability of the basic Zaku Tank concept to local requirements.

Zaku Tanks could also, if necessary, be outfitted with weapons and fielded as combat units. Their low profile and heavy armour made them effective defensive platforms, particularly in urban or rough terrain where their tracked mobility provided advantages over bipedal mobile suits.

Following the end of the One Year War, many captured Zaku Tanks were deployed at Earth Federation Forces bases across Earth, particularly at the Jaburo military headquarters in South America. The Federation found these units useful for base construction and heavy lifting tasks.

Zeon remnants in Africa continued to make use of the Zaku Tank as late as UC 0096, demonstrating the enduring utility of the design even decades after the original conflict.

Design

The MS-06V Zaku Tank represented an innovative approach to mobile suit design born from wartime necessity. The basic configuration mounted a Zaku torso, head and arms onto the hull of a Magella Attack tank, creating a stable artillery platform with mobile suit-level sensor capability and manual dexterity.

The tracked drive system provided excellent stability for artillery fire and allowed the unit to traverse rough terrain that might challenge conventional wheeled or hover vehicles. The caterpillar treads were driven by engine systems adapted from the original Magella Attack tank.

Since the Zaku Tanks were constructed to cater to local military needs, there were no single unified design and a variety of chassis and equipment existed. The most commonly known chassis utilised the upper torso from MS-06 Zaku II series, but torso from MS-05 Zaku I series were also used.

The power plant retained the Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor from the original Zaku components, though specific output ratings varied depending on the source mobile suit used in construction. This provided sufficient power for both propulsion and weapons systems.

Armaments

The Zaku Tank’s armament varied considerably depending on its intended role and available equipment, ranging from basic defensive weapons to heavy artillery systems.

3-barrel machine gun

The 3-barrel 35mm machine cannon was the original weapon for the Magella Attack Tank and was located in front of its tank platform against enemy infantry and light armoured vehicles and targets. This weapon provided basic defensive capability and anti-personnel support.

Shields

The mobile suit mounted two shields on its shoulders, providing enhanced protection for the upper torso. These shields were typically salvaged from damaged Zaku mobile suits and provided additional defensive capability beyond the tank hull’s armour.

Cannon

Optional fixed armaments included a cannon mounted on the backpack over the right shoulder. Various artillery pieces could be fitted depending on availability, ranging from 105mm to 180mm calibres. This provided the Zaku Tank with its primary long-range fire support capability.

Construction equipment

Zaku Tanks could be equipped with different types of claw arms for construction, heavy lifting, repairs or delicate works. They could also be used as bludgeoning weapons when necessary. A metallic and curved U blade could be installed at the front of Magella tank platform for pushing soil, sand, snow, rocks, rubbles or any other obstacles.

The Southeast Asia version featured a bulldozer blade attached to the front of the tank body and two manipulator arms mounted on the torso for heavy construction work. These modifications made the unit particularly effective for base construction and engineering tasks.

Optional weaponry

For variants of Zaku Tanks with normal arms and manipulators, they could utilise firearms normally used by the Zaku series such as the ZMP-50D 120mm machine gun, MMP-80 90mm machine gun, etc. to enhance its firepower.

Specialised backpacks from other Zaku models, such as the one from the MS-06K Zaku Cannon, could be optionally fitted for corresponding purposes, providing additional weapons mounting points and ammunition storage.

Known pilots

  • Eledor Massis
  • Kneeland LeSean

Variants

Several Zaku Tank variations were produced during and after the One Year War:

MS-06V Zaku Tank Cannon Type

The Cannon Type replaced the standard arms with manipulator arms and mounted a 180mm cannon on the backpack over the right shoulder. It could also carry two MMP-80 machine guns with 32-round clips.

MS-06V-6 Zaku Tank “Green Macaque”

The “Green Macaque” variant featured an 8-tube missile launcher mounted on the lower tank body and could be equipped with a crane mounted on the backpack for construction work.

MS-06V-8 Zaku Tank “Wild Boar”

The “Wild Boar” variant mounted a 3-barrel 33mm machine gun on the lower tank body and two 105mm machine guns on the left arm, making it more heavily armed than the standard version.

Behind the scenes

Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer for the MSV version. Yamane Kimitoshi designed the version seen in The 08th MS Team and Requiem for Vengeance, whilst Yasuo Ohtagaki created the Gundam Thunderbolt manga version.

The V-suffix on Zaku Tank’s model number MS-06V stands for “vehicle”. In Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team OVA, it features a variant of Zaku Tank that uses the head of the MS-05B Zaku I. However, it still uses the same MS-06V model number.

Appearances

See also