Lithuania orders additional light tactical vehicles from US
The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence has signed a contract to purchase 300 additional joint light tactical vehicles (JLTVs) from the US.
The agreement follows a 2019 letter of offer and acceptance for 200 vehicles, including spare parts, personnel training, sustainment, equipment, and weapons.
Under the new contract, the added vehicles will be delivered from 2023 to 2024.
“The additional procurement of 300 items of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle from the US is one of the most important steps in the process of modernization of the Lithuanian Armed Forces,” Lithuanian National Defence Minister Arvydas Anušauskas said.
The first shipment of 50 JLTVs arrived in Lithuania in 2022 and is now in service with the Lithuanian military. The next batch of 50 is expected to be delivered later this year.
The vehicles will be assigned to the Iron Wolf and Griffin Brigades of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the national Rapid Response Force, depending on the order of priority.
Contributing to Eastern NATO Security
US-based Oshkosh Defense is manufacturing the advanced all-terrain JLTVs.
Each unit will be integrated with additional turrets and 12.7-millimeter M2 QCB machine guns, and have the capacity for up to five crew members.
The vehicles are expected to bolster the armed forces’ mobility, protection, and combat capabilities. The armored fleet will also improve interoperability between US and Lithuanian troops.
“Our military cooperation with the United States is expanding and we are capable of contributing to the security of the eastern flank of NATO together,” the minister explained.
“This sends a strong signal to our Allies that Lithuania not only assists Ukraine in its struggle with everything we have but also takes care to invest in its own defence and the defence of the whole Alliance.”
