Lithuania received 50 JLTV armored vehicles

2 January, 2024 JLTV of the Armed Forces of Lithuania, December 2023. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania The Lithuanian Armed Forces received the fourth batch of American-made JLTV armored vehicles.

The equipment arrived in the country at the end of December 2023. This batch consisted of 50 units of army armored SUVs. This brings the total number of JLTVs in the Lithuanian military to 200.

Thus, Lithuania received all the armored vehicles ordered within the first contract. A certain number of these vehicles are armed with the CROWS remote weapon with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. The intention to purchase American JLTV vehicles was initially announced in 2017 when this model was ahead of nine other armored vehicles proposed for the national military during tests in Lithuania.

JLTV of the Armed Forces of Lithuania, December 2023.

Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania

Lithuania's application to purchase JLTV was filed in the United States in late February 2019. In August 2021, the Lithuanian military received the first batch of JLTV armored military SUVs manufactured by the American company Oshkosh Defence. The second batch of armored vehicles arrived in November 2022.

The third batch arrived in May 2023.

JLTV of the Armed Forces of Lithuania, December 2023. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania

In 2022, Lithuania had also contracted the purchase of an additional 300 JLTVs. Their delivery will begin in 2024.

Armored vehicles will be armed with M2 QCB 12.7mm heavy machine guns.

JLTV of the Armed Forces of Lithuania, December 2023. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania

The delivery of these additional JLTVs would bring the total number of these vehicles of the Lithuanian military to 500 units. The new equipment will significantly strengthen the current capabilities of the Lithuanian army, and increase the mobility, protection of personnel, and combat power of the military.

JLTV

Oshkosh Defense developed the JLTV light tactical armored vehicle to replace the HMMWV.

It provides better protection, mobility, and greater load capacity. The Oshkosh JLTV comes in a number of versions to meet various military needs. The modular design of armored vehicles allows them to quickly install a variety of weapons, communications, and other special equipment.

In addition to the United States, the militaries of other countries also use these armored vehicles.