Leader in the Field

author: FutureCar Staff    

Shephard Defence Insight reports that several European countries, including Belgium, Italy, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the UK, as well as Brazil, have signed deals or begun taking deliveries of the JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle). The JLTV is becoming an iconic vehicle, symbolizing the presence of US boots or those of its allies and customers. Despite being in production for less than a decade, it has gained significant traction.

Oshkosh, the manufacturer of the JLTV, won the first contract in 2015 when its Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle was selected. In June 2023, Oshkosh announced that it had built the 20,000th JLTV. The company faced competition from AM General and others when the US Army announced a recompete in October 2021. AM General, the maker of the original Humvee, was selected in February 2023 for a contract worth $8.66 billion.

Oshkosh has received several production contracts since its initial win in 2015. In November 2018, it received an order worth $1.69 billion for 6,107 JLTVs, along with equipment and subsystems. In November 2020, the company received a DoD contract worth $911 million, which included the production of 59 JLTVs for Brazil, Lithuania, and North Macedonia.

Brazil, the only customer outside the northern hemisphere, has ordered a dozen JLTVs for the Brazilian Marine Corps. The total value of the contract is $15.19 million, including an integrated logistics support package from Oshkosh. Slovakia has also ordered 160 JLTVs, with deliveries expected in 2025. Romania increased its order from 34 to 129 JLTVs in March 2023 to replace its Humvees. Lithuania, an enthusiastic customer, has ordered 200 JLTVs, with another 350 on the way.

The JLTV provides MRAP-level protection against IEDs and other battlefield threats. It has an armored capsule that can be modified to meet changing operational requirements. Oshkosh has demonstrated various configurations, including a C2 vehicle, a launcher for loitering munitions, and a mortar carrier. In addition, Oshkosh has developed a hybrid-electric JLTV, called eJLTV, which provides silent drive, extended silent watch, and exportable power.

After AM General was selected for the JLTV contract, Oshkosh lodged an appeal with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), but the objection was rejected. AM General's production line is expected to be ready soon, and the first JLTV is set to roll off it in the middle of next year. Oshkosh can continue selling JLTV A1 vehicles through FMS or direct commercial sale and has a backlog that calls for production through 2024.

FutureCar Staff