The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence has announced the arrival of over 150 new Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) from the United States. The JLTVs will be equipped with RBS 70 NG (MSHORAD) short-range air defense systems, which Lithuania purchased in July 2023. MSHORAD is Saab’s mobile air defence solution. The system consists of the Mobile Radar Unit based on the Giraffe 1X radar, the Mobile Firing Unit based on the RBS 70 NG, all connected with Saab’s GBAD C2. The order includes Mobile Firing Units, Mobile Radar Units, a Command- and Control (C2) System, a training package and the RBS 70 NG trainer. Saab will integrate MSHORAD into JLTV vehicles manufactured by American company Oshkosh before delivery to the customer.
Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas highlighted the importance of this acquisition, stating, “The modernization of the Lithuanian Armed Forces is advancing rapidly. The arrival of the new JLTVs this week underscores the close cooperation between Lithuanian and U.S. military forces. These armored vehicles will also serve as platforms for short-range air defense systems.”
In August 27, 2019 the U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Lithuania of five hundred JLTVs with support for an estimated cost of $170.8 million. Also included are Ballistic Kits Armor; Explosive Formed Protection Kit; Shot Detection Kits; M153 Common Remote Weapon Stations (CROWS); M2 QCB .50 CAL Machine Guns and other related elements of logistical. The first phase was completed last year with the delivery of 200 SUVs to the Lithuanian army. During the implementation of the second stage of acquisition, a total of 300 off-road vehicles of the US company “Oshkosh Defense” will be produced for the Lithuanian army. After the delivery of these additional JLTV all-terrain vehicles, the Lithuanian Army will have a total of 500 of them.
The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), known and marketed under Oshkosh development as the L-ATV (Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle), is a light utility/combat multi-role vehicle. The Oshkosh-developed JLTV was selected for acquisition under the US military’s Army-led Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program. In the very early stages of the program it was suggested that JLTV would replace the AM General High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) on a one-for-one basis. It is now suggested that the JLTV will partially replace the HMMWV. The JLTV was designed to deliver a level of protection comparable to that of heavier and less maneuverable Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) class designs, these having more protection from blast than up-armored HMMWVs which they were delivered to replace on deployed operations.
