Lithuania has completed the delivery of 500 US-produced Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) under a 2019 foreign military sales agreement with Washington. The government confirmed the milestone after taking receipt of the final two vehicles in mid-February from Oshkosh Defense.
With the entire fleet now operational, Lithuania becomes the largest JLTV user outside the United States. Deliveries were executed in two batches, beginning with 200 vehicles and followed by an additional 300.
NATO-Focused Modernization
The development coincides with plans by Vilnius to raise defense expenditure from 5 to 6 percent of GDP between 2026 and 2030. The funding boost supports broader efforts to establish a fully capable national division aligned with NATO standards amid heightened security concerns along Europe’s eastern flank.
About the JLTV
Measuring 21 feet (6 meters) in length, the JLTV was designed to replace the US military’s long-serving High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (Humvee). The 4×4 platform can carry payloads of up to 5,100 pounds (2,313 kilograms) and accommodate five personnel.
Powered by a 400-horsepower Gale Banks Engine derived from the General Motors Duramax V8 and paired with an Allison six-speed automatic transmission, the vehicle offers a range of 300 miles (483 kilometers) and a maximum speed of 70 miles (113 kilometers) per hour.
Depending on mission requirements, the JLTV can be configured with varying armor packages and weapons systems, including machine guns, automatic grenade launchers, and anti-tank missiles.
