TSAMTO, August 19. The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on the demonstration ceremony of the first batch of JLTV light armored vehicles with a 4x4 wheel formula, purchased in the United States, held on August 17 at the location of the Iron Wolf motorized rifle brigade in Rukla.
The equipment was delivered separately from the combat modules. As planned, the combat modules will be installed in the near future.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of National Defense Margiris Abukevicius and US Ambassador to Lithuania Robert Gilchrist.
The first batch of 50 JLTV BBMs was delivered from the USA to Germany by sea, and then transported to Lithuania by car carriers. The first JLTVs were transferred to the training units in Rukla and Kazlu-Rud for the training of personnel. At the moment, several dozen drivers and 15 technical personnel have been fully trained.
As reported by TSAMTO, in August 2019, the US State Department approved the potential supply of 500 JLTV light armored vehicles with a 4x4 wheel formula, unified remotely controlled M153 CROWS weapons modules, 12.7 mm M2 QCB machine guns, Boomerang kits for determining the source of fire, as well as other equipment and services worth up to $ 170.8 million to Lithuania under the Foreign Military Sales program.
The Agency for the Acquisition of Defense Products under the Ministry of National Defense of Lithuania and the US Department of Defense signed a letter with a proposal and acceptance of an offer for the supply of 200 JLTV BBM with a 4x4 wheel formula in November 2019. The agreement includes the supply of equipment and auxiliary equipment, spare parts, weapons, training of personnel and maintenance, transportation and assembly. The cost of the sale was not disclosed, but earlier the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that in 2020-2024 it will allocate about 145 million euros for the purchase of JLTV BBM, equipment and weapons, spare parts, maintenance of equipment, training of personnel, etc. The new vehicles are designed to equip the "Iron Wolf" and "Gryphon" brigades of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
The first contract providing for the supply of JLTV BBM for the Lithuanian Armed Forces was signed by the US Department of Defense with Oshkosh Defense in February 2020. As planned, the delivery will be fully completed by 2024.
The acquisition of the JLTV BBM is part of the Lithuanian Armed Forces modernization program, which also includes the purchase of Vilkas (Boxer) infantry fighting vehicles and PZH-2000 self-propelled howitzers.
