On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania announced the completion of deliveries from the United States of all 500 Oshkosh JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) / L-ATV (Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle) multi-role armored vehicles. As a result, Lithuania’s armed forces have become the largest export operator of the type worldwide – at least until Israel completes its planned procurement, the editors note.
Photos: the Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania
“We have completed a strategically important stage of strengthening the armed forces, which significantly contributes to the development of the national division and to deterrence. The Lithuanian Armed Forces currently operate 500 JLTV armored vehicles, characterized by a high level of crew protection and mobility. These armored vehicles are intended for reconnaissance, fire support, and command operations. Air defense remains our priority, therefore it is important that some of the vehicles are being integrated with the short-range RBS 70 NG air defense systems,” said Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas, emphasizing that this is also the result of a long-term and reliable partnership with the United States.
According to U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania Kara C. McDonald, after the Lithuanian Armed Forces received the final two of the 500 Oshkosh JLTV vehicles, Lithuania became the largest operator of the type outside the United States.
“This is a historic achievement that reflects both the excellence of American engineering and Lithuania’s strong commitment as one of NATO’s highest defense spenders. These vehicles will enhance Lithuania’s rapid response capabilities and further increase interoperability with allies. That is precisely why our bilateral partnership is so important. It is also an example of meaningful burden-sharing, once again reinforcing the strong ties between Lithuania and the United States,” the ambassador stated.
Under the base contract signed on November 21, 2019, valued at approximately 145 million EUR, 200 Oshkosh JLTV vehicles were ordered, with delivery initially scheduled by the end of 2023 (the timeline was accelerated from the original end-of-2024 schedule). The first batch of 50 vehicles was delivered to Lithuania on August 16, 2021, the second batch of 50 on November 23, 2022, the next in May 2023, and the final batch on December 30, 2023.
Under a second agreement (formally an amendment to the original contract) signed on October 18, 2020, an additional 300 vehicles were ordered. The first delivery under this agreement took place on March 14, 2024, the second on August 22 of the same year, and another on January 15, 2025.
Lithuanian vehicles are in the four-door Combat Tactical Vehicle (CTV) configuration, specifically the M1278A1 Heavy Guns Carrier variant. They are fitted with M153 CROWS remote weapon stations equipped with Mk 93 mounts for 12.7 mm M2 Browning M2 QCB (Quick Change Barrel) heavy machine guns, as well as FLIR Systems M230 TAC electro-optical sights.
The vehicles feature ballistic and mine protection, armored glass, Boomerang III acoustic shot detection systems, GPS navigation suites, Duramax Turbo diesel engines (formerly designated Banks 866T V8) paired with six-speed Allison Transmission gearboxes, and independent suspension. Additional equipment includes run-flat tire kits (with spares), winches, and towing kits.
At the end of December 2024, radios of an undisclosed type were ordered for the JLTV fleet from L3Harris Technologies.
As light patrol vehicles, the JLTVs are replacing the armored variants of AM General HMMWV and Toyota Land Cruiser 200 currently in service.
As noted, some of the vehicles will be configured to carry the Swedish short-range air defense system Saab MSHORAD (Mobile Short Range Air Defence), equipped with Giraffe 1X 3D radars, the GBAD C2 command-and-control system, and RBS 70 NG (New Generation) missiles.
In addition to Lithuania, the Oshkosh JLTV produced by Oshkosh Defense (alongside the upgraded JLTV A2 produced by AM General) has been selected by the United States (which last year announced a reduction of planned orders from 65,000 after receiving approximately 21,000), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Romania, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Brazil. In recent months, Mongolia, Uruguay, Canada, and Israel have also joined the list. In Israel’s case, procurement plans reportedly exceed 3,000 vehicles, which would make it the largest operator in the future, surpassing Lithuania. Potential future users may include the United Kingdom, Greece, Portugal, and Poland (which has expressed interest in acquiring 26 armored vehicles in the M1279A1 utility configuration, although this has not yet been confirmed). Australia and Japan have also considered procurement.
Lithuania has received the final batch of US-made JLTV armoured vehicles, bringing its fleet to 500, the largest in the world. Part of these modern vehicles are integrated with RBS70 NG air defence systems, strengthening our air defence & @LTU_Army national division development. pic.twitter.com/GHEmx593u1
— Lithuanian MOD 🇱🇹 (@Lithuanian_MoD) February 18, 2026
