Lithuania has finalized the acquisition of 500 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) from the United States, completing a procurement launched under a 2019 foreign military sales deal. The milestone was confirmed following the mid-February delivery of the last two units by Oshkosh Defense.
The Baltic nation now holds the distinction of being the largest JLTV operator outside the US. The vehicles were delivered in two separate consignments—200 units initially, followed by a second tranche of 300.
Strengthening NATO Integration
The expanded fleet arrives as Lithuania moves to increase defense spending to between 5 and 6 percent of GDP from 2026 to 2030. The funding is aimed at building a full-spectrum national division structured to meet NATO operational standards, particularly in response to growing tensions along Eastern Europe’s frontier.
Vehicle Capabilities
At 21 feet long, the JLTV serves as the successor to the widely used Humvee. Featuring a 4×4 drivetrain, it can transport up to five troops and carry a payload of 5,100 pounds (2,313 kilograms).
The vehicle is equipped with an Allison six-speed automatic transmission and a 400-horsepower Gale Banks Engine derived from the GM Duramax V8. It delivers a top speed of 70 miles (113 kilometers) per hour and a driving range of approximately 300 miles (483 kilometers).
To meet varied operational roles, the JLTV supports modular armor configurations and can be armed with systems such as machine guns, grenade launchers, or anti-tank missile systems.
