Lithuania to spend around EUR 142 mln on new JLTVs

VILNIUS – Lithuania plans to spend around 142 million euros on the purchase and maintenance of new American joint light tactical vehicles, or JLTVs, the Ministry of National Defense said on Wednesday.

The funds would be allocated for 2020-2023, making it the second-largest acquisition in the history of Lithuania's army, following the purchase of Boxer armored fighting vehicles.

Lithuania plans to complete negotiation with the US government on the purchase of 200 JLTVs, produced by Oshkosh Defence, by 2020.

The Ministry of National Defense has already submitted JLTV acquisition applications to the US government, Deputy Minister of National Defense Giedrimas Jeglinskas informed Ellen Lord, the American under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, during his recent visit to Washington.

"In cooperation with the US government, Lithuania seeks to secure the most effective JLTV acquisition and maintenance conditions. These vehicles will bolster the Lithuanian army's mobility, personnel protection and combat power," Jeglinskas was quoted in the statement.

The new vehicles will complement and upgrade the Lithuanian army's fleet and will be distributed among various units of the Lithuanian army.

Currently, the Lithuanian army uses HMMWV and Toyota Land Cruiser 200 armored vehicles.