Israel to buy 3,250 JLTVs in $1.98bn US Foreign Military Sale to replace Humvee fleet.

The United States has authorized a possible $1.98 billion Foreign Military Sale allowing Israel to acquire 3,250 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and associated systems.

On January 30, 2026, the United States approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Israel covering 3,250 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) and related equipment, with an estimated value of $1.98 billion. The vehicles are intended to replace part of the Israel Defense Forces' light tactical fleet, including a large number of Humvees.
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The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) was developed to address shortcomings in protection, payload, and durability identified during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and by mid-2023, more than 20,000 JLTVs had been manufactured. (Picture source: U.S. Army)

The request covers 3,250 JLTVs distributed across four mission variants: the JLTV Utility (M1279A1/A2/A3) is a two-door configuration intended for cargo movement, logistics support, and carriage of mission equipment, while the JLTV Heavy Guns Carrier (M1278A1/A2/A3) is a four-door configuration designed to carry heavier crew-served or remotely operated weapons for escort and fire support. The JLTV Close Combat Weapons Carrier (M1281A1/A2/A3) is configured to support close-combat missions requiring heavier weapon integration, and the JLTV General Purpose (M1280A1/A2/A3) provides a baseline four-door configuration adaptable through kits and integration to multiple roles.

The approved package extends beyond vehicles to include equipment and services required for fielding at scale. Included items are Common Remotely Operated Weapon Stations, M1289 JLTV cargo trailers, mission kits, Objective Gunner Protection Kits, and Driver’s Vision Enhancement systems, alongside standard and non-standard command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance equipment. System-unique integration is included to connect weapons, sensors, radios, displays, and power management to Israeli configurations. Sustainment and training elements cover spare and repair parts, special tools and test equipment, technical manuals, maintenance trainers, new equipment training, total package fielding support, depot-level maintenance and repair, and U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics assistance over multiple years. The FMS identifies AM General LLC as the principal contractor, and the program execution anticipates the assignment of up to 15 additional U.S. government personnel and 20 contractor representatives to Israel for periods of up to six years to support fielding, training, and logistics.

The authorization builds on earlier, smaller-scale transfers of JLTVs to Israel that began in late 2023, when an initial batch of 75 vehicles was transferred through U.S. channels to meet urgent operational needs. Additional vehicles were acquired through direct commercial mechanisms, and by November 2024, some JLTVs were in Israeli service. Those early deliveries occurred alongside transfers of other equipment, including precision-guided munitions, artillery ammunition, night-vision devices, and bunker-buster weapons, reflecting a broader flow of military assistance. Within Israel, the JLTV is intended to replace a portion of the existing light tactical vehicle fleet, notably the Humvee, of which the Israel Defense Forces operate more than 2,000. Armored cabins for JLTVs destined for Israel may involve Plasan North America, a U.S.-based subsidiary of Israel’s Plasan, which has supplied armor components to the JLTV program for several years using a pre-assembled approach.

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) was developed to replace a portion of the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, or Humvee) fleet by addressing shortcomings in protection, payload, and durability identified during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its design combines a blast-resistant hull with energy-absorbing floors, seats, and restraint systems intended to reduce crew injury from mines and improvised explosive devices. Protection is based on a modular A-kit and B-kit armor architecture, allowing vehicles to be fielded with baseline protection and upgraded when threat levels increase. The JLTV is smaller and lighter than mine-resistant MRAP vehicles while offering significantly higher protection than up-armored Humvees. An independent suspension system supports mobility across paved roads, urban terrain, and rough off-road environments. The JLTV is intended to balance survivability, mobility, and payload within a single light tactical vehicle family.

The JLTV is powered by a 6.6-liter turbocharged diesel engine delivering about 400 horsepower, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This configuration enables a maximum road speed of about 110 kilometers per hour and an operational range of roughly 480 kilometers, depending on load and mission profile. Gross vehicle weight is approximately 10,200 kilograms, with payload capacity varying by variant between roughly 1,600 and 2,300 kilograms. The vehicle uses an independent TAK-4i suspension system that allows adjustable ride height and extended wheel travel to maintain mobility under heavy loads. Armament options include 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine guns, automatic grenade launchers, and anti-armor weapons, fitted either on manned mounts or remotely operated weapon stations. Electrical architecture supports integration of radios, sensors, and battlefield management systems.

The JLTV entered service with U.S. forces in 2019 following selection under the Army-led program, and production exceeded 20,000 units by mid-2023. The family includes multiple standardized variants covering utility, general purpose, heavy weapons carriage, and close-combat roles, all sharing common automotive and protection systems. Production has transitioned from Oshkosh to AM General for later standards, while maintaining compatibility across the fleet. In parallel, technology demonstrators such as hybrid-electric versions and unmanned adaptations have been developed to explore reduced fuel consumption and remote operation. International adoption has expanded to several allied countries, including Belgium, Brazil, Lithuania, and Romania, each integrating the vehicle according to national requirements.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.