Mexico starts manufacturing light armored 4x4 vehicles.

The Mexican Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) has received the first 20 kits to start building armored vehicles. The kits were provided by IBN Industrias Miltares under a $333,940 deal.

Oshkosh Defense JLTV demonstrated at DVD 2018 in Millbrook (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The kits are the first in a series of armored vehicles based on the U.S. Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) produced by Oshkosh. They are meant to replace Mexico's DN-XI armored vehicle. The DN-XI was introduced in 2012 and Mexico eventually acquired about 100 of the vehicles. However, the domestically-built armored vehicles suffered from poor performance. In addition, the welded armor made them difficult to work on and upgrade. The new vehicle will have faster speeds and bolted-on armor will enable simpler maintenance and upgrades.

Once in service, the new vehicles will be used to combat organized crime, a major problem in Mexico. Incoming President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has vowed to fight organized crime, promising to increase the number of national police and soldiers by 50,000. Those soldiers and police officers will need vehicles in order to increase mobility and provide protection during operations.