Lithuanian Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis announced on 22 November that the country plans to acquire L-ATV combat multi-role vehicles from the USA. According to Leta.lv citing the Lithuanian Defense Minister, it is anticipated that the L-ATV (JLTV) contract will be signed in 2020 and will cost $114 million (Euro 100 million).

Oshkosh Defense L-ATV, or JLTV, demonstrated at DVD 2018 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

“The (technical) specifications are being finalized now. We plan to move toward final decisions next year or in 2020,” the minister said. “About 100 million euros have been earmarked,” he added. A potential contract, announced on 22 November by Raimundas Karoblis, will be worth more than $114 million (Euro 100 million) and covers delivery of up to 200 Light Combat Tactical All-terrain Vehicles (L-ATV), or JLTV, from Oshkosh Defense.

The vehicles would be distributed across the Lithuanian Armed Forces to fill a shortage due to “normal wear and tear” of equipment and increased demand, the Defense Ministry has said. Currently, the Lithuanian Armed Forces use HMMWV and Toyota Land Cruiser 200 armored all-terrain vehicles.

The Oshkosh L-ATV/JLTV is a light combat multi-role vehicle which combines field-proven technologies, an advanced crew protection system that provides MRAP-level protection and expeditionary levels of mobility in a light-duty profile. Equipped with the Oshkosh TAK-4i intelligent independent suspension system*, this Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle delivers new levels of agility to safely traverse rugged terrain and compressed urban areas. The L-ATV can be fitted with a wide range of remote-controlled weapon stations or ring mount 7.62 or 12,7mm machine gun. The L-ATV’s Oshkosh roof mounted turret is capable of mounting either an M240 machine gun, a Mk.19 grenade launcher or, a BGM-71 TOW anti-tank guided missile, all of which can be operated either from the turret or remotely inside the cabin.