At the end of March, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that Israel will receive a new shipment of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) from the American company Oshkosh Defense. This news came in connection with the visit of Major General in reserve Eyal Zamir, the Director-General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, to the United States. The JLTV vehicles are set to replace the Humvees currently used by the Israeli army.
During this visit, Major General Zamir, along with Brigadier General Michel Ben Baruch, toured a logistics center where they viewed several potential military acquisitions, including the JLTV vehicles. The planned delivery of JLTV vehicles is part of a broader agreement that states the United States increased its military support to Israel following the conflict with Hamas militants on October 7, 2023. This support includes a wide range of military equipment, such as laser-guided missiles, artillery shells, night vision devices, and bunker-busting ammunition, with a significant part of this package being the requirement for 75 JLTV vehicles.
The inclusion of JLTV vehicles in the military aid package to Israel will significantly modernize the Israeli Defense Forces‘ (IDF) vehicle fleet, as these vehicles could potentially replace over 2,000 currently used Humvees. This development reflects a trend in the military forces of many countries around the world that are seeking to increase their mobility and capabilities through increased purchases of JLTV vehicles. The JLTV vehicle, manufactured by Oshkosh Defense, has been ordered by the U.S. armed forces and countries such as Belgium, Brazil, Lithuania, and Romania. By June 2, 2023, the production of JLTV reached 20,000 units.
A notable aspect of the Israeli transaction is the potential involvement of Plasan North America (PNA) in the production of armored cabins for JLTV vehicles. On July 17, 2023, PNA, a subsidiary of the Israeli company Plasan, was announced as a subcontractor for the JLTV program. Plasan has been associated with the program for seven years and has contributed its „kitted hull“ concept, which offers a pre-assembled protected cabin for the vehicle, an innovation that has proven effective in military conditions, such as in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The JLTV program, initiated to meet the requirement for a vehicle with better survivability and mission capability than the HMMWV vehicle (a vehicle that has been an integral part of the U.S. military since 1984 and is also widely used by the IDF), aims to offer better protection and mobility. It is equipped with a V-shaped hull that deflects blasts, armored protection, and an adjustable suspension system for various terrains. The program has led to the development of several variants to support different military roles and tasks, such as reconnaissance, command and control, and medical evacuation.
The JLTV vehicle is equipped with configurable armor to meet specific requirements, with an A-kit/B-kit arrangement for protection. Its armament includes a range of light and medium caliber weapons, with the option to mount automatic grenade launchers or anti-tank guided weapons. The vehicle is powered by a Gale Banks Engineering 866T 6.6-liter turbocharged diesel engine based on the GM Duramax civilian architecture, coupled with an Allison 2500SP six-speed automatic transmission. The chassis utilizes the Oshkosh TAK-4i independent suspension system. The JLTV has an operational range of up to 480 km and can reach a maximum speed of 110 km/h.
Furthermore, this vehicle has been used as the basis for several other models, including the eJLTV, a hybrid electric version, and two unmanned vehicles developed for the U.S. Marine Corps, the Long Range Fires Launcher (LRFL) and NMESIS, which are intended to serve as ground-based Tomahawk missile launchers.
In conclusion, the acquisition of JLTV vehicles by Israel represents a significant step towards modernizing its military capabilities. The partnership with Oshkosh Defense and the involvement of Plasan North America in the production process highlight the collaborative efforts to enhance the IDF’s operational effectiveness and protection. The JLTV’s advanced features and versatility make it a valuable asset for meeting the evolving challenges faced by modern armed forces.