The US Begins The Delivery of JLTV Multi-Purpose Armored Vehicles To Israel
Last week, the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) announced on social media that the Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) ordered from US-based military vehicle manufacturer Oshkosh Defense for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were on their way to the country. The announcement came during a visit to the United States by Major General Eyal Zamir, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, and Brigadier General (Retired) Michel Ben Baruch.
According to a statement issued by the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the purpose of the visit was to discuss the continuation of supply operations so that the IDF can continue its fight against Hamas. During the visit, the Israeli delegation examined vehicles purchased by the ministry, including the JLTV multi-purpose armored vehicles manufactured by the American company Oshkosh, and discussed future procurement plans and the continuation of deliveries to support military efforts.
Last year, the Israeli Ministry of Defense initially ordered 75 Oshkosh Defense Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) from the US government under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, worth an estimated $29 million. Following the initial contract, the ministry signed a second contract with the manufacturer for “dozens” of JLTVs via its Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) program. Neither the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), nor Oshkosh Defense revealed details about the two orders, such as the vehicle variants covered, the delivery schedule, or the auxiliary equipment to be supplied with the vehicles. According to current information, these new armored vehicles will gradually replace the Israeli defense forces’ existing HMMWV (or Humvee) High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles.
Since the start of the war, Israel is said to have made more than 100 military purchases from the United States, including thousands of precision-guided munitions, small-caliber bombs, bunker busters, and light weapons, in addition to the Oshkosh Defense Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV). However, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has publicly announced only two military sales to Israel since the October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas last year. One of these is 13,981 pieces of 120 mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer (MPAT) tank cartridges worth approximately 106 million US dollars, and the other is M107 155 mm projectiles and related equipment worth 147.5 million US dollars. These military sales were sent directly to the Israeli government, bypassing Congressional review under Section 36(b) of the United States Arms Export Control Act.
Aside from these, Israel continues to request up to 50 Boeing F-15EX Eagle II multi-role aircraft, 25 F-35I Adir multi-role aircraft, Mark 84 and Mark 82 general-purpose bombs, and numerous precision guided missiles from the United States. At a time when many countries are criticizing Israel’s position on the ongoing war in Gaza, it remains to be seen whether these demands will be approved by the US Congress.