North Macedonia has committed to acquiring an additional batch of JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) M1280A1 armored vehicles, following the United States Department of State's approval of the potential foreign military sale. This development was officially announced on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, affiliated with the US Department of Defense.
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North Macedonia has committed to acquiring an additional batch of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The acquisition includes 26 advanced armored combat vehicles, split between 18 M1278A1/A2 JLTV (Heavy Guns Carrier) versions and 7 M1280A1/A2 JLTV general-purpose variants, totaling $111 million. This order supplements North Macedonia's previous acquisition of 71 JLTV armored vehicles.
Manufactured by Oshkosh Defense and AM General, the JLTVs are known for their robust yet straightforward design, making them a preferred choice globally. Their modular design enables versatile use and enhanced ballistic protection, marking a significant advancement from the HMMWV light SUVs previously used by the US Armed Forces for about four decades.
Equipped to carry a 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm caliber machine gun, the JLTV offers considerable firepower to support military operations. Its advanced armor protects against light arms fire, improvised explosive device (IED) blasts, and artillery shell splinters, thus ensuring crew safety in hostile environments.
The JLTV is currently in service in several countries worldwide, including Belgium, Brazil, Lithuania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, and the United States. With a curb weight of 6,400 kg, this vehicle can reach a maximum speed of 120 km/h.
The JLTVs are equipped with accessories designed to maximize crew survival and comfort, including mine blast seats, an automatic fire suppression system, heating, air conditioning, a nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) protection system, and adaptable suspension. These features make the JLTV extremely adaptable to a variety of missions and operational environments.
The vehicle can transport a crew of four (two crew members plus two passengers), making it ideal for a range of tactical missions, from reconnaissance to patrolling. With dimensions of 6.2 meters in length, 2.5 meters in width, and 2.6 meters in height, the JLTV offers an optimal balance between size and interior space, ensuring both maneuverability and the necessary comfort for prolonged operations. Finally, the JLTV has a range of 480 km.
Countries such as Belgium, Slovenia, and Lithuania have begun integrating JLTV armored vehicles into their military fleets, reflecting the vehicle's growing popularity. The increase in production is attributed to a substantial backlog of orders, notably the US demand for 20,000 of these vehicles. To meet the high demand, production has been diversified across multiple facilities, ensuring the timely delivery of these critical military assets.
