The Slovenian Ministry of Defense has implemented the procedure to buy 38 Oshkosh Defense JLTV tactical vehicles decided during the previous government's mandate. Last week, an agreement was signed between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the United States. The AM General Humvees currently in service in the Slovenian Armed Forces become too old. Too much maintenance is needed, which is too expensive.

Oshkosh Defense JLTV displayed at DVD 2018 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The key to the future development of the Slovenian Armed Forces is its modernization and investment in modern equipment, which will enable the provision of national defense and collective defense within the Alliance. The new LKOV 4 x 4 vehicles (Slovenian designation), which the Slovenian Army will gradually get from 2021 to 2023, will replace the old worn-out Hummers. For any future vehicle acquisition, one of the major selection criteria will be the highest level of protection.

The decision to buy vehicles according to the government system allows the government to make quicker and more transparent purchases of equipment without intermediaries and considerably more favorable than other types of orders. This type of order is made possible by Article 10 of the Public Procurement Act in the field of defense and security. Prior to the decision to buy vehicles under this system, a market survey was conducted, on the basis of which the decision was made that this mode of purchase is the best for the Republic of Slovenia.