The US State Department has approved Romania’s potential purchase of 95 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) in the heavy gun carrier configuration for an estimated $104 million.
Romania first announced its intention to buy more than 100 JLTVs in July 2021, with vehicle manufacturer Oshkosh Defense confirming Romania to be one of the customers of the vehicles that same month.
Romania initially requested to buy 34 vehicles for $43.7 million. This sale, should it be concluded, would bring the total number of JLTVs on order to 129 units.
“The proposed sale will improve Romania’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force that is capable of deterring adversaries and enhance its participation in NATO operations. Romania will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.
As a successor for the Humvee in the US military, the JLTV is air-transportable (CH-47 and CH-53 helicopters; C-130, C-5, C-17 and A400 cargo fixed-wing aircraft) and can be delivered in a multitude of versions ranging from general purpose to heavy guns carrier.
In addition to the US military, the JLTV has secured orders from seven NATO and allied forces including, Belgium, Slovenia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Brazil, and Romania.
In addition to the JLTV, Romania also bought High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers from the US, which were delivered in 2021, as well Patriot surface to air missile systems, the first of which was officially handed over to Romania in September 2020.
In April 2021, Romania also signed a letter of acceptance with the US for the purchase of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) coastal defense system, with delivery expected by 2024.
