The US State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to North Macedonia of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) and related elements of logistics and programme support, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) reported on 11 March 2024.
The proposed sale, which is worth an estimated USD 111 million (EUR 101.6 million), has been forwarded to the US Congress for final approval.
North Macedonia has requested to buy an additional 18 M1278A1/A2 JLTV Heavy Gun Carriers (HGCs) and seven general-purpose M1280A1/A2 JLTVs that will be added to a previously implemented FMS case, the value of which was under the congressional notification threshold.
The original FMS case, valued at USD 78.54 million, included 71 JLTVs, consisting of 48 M1278A1/A2 JLTV HGCs; seventeen general-purpose M1280A1/A2 JLTVs and six M1281A1/A2 JLTV Close Combat Weapons Carriers (CCWCs).
This notification is thus for a combined total of 66 M1278A1/A2 JLTV HGCs, 24 general-purpose M1280A1/A2 JLTVs and six M1281A1/A2 JLTV CCWCs.
Also included are Common Remotely Operated Weapon Stations (CROWS) and associated equipment; M2A1 machine guns with support equipment; MK19 Mod III automatic grenade launchers with support equipment; M240B machine guns with support equipment; MK93 weapon mounts; Driver’s Visor Enhancers; maintenance tool set toughbook laptops; high-frequency radios and other communications equipment; Defense Advanced Global Positioning System Receivers (DAGR) with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Modules (SAASM) and support equipment; and various other equipment items and associated technical, engineering, logistics and programme support.
“The proposed sale will enhance North Macedonia’s capacity to meet current and future threats by providing a tactical vehicle capability to deter adversaries and participate in NATO operations,” the DSCA stated. “The proposed sale will support its goal of improving national and territorial defense as well as interoperability with US and NATO forces.”
The principal contractors for the sale will be Oshkosh Defense out of its facilities in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; AM General out of its facilities in Auburn Hills, Michegan; Leonardo DRS out of its site in West Plains, Missouri, and L3Harris out of its site in Melbourne, Florida.
