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The US State Department has approved a possible US$111 million foreign military sale of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles to the government of North Macedonia.
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The US Congress was notified of the possible sale of tactical vehicles, logistics, and program support by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 8 March this year.
The potential sale includes an additional 18 M1278A1/A2 Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Heavy Gun Carriers (HGC) and seven M1280A1/A2 Joint Light Tactical Vehicle General Purpose (GP) variants – added to a previously implemented foreign military sale case.
The original foreign military sale case, valued at US$78.54 million, included a total of 71 JLTVs, consisting of 48 M1278A1/A2 JLTV HGCs, 17 M1280A1/A2 JLTV GP variants, and six M1281A1/A2 JLTV Close Combat Weapons Carrier.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe,” according to a statement from the DSCA.
“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 proposed sale will support its goal of improving national and territorial defence as well as interoperability with US and NATO forces. North Macedonia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
Other parts of the foreign military sale include the acquisition of common remotely operated weapon stations, spare parts, boresight kit components, CROWS installation and training, M2A1 machine guns, support equipment, MK19 Mod III with support equipment, M240B machine guns, MK93 weapon mounts, maintenance, high frequency radios, laptops, communications equipment, repair parts, technical manuals, publications, logistics and support.
Oshkosh Defense, Leonardo DRS, AM General, and L3Harris will be principal contractors; and the proposed sale will require temporary duty travel of three to five US government representatives to North Macedonia for a duration of up to five years.
