US Approves Foreign Military Sale of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles to Israel
The United States State Department has approved a proposed sale of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) and related equipment to Israel under Foreign Military Sales procedures, with an estimated value of $1.98 billion, according to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) press release issued January 30, 2026.
Washington delivered the required notification to Congress under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act on behalf of the Government of Israel. The sale, transmittal number 25-87, covers 3,250 JLTVs in multiple variants plus logistics and support gear.
What’s Included in the JLTV Package
The proposed sale would supply Israel with a range of JLTV variants:
- Utility JLTV M1279A1/A2/A3
- Heavy Guns Carrier JLTV M1278A1/A2/A3
- Close Combat Weapons Carrier JLTV M1281A1/A2/A3
- General Purpose JLTV M1280A1/A2/A3
Non-major defense equipment items include remote weapon stations, cargo trailers, command and control gear, vehicle kits, protection and vision systems, spare parts, technical manuals, trainers, and fielding support.
Strategic and Operational Rationale
The notification states the sale will support US foreign policy and national security by strengthening a key partner in the Middle East. The JLTVs are intended to improve mobility for Israeli ground forces across current and future operations, aiding secure personnel movement and logistics. Absorption into Israeli defense forces is assessed as feasible without major hurdles.
Officials also noted that the sale would not alter the basic military balance in the region. Implementation is expected to require assignment of additional US government and contractor personnel to Israel over a period of up to six years to provide fielding, training, and logistics support.
Contractor and Support
AM General LLC, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Mishawaka, Indiana, is the principal contractor for the JLTVs. No offset agreements were reported at the time of notification.
Congressional Notification and Oversight
The DSCA notification starts a 15-day period for potential congressional review. Under US law, Congress can block or modify a proposed Foreign Military Sale through a joint resolution during this window. In 2025, lawmakers introduced a resolution aimed at disapproving certain defense sales to Israel, highlighting persistent oversight interest in major FMS cases.
Why JLTVs Matter
The JLTV program was developed to replace legacy light tactical vehicles with a platform that balances protection, payload, and mobility for modern combat environments. JLTVs offer improvements over older systems in blast resistance, off-road performance, and digital integration, and are used broadly by the US Army and Marine Corps.
For Israel, fielding thousands of JLTVs would expand protected mobility for mechanized units, logistic convoys, and command elements, complementing existing transport and combat platforms.
Context: Broader US-Israel Defense Ties
The JLTV proposal forms part of continuing defense cooperation between the US and Israel. In recent years, Israel has received a range of US defense equipment through FMS and direct commercial sales, including rotary wing aircraft, munitions, and integrated air defense systems. (See also related FMS announcements from 2025).
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