On July 12, 2023, the Ministry of Defense of Slovakia officially announced the acquisition of a minimum of 160 Oshkosh Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) 4×4. This procurement, valued at nearly $190 million, is part of the Slovak Republic’s efforts to modernize its Armed Forces and aims to provide them with versatile combat vehicles.
Out of the 160 JLTVs, 110 units will be equipped with the M153 CROWS RWS remotely controlled weapons station, while the remaining 50 vehicles will have a manned turret.
The CROWS RWS, and his CROWS II RWS variant, is a weapon system designed to enhance the capabilities of military vehicles by enabling operators to remotely control and engage targets with mounted weapons from a secure position inside the vehicle. It offers flexibility in operational scenarios and ongoing developments seek to integrate additional features, enhancing soldiers’ situational awareness and operational effectiveness.
Earlier, on May 9, 2023, the Government of Slovakia received approval from the State Department for a potential Foreign Military Sale of 192 M1278A1/A2 Heavy Gun Carriers Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) and associated equipment and services, estimated at $250 million.