The US State Department said Monday it is ready to sell thousands of tactical vehicles to Britain in a contract worth more than $1 billion.
The sale comes after the British government requested a possible sale of up to 2,747 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) in a contract worth $1.035 billion.
"This proposed sale supports the foreign policy and national security policies of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO ally which has been, and continues to be, an important partner on critical foreign policy and defense issues."
Congress has 30 days to raise objections to the sale, but with Britain essentially America's top military ally, that is unlikely.
The JLTV is a new all-purpose military vehicle that has been designed to replace the Humvee in the US military.
The maker of the JLTV is Oshkosh Defense in Wisconsin, and the sale will include armor, run-flat tire kits, technical assistance and other elements.
Oshkosh in 2015 was awarded a $6.75 billion contract to replace thousands of Humvees in the US military.
The Humvee struggled in Iraq, where its flat-bellied hull was unable to dissipate the blasts of roadside bombs.
Unlike in a Humvee, parts of the new JLTV fragment, so explosive forces are carried away from the cab, helping to disperse the deadly energy.
Britain approved for $1.035 billion U.S. military vehicle buy
Washington (UPI) Jul 11, 2017 –
Great Britain has won U.S. State Department approval for the possible purchase of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program.
The sales package would include as many as 2,747 vehicles and accessories such as B-kit armor, engine arctic kits, fording kits, run-flat kits, spare tire kits, silent watch kits, power expansion kits cargo cover kits, maintainer and operator training, U.S. technical support and other benefits, according to a U.S. Department of Defense news release.
The Defense Department estimates the total cost of the acquisition would be $1.035 billion.
Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Defense will be the principal contractor for the deal and will provide minimum contractor support until Britain can transition to internal organic support.
The tactical vehicle is partially replacing the Humvee utility vehicle used by U.S. forces.
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