If JLTV was all-singing, all-dancing wonder truck then I'd be more keen for UK, though still cant swallow FMS buy for tactical protected 4x4, something UK can do domestic with proper indsutrial participation. Problem is, JLTV has been having quite a few problems for years now

Unit price is up 14% in the last 24 months alone, and thats the bare bones PBR cited price. Real world price is higher than that, and once kitted out with all the GFE and B-kits etc is quite pricey indeed. Not a huge issue per se, but its there.

DOT&E testing has been finding technical issues for years though, and these aren't small niggles here or there, they're pretty big tickets. Here are a few (not all) from last 24 months only. Many are being resolved, but it is illustrative that this isnt a simple mature C/MOTS buy

(1) "Crew has poor visibility due to blind spots around the vehicle." This has required enlarged windows and body mods (impacting surviviability) added during production ($$), as well as cameras to cover blind spots (more $$$/complexity)

(2) "The JLTV has large visual and loud aural signature increasing detectability." New enlarged muffler ($$) has mitigated noise signature somewhat, but it remains very loud (anyone at DVD will have experienced hearing MATV and LATV coming from a few valleys away)

(3) That noise issue is keenly felt inside the vehicle. DOT&E report that troops cannot communicate internally without an intercom, and the muffler plus noise abatement materials ($$$ and weight) have not mitigated internal noise issues.

(4) back to that visual signature, troops reported the height of the vehicle is a problem, with the TSK for carrying troops in the rear preventing some tactical missions and regularly striking overhead obstacles. It is cartoonishly huge, to be fair.

(5) Rather terrifyingly for passengers, the troop strap and tailgate in the troop carrying configuration "does not provide adequate protection to prevent soldiers or mission equipment from being ejected out of the cargo bed during movement." ($$ to modify/replace)

(6) "CCWC variant provides less capability to engage threats with TOW missiles over the HMMWV. The missile reload process is slow and difficult for crews. It has less storage space than other variants and accessing mission-essential equipment from the cargo area is a challenge"

(7) All JLTVs are "not operationally suitable because of
deficiencies in reliability, maintainability, training, manuals, crew situational awareness, and safety. JLTV demonstrated less reliability than requirement". ($$$ development to improve)

(7 cont.) "The primary drivers of operational mission failures were engine wiring problems, flat and damaged tires, and break system faults". ($$ to fix)

(8) Units cannot maintain the JLTV without support from the contractor due to vehicle complexity, ineffective training, poor manuals, and challenges with troubleshooting the vehicle. The JLTV will require more maintenance that the HMMWV based on the maintenance ratio demonstrated

(9) "The health monitoring system is not accurate and reduces crew and maintainer confidence in the system."

(10) "Crews had slow egress from JLTVs and numerous reliability failures of doors not opening impeded the ability of the soldiers and marines to safely ingress and egress the JLTV."

(11) "The JLTV towing the fielded M1102H trailer is not
operationally eff ective for combat missions" owing to differing mobility levels and will not use it as planned. May need an all-new trailer system - $$$

Dont get me wrong, JLTV is a capable vehicle, strong off-road and well protected. Oshkosh are a very good truck manufacturer, perhaps the best.

But with JLTV there are some big issues in that list, some of which are inherent to the design, others have been or will be mitigated

For me, you buy FMS or C/MOTS to get a proven mature design that hits your requirement very well, and is fast, cheaper than developing your own and without major risk. Where is that big benefit to justify totally bypassing any UK industrial share here?

Is it even the best UK could get at equal or similar price point in this class, given its problems? Even with a 70k vehicle order (US plus exports) the price keeps rising. At which point would a UK built option be worth the little bit extra?

Price generally is the big boast for why it has to fill the MRVP requirement. How well has outright lowest price gone for the UKs recent vehicle programmes so far?

Some food for thought, This isnt easy or simple stuff for those making the calls. #miltwitter