The US defense company Oshkosh Defense announced on 13 January a new contract to deliver the Dutch Expeditionary Patrol Vehicle (DXPV) Kaaiman to The Netherlands’ Ministry of Defense. Zona Militar spoke with Pat Williams, Chief Programs Officer at Oshkosh Defense, about this contract, Kaaiman’s capabilities, and why Latin American ground forces should be interested in Kaaiman or a similar tactical vehicle produced by the company.
Oshkosh Defense, part of the Oshkosh Corporation, announced the sale of an additional number DXPVs worth USD$25-30 million in mid-January. The company will also deliver two DXPV training kits that will allow “Dutch Soldiers to begin training immediately, allowing for seamless transition and sustained operational capability,” the company explained in a press release.
The Dutch government and Oshkosh Defense signed an original agreement in 2025 to procure 150 Kaaimans for the Korps Mariniers (Royal Netherlands Marine Corps: RNLMC). The renowned defense news agency Janes explained at the time that the contract was valued at around USD$174.8–233 million. Williams explained that the January announcement is for a subsequent order for “additional platforms.” The company declined to share the new total quantity but confirmed to ZM that initial deliveries will begin in late 2026.
The Kaaiman is derived from the company’s well-known Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) platform. Williams explained to ZM that the Kaaiman will fulfill the role of the Future Littoral All Terrain Mobility – Patrol Vehicle (FLATM-PV) for the Dutch Marines.
Williams explained why the Dutch military decided to order additional Kaaimans: the vehicle’s open architecture enables “virtually limitless” mission system integration, including future mission systems, sensors, and emerging technologies, “without extensive vehicle redesign.” The company has highlighted the ease of adding new payloads to Kaiman, as the “DXPV platform is designed to accommodate the integration of emerging technologies and mission systems.” Integration is the name of the game, and militaries want to easily add new payloads to light, tactical vehicles.
Oshkosh explained to ZM that at the International Armoured Vehicles Conference held in the United Kingdom in January, the company showcased a JLTV outfitted with a Kongsberg RS6 remote controlled weapons system, a Northrop Grumman LW230 30 mm cannon, a Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile Launcher, and a Coaxial M240G medium machine gun. In other words, a plethora of combat systems can be added to the JLTV. Another JLTV was also outfitted with a Saab Barracuda Mobile Camo System. (Zona Militar has also reported on industries adding exportable energy capabilities to light, tactical vehicles to power additional payloads).
The Kaaiman can be used for a range of missions, from command and control to reconnaissance and force protection.
The Kaaiman variant of the JLTV is not currently in use by any Latin American military; however, the Brazilian armed forces do operate the more well-known JLTV. Zona Militar asked Williams why regional armed forces should be interested in the Kaaiman variant, or any other member of the JLTV family. The Oshkosh executive highlighted that Latin American militaries operate across some of the “world’s most demanding environments,” including urban centers, jungles, deserts, mountains, and coastal regions; moreover, their missions include internal security, border protection, disaster response, and peacekeeping.
“The Oshkosh JLTV family of vehicles,” including Kaaiman, “is well-suited to these realities, delivering exceptional mobility, reliability, and off-road performance in a platform trusted by militaries worldwide,” Williams explained.
Moreover, the executive highlighted to ZM that by acquiring JLTVs and becoming part of this community, “Latin American militaries gain access to established US supply corridors,” including a “mature sustainment” ecosystem and opportunities to integrate their own national industries into the JLTV supply chain. Besides Brazil, the United States, and the Netherlands, other global operators of Oshkosh Defense’s family of JLTVs include Belgium, Israel, Lithuania, Mongolia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Romania. Over 24,000 vehicles have been produced so far for the US armed forces and Washington’s global partners. The JLTV is, so far, the only fully fielded, combat-tested light tactical vehicle available to international customers, Williams highlighted.
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