Montenegro to receive Elbit Spear mortar system for JLTVs

Montenegro will receive Elbit Spear mortar systems for its JLTVs. (Elbit Systems)

Montenegro will receive Elbit Spear 120 mm mortar systems for its Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) under a government-to-government agreement between the Israeli and Montenegrin ministries of defence (MoDs), the Israeli company announced in a press release on 15 May. Elbit Systems was awarded a EUR20 million (USD21.6 million) contract – signed by Yair Kulas, director of Israel's International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT), and Colonel Vladan Martic, director of logistics in the Montenegrin MoD.

Elbit declined to comment on the number of mortar systems to be provided.

The contract also includes the training of Montenegrin soldiers and officers at the Elbit-IMI Academy in Israel. The company declined to comment on the number of Montenegrin personnel to be trained.

The academy provides training for individuals and teams in special skills, including live-fire simulation, with an emphasis on combat infantry and operating in various terrains. Janes understands that Montenegrin personnel will receive training in urban warfare.

Elbit is also supplying and integrating 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon stations worth USD35 million into Montenegrin JLTVs under an earlier agreement signed between the Israeli and Montenegrin MoDs in December 2019. The contract includes seven years of logistic support.

Montenegro is receiving 67 JLTVs under a 2019 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract with the United States.