Oshkosh begins building first DXPV prototype for the Dutch Marines, a JLTV derivative called Kaaiman

Oshkosh Defense has started production of the first prototype of the Dutch Expeditionary Patrol Vehicle (DXPV) for the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, the company announced on 13 October 2026. The vehicle, nicknamed Kaaiman, is derived from the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) that Oshkosh builds for the United States.

The announcement came from Oshkosh Defense Europe B.V. and Oshkosh Defense, LLC, a business of Oshkosh Corporation, in a release datelined Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

What the prototype changes on the JLTV

According to the company, the DXPV is meant for expeditionary and coastal missions and was shaped with input from the customer. It lists several changes to the base vehicle: improved mobility, corrosion protection suited to maritime environments, modular protection options, environmental upgrades, integrated mission systems and suspension improvements for better performance off-road. Oshkosh says the modular architecture is designed to take future upgrades and mission-specific configurations.

The company presents the programme as evidence of what an active production line can do. Jeff Heggemeier, vice president and general manager of Oshkosh Defense, said the start of prototype production is an important step in delivering new capability to the Netherlands and stressed that production readiness matters. Oshkosh argues that building on a mature, fielded platform shortens delivery and lets it move from concept to prototype faster than a conventional vehicle development effort.

The release adds that the same JLTV line is also building JLTV-based counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) vehicles for an urgent customer need. It does not name that customer.

The 2025 agreement behind it

The prototype follows an agreement that Oshkosh announced on 25 June 2025, covering 150 DXPVs for the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. The signing ceremony took place in Doorn, in the Netherlands, and the customer is the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps. In that release the company described the vehicle as offering off-road mobility, high speed and interoperability with NATO forces. Pat Williams, Oshkosh Defense’s chief programs officer, said the agreement reflects continued global interest in the JLTV platform, and the company noted that it is the only original equipment manufacturer authorised to offer the JLTV to international customers through direct commercial sales.

Neither release gives a delivery schedule, a prototype delivery date or technical specifications, so the timeline from prototype to the 150 production vehicles is not public from these sources.

Geopolitiki has earlier covered the platform in Romania to get more M1278A1 JLTVs.