Oshkosh Defense has commenced production of the first prototype of the Dutch Expeditionary Patrol Vehicle (DXPV), designated “Kaaiman,” for the Netherlands Ministry of Defence.
The company announced the milestone as part of its ongoing programme to provide next-generation patrol vehicles tailored to Dutch military needs.
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According to Oshkosh Defense, the DXPV is derived from its established Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) platform but incorporates several enhancements based on Dutch requirements.
These include improved mobility, corrosion protection suitable for maritime environments, modular protection options, upgraded environmental systems, integrated mission systems, and advanced suspension for greater off-road capability.
The company stated that utilising the existing JLTV production line allows for faster delivery and adaptation to customer requests.
Oshkosh Defense vice president & general manager Jeff Heggemeier said: “The start of DXPV prototype production is an important step in delivering next-generation capability to the Netherlands.
“Just as importantly, it demonstrates the strength of an active production base and our ability to continuously evolve proven vehicle technologies to address the changing needs of our customers and their missions.”
The DXPV’s production follows a June 2025 agreement between Oshkosh Defense Europe and the Dutch Defence Ministry for 150 vehicles.
In January this year, the Ministry placed a further order, valued between $25m and $30m, for additional DXPV vehicles.
As part of the latest order, Oshkosh Defense will also supply two DXPV training kits intended to enable Dutch personnel to begin operational training immediately after delivery.
Oshkosh Defense is also producing JLTV-based vehicles for counter-uncrewed aircraft system (C-UAS) missions to meet an “urgent” customer requirement.
The DXPV programme marks part of the Netherlands’ broader efforts to modernise its fleet with vehicles capable of addressing evolving operational environments and expeditionary demands.
Data and analytic platform GlobalData forecasts that Dutch defence spending will reach about $31bn in 2026, representing a 23.8% compound annual growth rate from 2022, following increased requirements for modern equipment and ammunition production after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In its Netherlands Defense Market 2026 report, published in April, the data and analytics firm projects a further 8.2% CAGR over the following five years, taking the budget to an estimated $45.2bn by 2031.
