Daimler Truck Debuts Advanced Military Vehicles at IDEX

Published: Thursday, February 6, 2025

Daimler Truck pursues growth in developing, producing, and selling military commercial vehicles for logistics applications.

Daimler Truck expands vehicle variants, sales network, and partnerships to better meet defense sector needs with a comprehensive portfolio.

Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks handles defense, firefighting, and disaster relief, conducting R&D and production in Wörth and Molsheim plants.

IDEX Debut

Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks offers diverse vehicles, from Unimog to Arocs, in Euro III-VI, with optional special equipment.

Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks expanded Zetros models, offering 4×4 to 8×8 variants, with cab options, tire choices, and emissions standards.

The manufacturer offers Unimog-based FGA chassis and CKD sets for local assembly of vehicles in customers’ countries.

Franziska Cusumano, Head of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks: “Step by step, we are expanding our business in the defence sector. We have developed a clear strategy for this following the motto ‘Grow and Invest’. The contracts concluded and the vehicles handed over in large numbers last year underline that our logistics solutions are tailored to the needs of different customers and their various deployment scenarios. We also want to meet this demand at the IDEX fair in Abu Dhabi with vehicles specially designed for use in this region.”

MENA Roots

Daimler Truck has been rooted in the African, Arab and Asian regions for decades with its dealer and service network and works closely with local partners and bodybuilders. With the “Middle East/Africa” Regional Center in Dubai, the manufacturer offers long-term customer proximity and fast and uncomplicated vehicle and spare parts availability. At IDEX in Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s leading trade fairs for security and defence, Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks will be showcasing an excerpt from its portfolio from 17 to February 21. At booth 08-D48, visitors will find four vehicles for defence deployment, which are especially designed for robust use in high heat and dusty, sandy areas: two trucks from the Zetros off-road model series, an Arocs heavy-duty tractor unit and the variable chassis for protected bodies (FGA).

From the Mercedes-Benz Zetros model series

The Mercedes-Benz Zetros is built for military operations in regions with limited infrastructure. In the hooded vehicle, the driver’s cab is positioned behind the front axle. This ensures a low overall height, significantly reduced vibration and shock loads for personnel and loads, greater driving safety and higher speeds on unpaved terrain. For work in the engine compartment, the cab does not need to be tilted, parts of the crew can remain in the vehicle and ensure the use of communication systems and other vehicle functions during this time.

All Zetros models are equipped with the OM 460 in-line six-cylinder diesel engine, which offers an output of up to 375 kW (510 hp) and is also suitable for operation with NATO fuel F-34. A maximum torque of up to 2,300 Nm is available from a displacement of 12.8 liters. 16-speed transmission or Allison automatic torque converter transmission, two-stage transfer case, engageable differential locks, large approach/departure and ramp angles and fording capability make traction and propulsion possible even in sand, mud, when crossing rivers and on steep terrain. The Zetros can be used as a semitrailer tractor to achieve gross combination weights of up to 120 tons and, thanks to numerous body solutions, to solve a wide range of transport tasks.

IDEX Showdown

At IDEX, Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks will be presenting the Zetros 3351 AS 6×6 as a semitrailer tractor for the transportation of wheeled or tracked vehicles. The vehicle offers space for three people in the cab behind the front axle as well as a sleeping area and storage space for equipment.

Powered by a Mercedes-Benz OM 460 Euro V engine with 375 kW (510 hp) and Allison automatic transmission 4500 SP with retarder, the vehicle dynamics are high even in demanding off-road applications. Thanks to fully automatic gear selection, the six-speed transmission control enables fast and smooth moving off and acceleration without interruptions in tractive power. The differential locks on all axles and the tire pressure control system provide additional traction off-road. The diesel tank holds 780 liters, which makes long deployments without refueling possible.

The Zetros is equipped with the TLS 2.25 transport loading system with double winch from HPC Maschinenbau. The tensile force per winch is up to 250 kN, enabling wheeled or tracked vehicles with total weights of up to 70 tons to be loaded.

The Zetros can be seen with a gooseneck low loader trailer from Louault, which allows a maximum speed of 80 km/h with a net payload of 70 tons. Hydraulic outriggers, tie-down elements, additional storage space on the frame and cargo area and the tire pressure control system make the trailer a transport specialist for high loads, even on unpaved terrain.

Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks is also showcasing the Zetros 2036 A 4×4 with Euro III engine and 265 kW (360 hp). The chassis is equipped with a Mercedes-Benz G 260-16/11.7-0.69 transmission with double-plate clutch. The compact dimensions of 8.840 mm in length, 2.550 mm in width and 3.560 mm in elevation and the comparatively small wheelbase of 5.100 mm make the truck relatively maneuverable. The permissible gross weight of the two-axle vehicle is 16.5 tons. The cab with center seat offers space for three people and has additional storage space with fastening points in the cab, so that even extensive equipment can be carried easily. The Zetros is designed as a material and troop transporter with a low-torsion platform body.

From the Mercedes-Benz Arocs model series

The Mercedes-Benz Arocs offers customers a great diversity of drive variants, cab sizes and equipment elements. This individual configuration allows the vehicle to be adapted to different customer requirements and deployment scenarios. Powerful engines, highly resilient drive components and the solid chassis and suspension design ensure high off-road capability.

The Arocs is available with efficient Euro VI engines. The range of engines ranges from 7.7 liters of displacement with 175 kW (238 hp) to 15.6 liters of displacement with 460 kW (625 hp). This makes it possible to transport heavy loads with gross combination weights of up to 250 tons. For use in regions with lower emission requirements or poorer fuel qualities, the Arocs is also available with Euro III and Euro V exhaust gas certification.

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It enables smooth power transmission, even under high loads. For the driver, this means more driving comfort when moving off and stopping and more sensitive maneuvering with input torques of up to 3,000 Nm and full utilization of the engine output up to the traction limit. Reduced gearbox wear and increased service life of the drive components contribute to increased maintenance-free uptime.

The Mercedes-Benz Arocs 4042 AS 6×6 exhibited at IDEX 2025 is a heavy-duty tractor unit with twin tires and twin winch suitable for heavy-duty off-road transport, for example as a tank tractor unit.

The double cable winch recovers broken-down vehicles and loads and unloads them onto the low loader trailer.

The Arocs 4042 AS 6×6 has the same engine as the Zetros models. The OM 460 in-line six-cylinder diesel engine with Euro III emissions standard delivers 310 kW (421 hp) in this variant with a displacement of 12.8 liters. The Mercedes-Benz Powershift 3 transmission shifts fully automatically for a fuel-saving driving style and at the same time relieving the driver. If the driver wants to rely on their own fingertip sensitivity when changing the gears, they can optionally use manual mode.

The Arocs 4042 AS 6×6 measures 8,200×2,500×3,500 mm, with a 4,200 mm wheelbase and 40-ton gross weight capacity.

Defense equipment includes an openable roof hatch and blackout lights to reduce visibility during night operations.

The Arocs also has a tire pressure control system with infinitely variable pressure adjustment for improved off-road capability.