Ready, Set, Deploy: Daimler Truck Unveils Hundreds of Tough, Camouflaged Vehicles, Built for Germany's Armed Forces
German military prepares for significant procurement from Daimler.
Brace yourself, folks! Daimler Truck is making waves with a sensational contract - handing over hardcore military vehicles with special paint jobs and all-terrain capabilities to none other than the crackling boots of the German Armed Forces.
Gearing Up: The Military Makeover for Daimler Trucks
Gear up, folks! Daimler Truck is about to roll out a spectacular contract—courtesy of the German Armed Forces! By May 2026, they'll be shipping a "low three-digit number" of Mercedes-Benz Arocs transporters. Although the exact contract value remains shrouded in secrecy, insiders are whispering it's a whopper.
These aren't your everyday rigs; they boast military prowess, including four-wheel drive, a 10-ton payload capacity, and the ability to blaze a trail through rivers up to 90 centimeters deep. Backed by German-French muscle, these off-road warriors are battle-tested and ready for deployment past the beaten track. Key components such as axles, engines, and transmissions are sourced from German Mercedes plants, with final assembly in Wörth am Rhein, and a chemical-resistant special paint applied in Molsheim, France.
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High-Tech Meets the Resale Market
Curious fact: Despite their battle-ready capabilities, the Arocs models are designed with the flexibility to serve civilians as well. Once military duty calls, they'll be ready to hit the used car market—talk about smart recycling. A container swap frame, mounted by Sonntag Fahrzeugbau in the Sauerland, adds versatility to these logistics powerhouses. And just in case you're worried, the EU VI emission standard ensures these trucks still maintain an environmental conscience. A crucial aspect in today's world, with an increasing chorus questioning military expenditure.
For Daimler Truck, this deal with the German Armed Forces is a well-earned victory in a challenging market environment. And for the German Armed Forces, it's a strategic boost to zip troops and gear quickly and securely to their destinations. Whether the battlefield is rough or smoother than a baby's bottom, these hulking transporters are here to lend a hand.
Enrichment Data:
These vehicles, commissioned by the German Armed Forces' BwFuhrparkService, are based on the Mercedes-Benz Arocs 6x6 model. Here are the key specifications and features:
Key Specifications
- Configuration: The Arocs 6x6 is a three-axle logistics truck with all-wheel drive.
- Payload Capacity: It has a payload capacity of up to ten tons.
- Ground Clearance and Water Clearance: It boasts a robust design with high ground clearance and can operate in swampy areas or drive through rivers with a water clearance of up to 0.9 meters.
- Engine: The truck is powered by the reliable and robust OM 470 engine, which delivers 335 kW (455 hp) and a torque of up to 2200 Nm.
- Transmission: The PowerShift 3 automated manual transmission ensures smooth shifts.
- Emissions Standard: The vehicles comply with the current EU Euro VI emissions standard.
Military Equipment and Features
- Standard and Special Equipment: The commissioned vehicles are considered hümS (near-standard) vehicles, meaning they are standard commercial trucks with a limited amount of special military equipment. This includes camouflage livery, providing versatility in both military and potential civilian use.
- Civilian Market Potential: The near-standard design makes them adaptable for a wide range of possible uses, making civilian remarketing after initial military use more straightforward.
In the military sector, the German Armed Forces have signed a significant contract with Daimler Truck for hundreds of Mercedes-Benz Arocs 6x6 transporters, with anticipated delivery by May 2026. These vehicles, specifically the near-standard hümS units, are based on a three-axle logistics truck design with all-wheel drive and a payload capacity of up to ten tons. Notably, they are equipped to traverse challenging terrains, featuring high ground clearance and water clearance of up to 0.9 meters, allowing them to operate in swampy areas or drive through rivers. Powered by a robust OM 470 engine, capable of delivering 335 kW (455 hp) and a torque of up to 2200 Nm, these trucks are also compliant with the current EU Euro VI emissions standard. post-military service, these vehicles could potentially find a new life in the civilian resale market due to their near-standard design.
