A Strategic Partnership for Defense Mobility
At the Forum Entreprises Défense 2025 in Paris, Arquus and Daimler Truck introduced the Zetros by Arquus, a new 6x6 tactical truck designed for modern armed forces. The collaboration merges Daimler Truck’s engineering with Arquus’ militarization expertise to create a durable, easily maintained vehicle for European defense needs. The project supports Europe’s Defense Industrial and Technological Base and reinforces industrial sovereignty within the region.
Complementary Strengths
Tactical Mobility for Modern Armed Forces
The Zetros by Arquus is engineered for difficult operations. It handles rough terrain and extreme weather while carrying heavy loads. Its Mercedes-Benz Zetros chassis ensures durability, while Arquus adds systems, armor, and mission-specific equipment required for tactical operations.
Key features include:
- Drive system: Permanent 6x6
- Payload: Over 6 tons
- Crew: Two-person cabin
- Cab options: Armored or unarmored
- Roles: Logistics, troop transport, and tactical support
The cabin offers safety and comfort without sacrificing readiness. The design simplifies field maintenance, reducing downtime in combat zones.
Proven Global Platform
Daimler Truck already supplies the Zetros to Canada, Lithuania, and Ukraine. The partnership with Arquus adapts this proven platform for French and European service.
Daniel Zittel, Head of Defence Sales at Daimler Truck, said the project combines tested reliability with defense-level integration.
Emmanuel Levacher, General Manager of Arquus, emphasized that local maintenance and fleet support will give French units faster turnaround times.
Local Production and Support Network
French Industrial Capability
Arquus operates five centers of excellence in Limoges, Saint-Nazaire, Garchizy, Satory, and Lisses. More than 2,000 employees handle production, integration, and support. Of the 25,000 Arquus vehicles in the French Army, 20,000 receive ongoing service from the company. This localized network ensures rapid logistics, parts availability, and reliable maintenance for active fleets.
German Engineering and Assembly Scale
Daimler Truck builds military vehicles in Wörth am Rhein (Germany) and Molsheim (France). Combined, these sites can produce hundreds of Zetros units monthly.
More than 3,000 people support Daimler’s French operations, and since 2008, the company has sold over 15,000 Zetros trucks worldwide. This shared capacity provides flexibility for urgent defense requirements and major procurement programs.
Strengthening Europe’s Defense Sovereignty
The cooperation supports Europe’s key defense goals: maintaining production inside EU borders, reducing reliance on external suppliers, and expanding Franco-German industrial cooperation. It also increases readiness and logistics resilience across NATO and EU structures. The Zetros by Arquus stands as a practical result of European defense collaboration built on tested technology and local capability.
Technical Overview
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Chassis | Mercedes-Benz Zetros 6x6 |
| Payload Capacity | Over 6 tons |
| Crew | 2 |
| Cab Options | Armored / Unarmored |
| Primary Missions | Logistics, troop transport, tactical deployment |
| Support Framework | Full in-service maintenance within France |
| Production Sites | Wörth am Rhein (Germany), Molsheim (France) |
Arquus: France’s Defense Backbone
Arquus provides most of the French Army’s wheeled vehicles, making it central to France’s defense logistics network. Its production sites design, assemble, and maintain armored and tactical vehicles. The company builds well-known models such as the SHERPA, VAB, and BASTION, all designed for operational endurance and fast deployment.
Now part of the John Cockerill industrial group, Arquus focuses on protected mobility and systems integration. Its HORNET division produces remote-controlled turrets for the SCORPION modernization program. The company supports about 30,000 vehicles worldwide, with 22,000 under direct maintenance contracts. This depth of experience positions Arquus as one of Europe’s most capable military vehicle service providers.
Daimler Truck: Engineering Strength Applied to Defense
Daimler Truck Holding AG, a leading global manufacturer of commercial vehicles, brings scale and process precision to the partnership. Its Zetros platform benefits from decades of heavy-duty truck design and mass production expertise.
Defense vehicles are built at Wörth am Rhein in Germany and Molsheim in France, where production capacity allows for rapid scaling when demand increases. The industrial base supports both civilian and military supply chains, ensuring delivery continuity during crises.
With more than 15,000 Zetros units in service worldwide, Daimler Truck contributes proven reliability and manufacturing strength to the Zetros by Arquus project.
Economic and Strategic Impact
For France, the partnership maintains domestic defense production and secures industrial employment. For Germany, it expands defense-sector participation and reinforces cross-border resilience. For Europe, it serves as a model of industrial cooperation that keeps supply chains local and responsive.
The Zetros by Arquus program brings clear benefits: European sourcing, scalable manufacturing, dependable support, and lower lifecycle costs for military operators.
Market Outlook
Demand for tactical mobility vehicles continues to rise as NATO and allied nations update equipment. Analysts project the 6x6 tactical truck market to exceed $1.2 billion USD by 2027. Countries already using Zetros trucks, including Canada and Ukraine, are expected to add Arquus integration kits to extend capability and protection.
Conclusion: Engineering for Results
The Zetros by Arquus reflects practical defense collaboration between France and Germany. Built on proven mechanical foundations and supported by local expertise, it delivers what modern armies need most: reliability, scalability, and serviceability.
In a defense market defined by urgency and accountability, this partnership offers a simple formula — design efficiently, build locally, and keep fleets operational.
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