Military Logistics Platform Renewal with Zetros-Based Truck Fleet

The French Ministry of the Armed Forces has awarded the PL6T (Porteurs Logistiques 6 Tonnes) logistics vehicle programme to a consortium formed by Arquus (a John Cockerill Defense company) and Daimler Truck. The contract covers qualification and delivery of 7 000 new generation tactical and logistical trucks for the French Land Forces. The vehicles are intended to replace older fleets and support operational logistics and mobility requirements over more than ten years.

Strategic relevance and competitive positioning
This programme addresses an extended need to modernise France’s army logistics in a context of evolving operational demands and increased emphasis on high-intensity joint operations. The awarded consortium combines French systems integration and militarisation expertise from Arquus — a long-established supplier to French forces — with Daimler Truck’s established heavy off-road truck platform: the Mercedes-Benz Zetros.

The cooperation reflects broader European industrial collaboration, leveraging cross-border manufacturing and support capabilities. Production of the baseline chassis for all variants will take place at Daimler Truck facilities (Germany and France), while militarisation, protected cab integration, acceptance testing and lifecycle support will be executed in French facilities, contributing to national industrial capacity and support infrastructure.

“Zetros by Arquus”: platform and capabilities
The selected family of vehicles, marketed as Zetros by Arquus, is based on Daimler’s robust three-axle Mercedes-Benz Zetros chassis, designed for on- and off-road missions. The architecture emphasises durability, ease of maintenance, and logistic commonality, facilitating operator training and field support across a large fleet. The cab-behind-engine configuration aligns with established French Army truck design practices, improving load distribution and payload capacity.

All vehicles are fitted with the Mercedes-Benz OM 460 Euro 3 engine and a fully automatic transmission with a torque converter, supporting operations on lower-grade fuels and ensuring reliable performance across demanding environments. The relatively low vehicle profile supports strategic and tactical mobility, simplifies transport by air or rail, and enables protected cab integration without compromising payload.

Variants, mission adaptability and lifecycle support
The programme includes diverse configurations tailored to mission roles. These encompass troop transport, general logistics, shelter carriers, crane-equipped trucks and units fitted with winches, all with modular options for specific logistical tasks. The focus on a common chassis family reduces complexity in maintenance and parts provisioning, lowering total lifecycle costs.

Comprehensive maintenance and lifecycle support for the fleet will be provided by Arquus in France, utilising its operational experience with military vehicles. Daimler Truck will supply spare parts and technical expertise related to the core vehicle platform, underpinned by its global service network and local support footprint in France.

Industrial footprint and long-term support infrastructure
The industrial model balances cross-border production with domestic French industrial engagement. Basic vehicle manufacturing occurs at Daimler Truck’s facilities in Wörth am Rhein (Germany) and Molsheim (France). Final militarisation, systems integration and fleet support are carried out at established Arquus sites in Limoges, Garchizy and Saint-Nazaire, supporting thousands of local jobs and preserving national defence vehicle expertise. A broad service network across France enables sustained operational readiness for the delivered trucks.

Context within European defence logistics vehicle markets
The Zetros by Arquus solution offers a balance of proven commercial heavy-duty vehicle architecture and bespoke military adaptation. Its competitive strength stems from leveraging an established global truck platform with extensive field proven performance, together with tailored militarisation and support services responsive to French Army requirements. This integrated industrial approach positions the consortial offer strongly against alternatives by other European and global suppliers, particularly in terms of sovereign industrial participation, support infrastructure, and total lifecycle accessibility.

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