France Taps Arquus, Daimler Truck to Supply 7,000 Military Trucks
The French Ministry of the Armed Forces has awarded Arquus, a John Cockerill company, and Daimler Truck a contract to supply 7,000 next-generation military trucks for the French Land Forces.
It covers the delivery of the PL6T (Porteurs Logistiques 6 Tonnes), or vehicles with a 6-tonne (13,227-pound) payload capacity, to modernize the military’s logistics and operational capabilities in high-intensity operations for the next 10 years.
The fleet will include multiple variants to meet tactical and logistical needs: troop carriers, transport vehicles, shelter trucks, crane-equipped models, and vehicles with winches, all customizable for mission-specific requirements.
Vehicles will be produced at Daimler facilities in Wörth am Rhein, Germany, and Molsheim, France, with final militarization, systems integration, and maintenance handled at Arquus sites in Limoges, Garchizy, and Saint-Nazaire, France.
The program represents a major European industrial partnership, combining Daimler Truck’s Zetros chassis, spare parts, and technical know-how with Arquus’ expertise in comprehensive fleet maintenance and lifecycle support.
Thierry Renaudin, CEO of John Cockerill Defense and President of Arquus, said the program provides the armed forces “with a new vehicle that meets the highest global standards and is designed for the most demanding environments.”
Meanwhile, Daimler Truck executives emphasized the importance of Franco-German industrial cooperation in delivering reliable solutions for the military.
Zetros by Arquus
Unveiled in October 2025, the “Zetros by Arquus” is a versatile tactical truck based on a three-axle Mercedes-Benz Zetros chassis combined with Arquus’ expertise in militarization and systems integration.
Daimler’s Zetros chassis was built with robustness, durability, and ease of maintenance for on- and off-road use.
They are equipped with a Mercedes-Benz OM 460 engine with Euro 3 certification, capable of running on low-quality fuels, and a fully automatic transmission with a torque converter.
The trucks’ low vehicle height improves mobility in forests, tunnels, and urban environments while enabling transport by air and rail, and facilitates the integration of protected cabs without reducing payload.
