Germany has discreetly procured more than 1,000 Mercedes-Benz Zetros trucks for Ukraine, aimed at strengthening the country’s military transport and logistics infrastructure, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) reported. The arrangement with Daimler Truck follows earlier deliveries of around 340 vehicles since the start of the Russian invasion. Though unannounced, FAZ indicated that the acquisition is financed by the German government under its classified aid program for Kyiv, and could be worth several hundred million euros, marking one of Berlin’s largest defense vehicle deals. Deliveries are slated to roll out gradually as manufacturing output scales up.
Produced by Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks, the Zetros is built for rugged terrain and frontline operations, capable of carrying up to 25 tons (55,116 lbs) of cargo, personnel, or medical evacuations. In use by more than ten armed forces worldwide, the platform is now being adapted for modern combat, including counter-drone operations. Offered in 4×2 through 8×8 configurations, it delivers up to 510 horsepower from an Allison 4500SP diesel engine, compliant with Euro III/V standards and available with multiple transmission options to meet diverse mission needs.
