Ukraine has received a significant upgrade in its military capabilities with the delivery of more than 100 Mercedes-Benz Zetros trucks from Germany. The trucks are specially designed for off-road performance and can handle harsh terrain and extreme weather conditions. They will be used for various military support and transport tasks, such as moving troops, equipment, and supplies.
The Zetros trucks are part of a German government initiative to help Ukraine strengthen its defense and security sector, as well as its resilience against external aggression. The initiative is jointly overseen and implemented by the German Foreign Office and the German Ministry of Defense, which have been providing Ukraine with political, financial, and technical assistance since 2014.
The delivery includes different types of vehicles, such as chassis, tipper, and tractor, with gross vehicle weights ranging from 16.5 to 40 tons. Most of the vehicles have permanent all-wheel drive and are equipped with powerful diesel engines that deliver up to 326 horsepower. They also feature 16-speed transmissions and two-stage transfer cases that allow for high torque and traction. Additionally, they have differential locks, large slope and gradient angles, and a fording capability of up to 1.19 meters, enabling them to traverse soft ground, forest navigation, and steep terrain.
The Mercedes-Benz Zetros trucks are manufactured at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth, Germany, the largest truck assembly plant in the world. The plant has more than 120 years of experience and know-how in producing high-quality trucks for various applications, both civilian and military. The plant also follows strict environmental standards and uses renewable energy sources to reduce its carbon footprint.
Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks, a division of Daimler Truck AG, is also providing the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense with extensive services relating to the vehicles. These include driver training courses, spare parts logistics, maintenance and repair support, and communication technology integration. The services are aimed at ensuring the optimal performance and reliability of the vehicles in the long term.