The German government has quietly approved the purchase of more than 1,000 Mercedes-Benz Zetros military trucks for Ukraine, according to reports from Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ). The acquisition, arranged with Daimler Truck, enhances Kyiv’s logistics fleet and follows an earlier delivery of approximately 340 Zetros units since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Although Berlin has not made an official announcement, sources suggest the procurement is part of Germany’s classified defense support program for Ukraine, valued at hundreds of millions of euros. Daimler Truck has refrained from commenting, and officials have kept the program’s details under wraps. Deliveries are expected to take place in stages as manufacturing expands to meet the demand.
The Mercedes-Benz Zetros is designed for extreme operational environments, making it ideal for frontline logistics. Built by Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks, it serves multiple battlefield roles — from troop and cargo transport to medical evacuation. Its durability and adaptability have made it a trusted platform for over ten militaries worldwide.
The truck can carry up to 25 tons and comes in configurations from 4×2 to 8×8, powered by an Allison 4500SP diesel engine producing up to 510 horsepower. Supporting Euro III and Euro V emission standards, the Zetros can be fitted with manual, automatic, or hybrid transmissions and is now being adapted for drone-centric warfare scenarios.
