Mercedes-Benz segment Daimler has received a 216-million-euro ($237 million) contract to supply utility trucks for the Lithuanian Army.
The agreement stipulates the delivery of 230 Arocs heavy-duty trucks and 141 Zetros off-road trucks equipped with cranes.
The German company is expected to ship the vehicles between 2023 and 2030.
“Modern military equipment allows our soldiers to better prepare for logistical operations and ensure the necessary mobility,” Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anušauskas said.
“From the lessons of the war in Ukraine, we know how important it is to have high-quality equipment capable of transporting the necessary equipment and ammunition to any point.”
Arocs and Zetros Trucks
Currently, the Lithuanian armed forces operate 25 Arocs special purpose trucks purchased in 2021.
Each Arocs unit can carry up to 17 tons of cargo and transport military capabilities such as PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer ammunition, containers, equipment, military supplies, and other vehicles.
Meanwhile, eight Zetros are already in-service with the army, each having different modifications. The truck can move cargo weighing up to 10 tons.
Once delivered, the Arcos and Zetros trucks will be deployed for logistics operations across the Lithuanian Army.
Some of the new vehicles will be integrated with load/unload capability and a specialized configuration for transporting salvo missile systems ammunition as well as other military equipment.
Additional Vehicles
Alongside the contract, the Lithuanian government is expecting 34 Unimog U500 tactical trucks from Mercedes-Benz this July.
Approximately 120 non-armored G-Class off-road vehicles will also be shipped to the country by the end of the year.