The Middle East represents an important market for German truck manufacturer Mercedes-Benz, which exhibited four truck types at IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi from 17-21 February. On display were a Zetros 2036 A 4×4, Zetros 3351 AS 6×6, Arocs 4042 AS 6×6 heavy-duty tractor, and an FGA chassis.
Mercedes-Benz has a regional service and distribution centre in Dubai to service numerous customers throughout the Middle East.
Although not exhibited at IDEX, Mercedes-Benz introduced within the past few months its first armoured cab for the popular Zetros. Demand for protected cabs was one trend observed by Lukas Hettmannsperger, spokesman for Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks.
The automaker can already integrate various protected cabs from other manufacturers, but it now conveniently offers customers its own product direct from its Wörth plant.
The Zetros is the firm’s most popular military truck in the Middle East region, thanks to its off-road performance.
In mid-2024, Mercedes-Benz announced an 8×8 version of the Zetros to complement its 4×4 and 6×6 variants. Available from 2025, the 11.15m-long 8×8 comes in two configurations – one front axle and three at the rear (the rearmost axle is steerable to reduce the vehicle’s turning circle), or twin axles front and rear. The 8×8 version possesses a creditable 25-tonne payload capacity.
The 8×8 was developed to meet Canadian requirements. Indeed, the company was awarded a Canadian contract last year for more than 1,000 Zetros 4×4 and approximately 500 8×8 trucks.
Speaking to Asian Military Review, another trend highlighted by Hettmannsperger is a requirement for trucks with higher payloads. This includes off-road trucks, as well as tractor-trailer units that must move increasingly heavy armoured vehicles.
The company’s spokesperson noted there is growing demand from militaries for its trucks. Indeed, Franziska Cusumano, Head of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks, commented, “Step by step, we are expanding our business in the defence sector. We’ve developed a clear strategy for this following the motto ‘grow and invest’. The contracts concluded and the vehicles handed over in large numbers last year underline that our logistics solutions are tailored to the needs of different customers and their various deployment scenarios.”
Mercedes-Benz has also delivered more than 100 trucks to Ukraine to assist its defence against Russia. These comprise Zetros and Arocs types.
In terms of power trains, Hettmannsperger said there are no plans to introduce hybrids or electric-powered trucks. There is no demand from militaries for alternative propulsion units, so diesel will remain the staple.
Mercedes-Benz offers Euro VI engines on its trucks, though not yet on the Zetros. Meanwhile, it is developing Euro VII-compliant engines for the European market. In other regions such as Asia and the Middle East, Euro III and V engines are more popular.
The FGA 4×4 chassis, also exhibited at IDEX 2025, forms the popular basis for armoured personnel carriers manufactured by third parties. The FGA, derived from the Unimog, can support protected hulls weighing up to 14.8 tonnes.
by Gordon Arthur, Abu Dhabi
