Mercedes-Benz Zetros Explained

The Mercedes-Benz Zetros is an off-road truck for extreme operations. It was first presented at the 2008 Eurosatory defence industry trade show in Paris. The Zetros is manufactured at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth, Germany.[1] The truck is designed to be compatible with the C-130 Hercules transport and also fits into a standard German railway carriage.[2] In 2019 Mercedes-Benz presented a facelift of the Zetros with a more powerful engine and a bigger number of variants.[3]

Variants

The Zetros is available with an engine power of 360 hp (265 kW) up to 510 hp (375 kW) in all-wheel drive and non all-wheel drive versions:

Although normally used as a truck, the Zetros has also been put to work as an off-road tractor unit in the middle east.[5] German company Harald Bruhn also introduced a Zetros-based agricultural trailer truck as the Secutor.[6]

Technical characteristics

The facelifted Zetros has now one type of engine in all variants.

!Emission!Power [kW]!Power [hp]!Torque [Nm]
EU III2653601.800
EU III3104212.100
EU III3504762.300
EU V3304492.200
EU V3755102.400

Operators

Current operators

Algeria
  • Around 2 000 trucks are planned to be produced by the Algeria's National Company of Industrial Vehicles (SNVI) destined for the Algerian defence ministry.[7] Locally further developed into self-propelled artillery systems using the D-30 and T-12 gun systems.[8]
    Australia
  • The Zetros is used as a fertilizer spreader in the South East of South Australia. It is a 4x4 version operated by Crossling Contractors based in Naracoorte.
    Bulgaria
  • The Bulgarian army ordered the Zetros in 2009 to transport personnel and supplies.[9] As of 2012, it operates 335 trucks with 30 more on order.[10]
    Chile
  • In August 2016 Mercedes Benz has been awarded a contract to provide 330 trucks for the Chilean Army. The contract includes a batch of Zetros 2733 6x6 and Unimog U4000 4x4 vehicles.[11]
    Costa Rica
  • The first non military application of the Zetros 2733 was announced in June 2018 by the Costa Rican Firefighters as the organization acquired one. It will serve as transport for rescue crew and equipment in emergency situations as floods, hurricanes, storms, wild fires, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
    Finland
  • The Finnish Defence Forces have acquired Zetros trucks to replace outdated Sisu Auto vehicles for transportation of both personnel and explosives.,[12]
    Germany
  • The German army has ordered a total of 110 armoured Zetros vehicles, 72 of which are supposed to serve in logistics units.[13]
    Jordan
  • Germany donated 20 Zetros 2733 A 6x6 trucks and 50 Zetros 1833 A 4x4 trucks to Jordan in order to be used for the logistics of the Jordanian security agencies when caring for refugees.[14] [15]
    Lithuania
  • 8 Zetros 3643 6x6 tow trucks acquired in 2019 with Mercedes-Benz EMPL platform for PzH 2000 or Bergepanzer 2 transportation.[16]
  • 141 Zetros 2733 6x6 transport trucks equipped with cranes acquired in 2023, to be all delivered by 2030.[17] [18] [19]
    Mexico
  • The Mexican Army and Mexican Air Force have planned the purchase of 137 6x6 trucks, in three stages, beginning the first purchase of 46 in 2017. The Mexican Navy also operates an undisclosed number of Zetros trucks.
    Poland
  • 31 Mercedes Benz Zetros 3348 AS 6x6 with Dobrowolski DOB70W low bed semi-trailer with an option for 78 more sets ordered in October 2021 for tank transport duty. First 8 sets delivered by the end of 2023.[20]
    Saudi Arabia
  • Operated by the Saudi Arabian National Guard.
    Turkey
  • The Turkish Armed Forces use Zetros as HISAR O+ (surface to air missile system) carrier.[21]
    Ukraine
  • The Armed Forces of Ukraine have received 274 (as of January 2024) from Germany for use in Russo-Ukrainian war, with another 46 planned for delivery.[22]

    Future operators

    Canada (1,500)
  • The Canadian army selected GDLS-Canada representing the Power Team as bid winner for the LVM (Logistics Vehicle Modernisation) programme. The contract was signed in June 2024 with the Power Team which joins forces from Manac, Marshall Land Systems, Mercedes Benz and Soframe. The contract includes: [23]

    Possible operators

    Argentina
  • In 2016, Mercedes-Benz presents and exhibit the Zetros in the Directorate of Arsenals, the plant of the former TAMSE in Boulogne. As reported by the Defensa site, the Argentine Army is a former customer of Mercedes-Benz. The idea is that the Zetros can replace, in a gradual way, the current fleet of Unimog and MB 1114.[24]

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Daimler Trucks at a Glance . 2012 . 25 . Daimler . 25 April 2012 .
    2. Web site: Transportable . The New Zetros . Mercedes Benz . 25 April 2012.
    3. Web site: Zetros eBooklet - Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks World. 2022-02-06. Zetros eBooklet - Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks World. en.
    4. https://paul-nutzfahrzeuge.de/zetros-8x8-ta/?lang=en
    5. Web site: Mercedes' Middle Eastern Monster Mover—the Zetros 6x6 gets down to work on Biglorryblog!. Biglorryblog. 15 December 2012.
    6. https://www.truckanddriver.co.uk/latest-stories/don-t-say-zetros-say-secutor-the-latest-mercedes-agricultural-monster-mover-on-biglorryblog/ Don't say Zetros say Secutor! The latest Mercedes agricultural monster mover on Biglorryblog! - Truckanddriver.co.uk
    7. Web site: Algerian factory unveils new locally assembled truck for Algerian military. Defence Web. 22 June 2017. https://archive.today/20151009150440/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38381. 9 October 2015. 16 March 2015. dead.
    8. Web site: Binnie. Jeremy. Algeria displays locally developed self-propelled artillery. IHS Jane's 360. 6 July 2017. https://archive.today/20170706000423/http://www.janes.com/article/72018/algeria-displays-locally-developed-self-propelled-artillery. 6 July 2017. 4 July 2017.
    9. Армията се сдоби с Zetros . Bulgarian Transport Press . Bulgarian . 25 April 2012 . 4 . 29 January 2009.
    10. Web site: Dikov. Ivan. The Bulgaria 2011 Review: Defense. Novinite Sofia News Agency. 22 June 2017. https://archive.today/20120911054452/http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=135492. 11 September 2012. Sofia. 6 January 2012. dead.
    11. Web site: Porfilio. Gabriel. Chile to purchase more than 300 Mercedes Benz trucks. IHS Jane's 360. 22 June 2017. https://archive.today/20170622153132/http://www.janes.com/article/63282/chile-to-purchase-more-than-300-mercedes-benz-trucks. 22 June 2017. Orlando. 30 August 2017. dead.
    12. Web site: 2021-06-18 . Tuliterät maastokuorma-autot kuljettavat räjähteitä mutta myös ihmisiä - Ruotuväki . 2022-08-19 . ruotuvaki.fi . fi-FI.
    13. Web site: Ralf . Wilke . 25 November 2013 . 18 December 2013 . . German . Geschützter Transportraum . Protected transportation space . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130126042633/http://www.streitkraeftebasis.de/portal/a/streitkraeftebasis/!ut/p/c4/NYvBCsIwEAX_aDepFdGbsRevImi9SJqGurVNwjZGED_e5OAbmMvw8IYZpxMNOpJ3esIrtoZ23RuWZ3cP9IHFciIDms2DElRCrmDUDi_l2Vsw3tlYHK2LlD2wjp4heI5TKS_mXIB6bIVslKjFf_K7rTcHdV7XVXNUJwzzvP8BsADx5A!!/ . 26 January 2013 .
    14. Web site: Germany gives 126 Mercedes-Benz vehicles as aid to Jordan ConstructionWeekOnline.com. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180125100847/http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-47941-germany-gives-126-mercedes-benz-vehicles-as-aid-to-jordan/. 2018-01-25.
    15. Web site: Germany delivers Jordan €18 million in military equipment | DW | 14.01.2018. Deutsche Welle.
    16. https://kam.lt/en/heavy-duty-trucks-to-enter-service-with-the-lithuanian-armed-forces/
    17. Web site: 26 November 2019 . Lietuvos kariuomenėje bus naudojami didelės galios vilkikai . kariuomene.kam.lt . lt.
    18. Web site: Vilnius . Made in . 2023-05-08 . Kariuomenė perka daugiau nei 370 sunkvežimių . 2023-10-17 . MadeinVilnius.lt - Vilniaus naujienų dienoraštis . lt-LT.
    19. Web site: 2023-05-08 . Lithuanian military to buy 371 trucks for €216m . 2024-01-03 . lrt.lt . en.
    20. Web site: Nowe zestawy transportowe dostarczone. Przewiozą polskie czołgi [ANALIZA] ]. 2024-01-12 . Defence24 . pl.
    21. Web site: Turkey could deploy local-made air defense missile systems HISAR-A and HISAR-O in Syria | March 2020 News Defense Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2020 | Archive News year.
    22. Web site: Military support for Ukraine . 2024-01-20 . Bundesregierung . en.
    23. https://defence-blog.com/canada-invests-2-58-billion-in-new-logistics-vehicles/
    24. Web site: 19 July 2016 . Mercedes-Benz presentó el Zetros en el Ejército Argentino .

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