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. The truck is designed to be compatible with the C-130 Hercules transport and also fits into a standard German railway carriage. In 2019 Mercedes-Benz presented a facelift of the Zetros with a more powerful engine and a bigger number of variants.

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:

• Chassis, Tipper or Tractor
• 4x2, 4x4, 6x4, 6x6, 8x8

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

Technical characteristics

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

• Engine: 12.816 cc inline 6 cylinder diesel

• Transmission: 16 speed manual transmission with shift lever, controlled via control cable, pneumatic power-assisted
• mechanical differential locks on front and rear axles and in the transfer case
• Top speed: 55 mph
• fording depths up to 0.8m

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. Locally further developed into self-propelled artillery systems using the D-30 and T-12 gun systems.

 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. As of 2012, it operates 335 trucks with 30 more on order.

 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.

 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The Finnish Defence Forces have acquired Zetros trucks to replace outdated Sisu Auto vehicles for transportation of both personnel and explosives.,

 Germany

The German army has ordered a total of 110 armoured Zetros vehicles, 72 of which are supposed to serve in logistics units.

 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.

 Lithuania

8 Zetros 3643 6x6 tow trucks acquired in 2019 with Mercedes-Benz EMPL platform for PzH 2000 or Bergepanzer 2 transportation.

141 Zetros 2733 6x6 transport trucks equipped with cranes acquired in 2023, to be all delivered by 2030.

 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.

 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.

 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.

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:

• 1,000 light trucks
• 500 heavy trucks

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.

References

External links

• Zetros Official Site