French defense vehicle manufacturer Arquus and Germany’s Daimler Truck have announced a strategic partnership to supply new military trucks to the French armed forces.
Revealed on Thursday, the collaboration will combine the strengths of both companies in joint vehicle development, production, sales, and after-sales services, with a primary goal of modernizing the French Army’s logistics truck fleet.
The alliance comes as Europe ramps up defense spending and faces growing concerns about defense sovereignty and dependence on U.S. technology. Both companies highlighted their strong local presence—Arquus manufactures exclusively in France, while Daimler operates a plant near the French border.
Arquus, now part of the John Cockerill group, produces 90% of the French Army’s wheeled vehicles and has extensive experience in protected mobility and systems integration. Daimler Truck, one of the largest global commercial vehicle producers, brings significant industrial scale, with production facilities in France and Germany.
Company executives emphasized the alignment of their products and corporate cultures, aiming to contribute to the defense capabilities of both nations. Production will be split between Arquus sites in Garchizy and Limoges, and Daimler Truck facilities in Wörth am Rhein and Molsheim in Alsace.
The partnership is expected to strengthen national industrial bases and protect jobs—an important political factor as Europe’s rearmament revitalizes automotive manufacturing sectors.