DAF, Tatra, and VDL unveil heavy military logistics truck at BEDEX 2026
A new heavy military logistics vehicle, built on the Tatra Phoenix chassis and featuring an armored cab, will debut at the BEDEX 2026 defense exhibition in Brussels.
March 12–14, 2026
6x6
What Happened
From March 12 to 14, 2026, the first edition of BEDEX (Brussels European Defence Exhibition & Conference) will take place in Brussels, Belgium. At the exhibition, DAF Trucks, Tatra Trucks, Tatra Defence, and VDL Groep will jointly present the DAF Military 6x6 heavy logistics vehicle built on the Tatra Phoenix chassis. The vehicle features an armored cab with high ballistic and mine protection, designed for the Belgian Army.
Tatra Trucks supplies the chassis with its unique central backbone tube and independently air-suspended half-axles. DAF Trucks provides the powerpack and standard cab, Tatra Defence contributes armored cabin know-how and certification, and VDL Groep’s Belgian subsidiary manufactures a dedicated military CargoBody. This synergy ensures full compliance and significant localization for the Belgian market.
BEDEX 2026 focuses on strengthening European defense under the ReArm Europe plan, connections between Belgian and European companies, and institutions like NATO and the EU. This year’s themes include innovation in defense technologies, cybersecurity, drones, space security, and Ukraine’s defense transformation.
Why this matters
The collaboration between DAF, Tatra Trucks, Tatra Defence, and VDL Groep combines expertise to deliver a fully localized military logistics platform for the Belgian market, strengthening European defense supply chains.
Terms in This Story
- Backbone tube chassis
- A type of vehicle chassis that uses a central tube as the main structural component, often used in off-road and military vehicles for strength and durability.
- Half-axles
- Axles that are split into two independent halves, each supporting one wheel, allowing independent suspension movement.
- Armored cab
- A reinforced cabin designed to protect occupants from ballistic threats and mine blasts.
- Ballistic protection
- The ability of a material or structure to resist penetration from projectiles such as bullets or shrapnel.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.