Mercedes-Benz presents Zetros 4051 AS 6x6 tank transporter for extreme desert operations.

At World Defense Show 2026, Mercedes-Benz presented the Zetros 4051 AS 6x6 configured as a tank transporter, alongside the Arocs 8x8, addressing military logistics requirements in arid and high-temperature conditions.

Mercedes-Benz took part in the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, presenting the Zetros 4051 AS 6x6 tank transporter and the Arocs 4663 AS 8x8 military logistic truck as part of the company’s wider military truck range and support offerings. The display reflected a broader military truck offer, ranging from Unimog to Arocs families, including options for local assembly, protected configurations, and sustained off-road operations, while a separate indoor booth was used for vehicle, service, and sales discussions.
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Powered by a 12.8-liter OM 460 diesel engine rated at 510 hp, the Mercedes-Benz Zetros 4051 AS 6x6 tank transporter has a permissible gross vehicle weight of 40 tons and a gross combination weight of up to 120 tons. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Mercedes-Benz participated in World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, held from February 8 to February 12, by displaying military logistics trucks intended for sustained operations in hot, dusty, and sandy environments. In the outdoor area at booth CY-J2.2, the company showed a Mercedes-Benz Zetros 4051 AS 6x6 tank transporter and a Mercedes-Benz Arocs 4663 AS 8x8, while booth H1-HO.1 was used for discussions related to vehicles, services, and sales. This presence reflected a military truck offer covering Unimog, Zetros, Atego, Actros, and Arocs families, with axle configurations from 4x2 to 8x8. The range includes options for protected and unprotected cabs, single or twin tires, and emission standards from Euro III to Euro VI.

The offer also includes chassis intended for protected superstructures and CKD component kits for local vehicle assembly, supported by assembly sites in Wörth am Rhein in Germany and Molsheim in France, as well as regional support and local assembly partnerships. Produced since 2008, the Zetros is positioned within Mercedes-Benz Defence Trucks' range as a bonneted off-road truck family developed for heavy logistics, towing, and tractor roles in terrain where paved infrastructure is limited or absent. Several Zetros tractor configurations are available in 6x6, 6x4, 4x4, and 4x2 layouts, with gross combination weight ratings reaching 120 t. All variants of the Zetros come with permanent all-wheel drive, a two-speed transfer case, and differential locks, enabling torque distribution across driven axles.

In terms of crossing, the Zetros' fording capability is listed up to 800 mm, allowing operations across water obstacles and flooded terrain, like the Unimog. The bonneted layout places the cab behind the engine, resulting in a lower overall vehicle height and a seating position behind the front axle, contributing to predictable handling under varying load conditions. The Zetros 4051 AS 6x6 shown at World Defense Show 2026 is derived from this baseline and was configured as a semi-trailer tank transporter for wheeled or tracked vehicles. In terms of size, the 4051 AS 6x6 measures 8.60 m in length, 2.86 m in width, and 3.50 m in height, with a wheelbase of 4,750 mm.

The 6x6 uses twin tires sized 14 R 20 and operates with a permissible gross vehicle weight of 40.0 t, while the axle load distribution attains 9.0 t on the front axle and 16.0 t on each of the two rear axles, for a total gross combination weight of up to 120 t. The 4051 AS 6x6 is powered by a Mercedes-Benz OM 460 Euro V diesel engine, a 12.8 l inline six-cylinder unit producing 375 kW/510 hp, which is coupled to an Allison 4500 SP fully automatic transmission equipped with a retarder. To support heavy towing loads and controlled speed management during descents, the Zetros 4051 AS 6x6 is fitted with mechanically locked differential locks on all axles, enabling traction management across the 6x6 layout.

A heavy-duty cooling system is included to maintain engine and driveline operating temperatures during sustained high-load operation in elevated ambient temperatures. To improve traction on soft ground, such as sand or mud, and reduce tire wear on harder surfaces, the Zetros 4051 AS 6x6 possesses a semi-automatic tire inflation system to adjust the pressure to terrain conditions. Fuel capacity totals 780 l, arranged as two 390 l tanks, extending operational range and reducing refueling frequency during long-distance or off-grid missions in heavy logistics convoys. Crew accommodation is provided by an M-cabin configured for one driver and two additional occupants, and includes one bunk bed to support rest during extended missions.

The cabin is specified with ample internal storage volume to carry crew equipment and supplies. A battery cut-off switch is installed to allow electrical isolation for safety and maintenance purposes. The bonneted design allows direct frontal access to the engine, simplifying inspection and servicing tasks and reducing the time required for routine maintenance in field conditions. In terms of equipment, the Zetros 4051 AS 6x6 is fitted with two towing eyelets and lugs at the front and two at the rear, supporting towing and recovery operations in multiple orientations. A cardanic fifth wheel enables coupling with heavy semi-trailers. The configuration includes two 25 t HPC hydraulic twin winches identified as TLS 225 new generation, as well as a storage compartment and two under-winch operator stands.

Two spare tires for the front and rear axles are carried and handled by an individual crane, allowing the vehicle to conduct loading, unloading, recovery, and basic self-support tasks within a single 6x6 tractor configuration. Compared with other heavy tank transporters that operate worldwide, the Mercedes-Benz Zetros 4051 AS 6x6 presents several potential advantages. Widely used by the United States, the Oshkosh M1070 is more powerful (up to 700 hp) and has a better road transport capacity thanks to its 8x8 configuration, but at the cost of a larger overall size and less off-road performance in challenging terrain. The Russian KamAZ-65225 is a 6x6 vehicle with a 400 hp engine and a gross weight of up to roughly 75 t, but the 4051 AS’s higher power output and 120 t gross combination weight rating can provide greater hauling capacity for heavier semi-trailers or larger equipment loads.

Against the Belarusian MZKT-74135, an 8x8 heavy transporter with a 796 hp engine and gross combination weights above 200 t intended for moving multiple tanks over long distances, the Zetros 4051 AS offers a smaller footprint and simpler logistic and maintenance profile where the extreme capacity of the 74135 is not required, potentially lowering lifecycle support burdens for forces not needing the highest strategic haul capacity. Finally, China Type 82/HY473 variants have a lower payload class and lower engine power than the Zetros 4051 AS, which gives the Zetros higher tow capacity and a larger permissible gross combination weight, even though both share a 6x6 configuration that improves off-road access and integration with heavy trailer loads.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.