First DAF CF military trucks delivered to Belgian army.

DAF Trucks on December 1 presented the first units of a series of 879 all-wheel-drive trucks to the Belgian Defense. Major General Thierry Esser, representing Minister of Defence Ludivine Dedonder, and Lieutenant General Frédéric Goetynck received the keys from Harald Seidel, President of DAF Trucks. The handover took place at DAF's axle and cab factory in Westerlo.
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Presentation of the first DAF CF 8x8 trucks delivered to the Belgian army on December 1, 2022 (Picture source: Belgian MoD)

The Belgian Defense order includes 636 4×4 trucks for general transport tasks, 243 8x8 trucks for specific applications (tipper, container transporter, and deployment requiring a crane). The total budget is 259 million euros. 40 percent of the vehicles will be equipped with an armored cab that provides high protection for occupants during military operations.

The delivery of the first 150 8x8 trucks to units of the Land Component (Motorized Brigade and Special Operations Regiment) and the Medical Component is in full preparation.

For CF military vehicles, DAF works closely with the well-known company Tatra Trucks in the Czech Republic. All the trucks use a unique chassis concept with a four-wheel-drive powertrain and a load-bearing center tube on which an independent suspension is mounted. The independent suspension, the special Tatra chassis and the central tire inflation system guarantee excellent off-road capabilities and exceptional driving comfort, even on the most difficult terrain. The trucks are equipped with a 10.8 liter Paccar MX-11 engine (on the 4×4 variant) or 12.9 liter Paccar MX-13 engine (on the 8×8 variant), with outputs ranging from 300 kW/410 hp to 340 kW/460 hp. The reduced height is also a major advantage. Even when carrying a 20ft sea container, it is still less than 4 meters.

“Made in Belgium” cabins

The Belgian Defense has paid particular attention to obtaining a minimal logistical footprint. All versions will have the same cab (armored or not) and the same 4×4 or 8×8 chassis. The production of the unarmored cabs of the CF military trucks will be carried out entirely at the DAF plant in Westerlo. Tatra Defense Vehices supplies the advanced protected cabins, the interior of which is also produced in Westerlo. Paccar engines come from the DAF factory in Eindhoven.

Global maintenance

The Belgian Defense and DAF will work closely together to maintain CF military vehicles, with the network of DAF dealers in Belgium – with designated support points in Houthalen and Grâce-Hollogne – playing a crucial role. For maintenance outside the Belgian borders, the DAF dealer network, which has more than 1,100 locations worldwide, is available, with the support of the DAF International Truck Service (ITS emergency service). For good parts availability, the DAF dealer organization can count on the support of Paccar Parts.

Ludivine Dedonder, Minister of Defence, said: “Well-developed logistics and transport capacity are essential to the success of military operations. With the arrival of these new transport vehicles, the Defense is taking another big step forward. These new vehicles are suitable for all areas of operations and are also literally a matter of life and death for our soldiers who risk their lives every day in the interest of our security. No less than 40% of the vehicles delivered are armored and provide vital protection to our personnel in operation. If necessary, other vehicles can also be equipped with such protection in the interest of our personnel. The fact that a large part of the production also takes place in Belgium obviously pleases me. After all, by working with Belgian companies on our strategic autonomy and the security of our military, we not only strengthen Defense, but also the country as a whole. »

Dependence on equipment

“In the toughest and most demanding conditions, an army wants to be able to rely on its equipment,” said Harald Seidel, Managing Director of DAF Trucks. “We are therefore proud that the Belgian army has chosen the unrivaled reliability and qualities of our Military CF trucks. The versatility of our vehicles underlines that DAF also offers an excellent transport solution for all military applications. The safety of our personnel and the reliability of our equipment are essential,” emphasizes Lieutenant-General Frédéric Goetynck, Director General of the General Directorate of Material Resources (DGMR).

As published by Army Recognition of December 7, 2021, in accordance with the Strategic Vision for Defense issued by the Belgian army on June 29, 2016, a tender had been issued for the replacement of the Mercedes Unimog 1300L 4x4 1.9T and the Volvo N10 6x4 trucks. DAF Trucks was declared the winner of the tender. DAF had selected HIAB as the supplier for all hooklift systems and load handling cranes and VS-Mont for the supply of tipper bodies. Cargo bodies will be produced by Porgest. In total, 352 CF trucks will come with a ballistic cab. Delivery of the first vehicles has taken place on December 1, 2022, as planned. The last vehicles should be produced in 2025.

Container transport variant of DAF CF 8x8 truck with armored cab, followed by the same variant but with unarmored cab, unveiled on July 19, 2022, at Peutie military barracks during the rehearsal of the Belgian National Day military parade (21 July)  (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Tipper variant DAF CF 8x8 with unarmored cab, followed by the same variant but with armored cab, unveiled on July 19, 2022, at Peutie military barracks during the rehearsal of the Belgian National Day military parade (21 July) (Picture source: Army Recognition)