Scania competes in Belgian army tender to supply 879 trucks.

In accordance with the Strategic Vision for Defense issued by the Belgian army on June 29, 2016, a tender has been issued for the replacement of the Mercedes Unimog 1300L 4x4 1.9T and the Volvo N10 6x4 trucks.
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 Scania R460 8x8 logistic truck, the model selected to compete in the heavy truck category for the Belgian army where it will replace the Volvo N10 6x4 (Picture source : Scania)

The 636 light trucks would be Scania model P360 in a high mobility 4x4 chassis configuration. These trucks will be fitted with a Scania 13-liter 6-cylindres developing 360hp. All 636 chassis will be identical. Only the execution of the mission specific body components is different. They will get 3 different bodies. The 243 heavy truck would be Scania model R460 in a high mobility 8x8 chassis configuration. They will be fitted with a Scania 13-litres 6-cylindres developing 460hp. All 243 chassis will be identical with a container lifting and handling system. Different types of container systems and containers are included in the delivery.

To make it short, the breakdown of the 879 trucks is as follows:
1) 636 light 4x4 trucks:
1) 410 light trucks transporting 10 ft container;
2) 174 light trucks with cargo superstructure;
3) 52 light trucks with crane and cargo superstructure.

2) 243 8x8 heavy trucks:
1) 171 heavy 20 ft container transporter trucks;
2) 52 heavy trucks with crane and cargo superstructure;
3) 20 heavy duty Dump trucks.

The chassis of light and heavy trucks will come from the same manufacturer. The air transportability of vehicles in the Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft is mandatory. Light and heavy trucks will not be exceptional transport, in accordance with the Royal Decree of March 15, 1968. Light trucks transporting 10 ft containers and with cargo superstructure will have a payload of at least 6 tonnes. Light trucks with crane and superstructure will have a payload of at least 4.5 tonnes. Heavy 20 ft container transporter trucks will have a payload of at least 16 tonnes. Heavy trucks with crane and cargo superstructure will have a payload of at least 12 tonnes. Heavy Dump trucks will have a payload of at least 14 tonnes.

All vehicles must have optimal mobility on roads and off-road. A Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) by the axles (therefore not external) will be fitted to all light and heavy trucks.

Scania provides trucks with engines rated for NATO fuel as well. The power/weight ratio of light trucks will be a minimum of 11, and 9 for the heavy trucks.

Light trucks can accommodate a crew of at least 2 people (driver and attendant). Heavy trucks can accommodate a crew of three (driver, attendant and passenger). Regarding protection, initially, only 40% of the fleet will be equipped with an armored cabin. However, the entire fleet must, during its life cycle, be able to be equipped with permanent armor by subsequent installation of an armored cabin.

Scania’s complete offering is based on its modular NCG model range. Providing the customer with a huge commonality of components through the complete fleet. Driver interfaces are the same. Since most of the components are identical, the customer will benefit of the strongly reduced logistic footprint supporting the fleet when deployed. Training of operators and mechanics can be reduced dramatically providing considerable economies and countering the limited number of available mechanics.

The complete fleet is suitable to be used on jetfluel and other lower quality fuels when needed, despite being equipped with a driveline issued from the latest generation of diesel engines (EURO 6).

Scania is a wellknow leading manufacturer of heavy-duty commercial vehicles, buses and coaches and industrial and maritime engines employing nearly 50.000 employees worldwide, spread over 100 countries. 1,400 of them work in Belgium. Scania Belgium was founded in 1955, then named Etablissements Arthur Denonville, later changed to Scania Belgium. Since 2008, the head office for Benelux is located in Breda (Netherlands).

Dutch Army’s mechanics allowed to do 1-year traineeships in Scania workshops, where they also work on civilian vehicles, so gaining a lot of experience on vehicles in a shorter period of time. In the future, Scania could send its own mechanics with reserve status to external mission areas where Dutch army contingents will be deployed. In the future, the manufacturer could further cooperate with the Belgian Defense and help the latter achieve its objective to attract and keep talents in the army..

In 1998, Scania handed over the first NATO-specified truck to the Belgian Army. Since then, maintenance of Belgian army’s Scania trucks is carried on with the manufacturer's assistance. Hence the relevant participation of Scania to the new tender.