Daimler Truck is preparing to make a stronger move into the defense sector as the German commercial vehicle giant searches for new growth beyond its traditional truck and bus business.
The company confirmed that it will bring all of its global defense activities together under a new brand called Daimler Truck Defense. This step gives the division a clearer identity and makes it easier for the group to present its military vehicle business to customers around the world.
For Daimler Truck, defense is becoming an important long-term opportunity. The company is targeting €1 billion in defense revenue by 2028. While this remains small compared with the group’s total revenue of about €49.5 billion in 2025, it still shows how serious Daimler Truck is about growing in this field.
Dennis Kinzelsman, head of Daimler Truck Defense, said the division generated several hundred million euros in revenue last year. At the moment, military vehicles still account for only a limited share of Daimler Truck’s overall sales. Most of the company’s revenue continues to come from regular trucks and buses, which remain the core of its business.
To support the next phase of growth, Daimler Truck plans to expand its development, production, sales, and service operations. The company already has around 1,000 employees working in its defense business, and this number is expected to rise as demand increases.
A key role will be played by the company’s site in Wörth am Rhein, located in Germany’s Rhineland-Palatinate region near Karlsruhe. Daimler Truck plans to add more than 100 new employees there, especially as it looks for workers with specialized technical skills.
The company’s defense ambitions will not be limited to Mercedes-Benz Trucks. Daimler Truck also owns other brands, including Western Star in North America and BharatBenz in India. This gives the group a broader base for future military vehicle projects across different markets.
Overall, Daimler Truck is not moving away from its core business. Instead, it is using its truck expertise to build a stronger position in a sector where demand is expected to grow.
