This isn’t a still from a post-apocalyptic movie, but a line-up of four brand new military trucks with a 4×4 drivetrain. Though these off-roaders are marketed as the DAF CF Military, the backbone of the vehicles comes from Tatra in the Czech Republic. And we all know what that means: yippee!
Truck makers Tatra and DAF joined forces in 2011. In that year, the Czechs introduced their new Phoenix series of heavy, all-wheel drive trucks and tractors with a DAF engine and tilt cab. And relevantly, both manufacturers also have a long history of building dedicated military vehicles.
In 2021, the Belgian Armed Forces placed an order for 879 DAF CF Military vehicles, 636 units with a 4×4 drivetrain and 243 8×8 trucks. Forty percent of the ordered vehicles will be equipped with an armored cab.
Unmistakably, this is the cab of the DAF CF-series Euro 6 (emission standards). The history of the CF tilt cab goes back to 1992, when the 65-/75-/85-series was unveiled. And speaking of DAF cabs, since 1966 they are built in the truck maker’s plant in Westerlo, Belgium.
The armored cab structures are produced by Tatra Defence Vehicles in the Czech Republic, the Belgians take care of the interior (dashboard and such).
The 4×4 vehicles are powered by a 410 DIN-hp, 10.8 liter MX-11 turbodiesel and will be used for all kinds of transport tasks. As can be seen in the picture, the cargo body is secured with twist locks (just like a shipping container) and can be put on and off the truck with a forklift.
I already mentioned Tatra’s backbone. Or more precisely, their famed central backbone tube. For taking a closer look at it, we’d better descend to ground level and inspect the tube from front- to backside.
The rigid backbone tube always comes with swinging half-axles. Superb off-road capabilities right there.
These four four by fours can be best described as a Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles.
Related article, a civilian 8×8:
Truck Show Outtake: 2019 Tatra Phoenix 8×8 Dump Truck – Bring It On!
They look beautiful like all European trucks. Not at Scania levels, but better than Americans.
Vulnerability to IEDs has led to most military trucks intended for tactical use to adopt some form a V-hull to deflect blasts from below. This one doesn’t seem to have that feature. Perhaps the unusual central tube provides enough added IED protection to avoid the need for further slope. Either that or this truck is intended to be strictly a support vehicle operated in areas relatively secure from any IED threat.