OTTAWA — The Canadian Defence Ministry has ordered 82 Mercedes-Benz Actros transport trucks, with an option for another 26 units of the same model.

The four-axle all-wheel-drive chassis from the Mercedes-Benz Actros model series are fitted with a specially armoured cab that helps to provide an exceptionally high level of protection for the Canadian soldiers from mines, hostile fire and roadside bombs during missions.

The “Armoured Heavy Actros” trucks come in numerous body variants and are ideally suited to a wide range of applications in unstable crisis areas, the company says.

According to the Canadian military, the vehicles offer soldiers state-of-the-art protection against ballistic and blast threats. These cabs minimise the impact of mines, hostile fire and roadside bombs.

Around the world, Actros trucks are in operation in haulage and heavy-duty construction, as well as logistics operations with over 50 armies worldwide.

The economical high-torque engines in the 500 series produce 503 hp. The 16-speed transmission and the permanent all-wheel drive with differential locks on all axles also ensure the Actros keeps going however adverse the conditions.

It’s said to be extremely mobile even on very difficult terrain and can cope with uphill gradients up to 70 percent or a lateral incline up to 30 percent, which make sit a good fit for Afghanistan operations. The truck will even ford water courses with a depth of 750 mm, and even up to 1200 mm with special equipment. Depending on the version, the tyre pressure can be adjusted from the cab to increase traction in desert regions and mud in particular.