Modern logistics vehicle delivered by a joint project between DAF Trucks, Tatra Trucks, Tatra Defence and VDL Groep will be unveiled at BEDEX 2026

10.3.2026

From March 12 to 14, the first edition of BEDEX 2026 (Brussels European Defence Exhibition & Conference), focused on defense and security, will take place in Brussels, Belgium. At the exhibition, Dutch truck manufacturer DAF Trucks, Czech companies Tatra Trucks and Tatra Defence, together with the Dutch high tech manufacturing company VDL Groep, will jointly present for the first time the result of their cooperation: the heavy military logistics vehicle DAF CF Military built on the Tatra Phoenix platform, designed for the Belgian market.

In recent years, DAF Trucks, in cooperation with Tatra Trucks, through its subsidiary Tatra Export, was awarded a tender issued by the Belgian Army for logistics and special vehicles, delivering hundreds of DAF CF Military vehicles in 4x4 and 8x8 configurations, developed on the Tatra Phoenix platform. Building on this success, a new project for the Belgian market has been launched through the collaboration between DAF Trucks, Tatra Trucks, Tatra Defence, and VDL Groep. At BEDEX 2026, experts and the public alike will be able to see the result of this project in the form of a heavy-duty DAF CF Military 6x6 logistics vehicle featuring an armored cab with a high level of ballistic and mine protection, based on the Tatra Phoenix model line.

Tatra Trucks is responsible for supplying the chassis featuring its unique design concept, including a central backbone tube and independently air-suspended half-axles. DAF Trucks supplies the powerpack and standard cab for the project, Tatra Defence provides the technological know-how and certification for armoured cabin production, while VDL Groep’s Belgian subsidiary handles parts manufacturing, integration, and final vehicle assembly in Belgium. Due to the development and manufacturing synergies of all the participating companies, this vehicle provides a fully compliant platform and a significant level of localization for the Belgian market.

The BEDEX exhibition focuses on the strategic strengthening of European defense (ReArm Europe plan) and on fostering connections between Belgian and European companies within the European defense ecosystem, as well as with institutions such as NATO and the EU. The main themes of this year’s edition include innovation in defense technologies, cybersecurity, drones, space security, and the transformation of the Ukrainian defense sector.