TL;DRFour European automakers announced defence partnerships in one week. Ineos, Daimler, Mercedes, and Renault are retooling for military vehicles as EV demand fades.
Four European automakers announced military vehicle partnerships in the past week. Ineos is bidding for a UK Ministry of Defence contract. Daimler Truck launched a dedicated defence brand. Renault partnered with Thales for armoured vehicles. Mercedes-Benz teamed up with a German startup to build anti-drone platforms. The European car industry is retooling for rearmament.
Ineos Automotive said on Tuesday it has formed “Team Grenadier,” a consortium with armoured vehicle producers SMT Defence and NMS UK, to submit its 4×4 Grenadier for the MoD’s Light Mobility Vehicle tender. The Grenadier’s four-wheel drive, beam axles, and high payload capacity make it a platform for military adaptation across multiple roles.
On Monday, Daimler Truck created Daimler Truck Defence, backed by several hundred million euros in investment. CEO Karin Radstrom called defence a “key pillar” of the company’s growth strategy. The unit already has orders for 1,500 trucks from the Canadian military and 7,000 from France, and aims for EUR 1 billion in revenue by 2028. Approximately 1,000 employees work in the defence business, with plans to hire more.
