Tatra Trucks is one of the key companies in the Czech defense industry. Thanks to their robust construction, high off-road capability, and reliability, Tatra vehicles and chassis are used by many armies around the world. The unique chassis design with a central load-bearing tube and swing axles is renowned for its excellent off-road capabilities, which are ideal for military use. Tatra vehicles are often equipped with armored cabins in accordance with NATO standards (STANAG 4569) and are compatible with transport in C-130 Hercules aircraft. The ratio of military to civilian production at Tatra Trucks is currently approximately 70/30.

This year's goals for Tatra Trucks are definitely not modest: the company wants to produce at least 1,750 vehicles, with orders for more than 2,200 units already on the books for 2026. By 2028, it wants to reach 2,500–3,000 vehicles, and from 2029 it plans to produce up to 3,300 vehicles per year, thus joining the ranks of the largest manufacturers of fully electric commercial vehicles in Europe. Military production, supported by proven cooperation with other companies within the Czechoslovak Group, in particular Tatra Defence Vehicle and Excalibur Army, already accounts for a significant share of Tatra Trucks' production, at almost three-quarters. In addition to its own chassis design with a central tube, Tatra Trucks has a competitive advantage in the market thanks to its own engines and transmissions. Growing global demand is both an opportunity and a challenge. Tatra Trucks is investing in the modernization of its production. This year, this includes new machine tools for the production of engines and transmissions. The construction of a new 17,000 m2 production hall is planned for 2026, which will significantly contribute to production efficiency. The existing premises will also be modernized. The total investment exceeds four billion Czech crowns.

Tatra vehicles form the backbone of the Czech Army's logistics capabilities with more than 3,500 trucks, including approximately 2,700 Tatra 815 models (4x4, 6x6, and 8x8 configurations) and over 600 Tatra Tactic vehicles (formerly Tatra 810). Specialized vehicles are also used, such as the vz. 77 DANA self-propelled howitzer on a Tatra 815 chassis, Tatra Force vehicles for mortar teams of mechanized battalions transporting 120 mm PRAM-L mortars, T-815/7 PVO vehicles designed to transport anti-aircraft units armed with RBS-70NG systems, as well as chassis for TITUS armored vehicles, which in their three versions (KOVS, KOVVŠ, and MKPP) have replaced the famous but hopelessly outdated Praga V3S vehicles.

The old MORUŠ jammers, also on the V3S chassis, have been replaced by the STARKOM system on the Tatra 8x8 chassis. Recent major orders also include deliveries of three types of Tatra T-815 vehicles (the Ministry of Defense may purchase up to 872 units by the end of September 2031 under a framework agreement), chassis for CAESAR 8x8 howitzers, which the army is currently awaiting, and MADR radars and SPYDER anti-aircraft missile systems, which are already being incorporated into the army's arsenal. The 10x10 chassis will also be used to transport LEGUAN engineering bridges, which the army needs to ensure the mobility of Leopard 2 tanks.

We cannot overlook projects that have not yet found application in the Czech Army. In 2020, an agreement was signed between the Czech company Tatra Export and the Polish industrial group Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) for the joint development of a 4x4 tactical armored vehicle based on the Patriot II prototype from Excalibur Army on the Tatra T815-7 Force chassis. This vehicle is designed as a command and reconnaissance vehicle for artillery and missile units, with potential for further specialized versions. In the Polish version, it bears the name of Colonel Ottokar Brzoza, is intended for the 14th Anti-Tank Artillery Regiment, and is armed with Brimstone anti-tank guided missiles. In the Czech Republic, the Patriot II is competing for the army's favor as part of an acquisition project for a universal wheeled platform. There is also the TADEAS 6x6 armored vehicle, the younger brother of the TITUS armored vehicle, whose development was completed this year by Tatra Defense Vehicle – negotiations are underway for licensed production in Poland.

It is impossible to imagine the logistics of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic functioning without Tatra trucks, which have more than 800 older Tatra 815 trucks in 6x6, 8x8, and 10x10 configurations, as well as more than 100 modern Tatra 815-7 trucks. In addition, Slovakia joined the aforementioned Czech contact for the purchase of new Tatras last December and plans to acquire up to 250 flatbed vehicles capable of transporting containers. Another very important European user of Tatra chassis has recently become the Belgian army. Tatra Trucks, in cooperation with DAF Trucks, is supplying chassis for 879 logistics vehicles (in 4x4 and 8x8 configurations) and nine heavy-duty 8x8 tractor units. Some of the vehicles are also equipped with armored cabs from sister company Tatra Defense Vehicle, which is located right next to Tatra Trucks in Kopřivnice. Tatra vehicles are also used by the Dutch army, which has six Tatra Phoenix vehicles in a Dutch configuration with a steerable rear axle for driver training and testing.

Other users include the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. In 2010, Tatra won a contract for 1,127 T 816 8x8 vehicles (LIWA project) with a liquid-cooled KHD Deutz engine and Twin Disc automatic transmission. Of course, India, where Tatra delivered 7,000 vehicles by 2012, including chassis for the Pinaka, Agnibaan and Smerch missile systems, radars for various purposes, 155 mm self-propelled howitzers and a long list of other types of equipment. Tatra vehicles and chassis can also be found in Jordan, Israel, Brazil, and Turkey. They are manufactured under license in Saudi Arabia, for example. The US Army uses Tatra Phoenix 6x6 vehicles for road maintenance and off-road work at the Grafenwöhr military training area in Germany. And when talking about Germany, we cannot overlook the recent significant order for the Bundeswehr fire brigade, which ordered 77 Tatra Force fire trucks. As part of deliveries to support Ukraine's defense, Tatra vehicles are also being deployed on the battlefield there – in addition to DANA, DANA M2, DITA, ZUZANA 2, and CAESAR 8x8 howitzers, RM-70 Vampire rocket launchers are also being used.

The above list is certainly not exhaustive, but it provides a vivid picture of how Tatra Trucks has been able to meet the most demanding requirements from all corners of the world, while remaining a reliable partner for domestic armed forces. It can offer them solutions in all areas of wheeled technology. These solutions are purely domestic, Czech, which guarantees security and stability of supply even in times of crisis.