German industry turns to arms: Daimler Truck lands major military order

Daimler Truck, a German DAX-listed company, announced a major order at the start of the year to supply 7,000 military trucks to the French army in partnership with French military vehicle manufacturer Arquus. The contract, described by defense sales manager Daniel Zittel as "far more than just a contract," is expected to keep the plant in Rhineland-Palatinate busy for ten years. While Daimler has been building military vehicles for decades, many other German companies like VW and Porsche are now also entering the arms business as the economy weakens, exports stagnate, and production slows. The German government is promising billions in defense contracts, but the article questions whether this can truly save German industry.