Daimler Truck chief Karin Rådström said in Frankfurt that investing more in defence will spill over into its commercial arm. The German manufacturer is targeting a €1bn defence revenue by 2028, two years ahead of its earlier 2025 goal.

In June the group pledged a mid‑three‑digit‑million‑euro investment to broaden its military portfolio and expand beyond Europe. Rådström noted that defence forces need rapid capacity, something Daimler can deliver thanks to its large‑scale production.

Autonomous technology is a key link. Militias seek remote trucks to cut manpower—currently 40 % of trucking costs. Removing that share could let fleets run 24 h, a huge lever for profitability and also a learning ground for civilian platooning and remote control.

The company plans to deliver autonomous trucks in the US next year, with a full rollout by 2028. Rådström praised defence start‑ups for their fast software cycles, which Daimler hopes to replicate to accelerate innovation in its commercial sector.