By the mid-1960s, as a result of high-level negotiations between Austria and France 150 French Berliet trucks were delivered to the Austrian Army as compensation for lumber exports. They were intended as replacement for the aging Gräf & Stift trucks, since they were imported and type-certified via the Gräf & Stift organization they were sometimes even referred to as “Gräf & Stift” as well.
While they provided very good off-road capabilities, creature comforts for the driver were definitely not up to standard in the early 1970s. The original Army requirement called for a minimum engine output of 150 HP, however the Berliet engine only provided 135 HP. To satisfy the requirements, all certification documents showed 150 HP.
These vehicles were issued to the Air Defense Regiments as tractors for the 4-cm Bofors AA gun as well as generators and radar trailers und for many years became characteristic for the Army Airfields.
As we could not identify this vehicle’s original unit designations anymore, it now carries the tactical markings of the Army Driving School as on a picture from the initial trials..
