TATRA introduced the T816 FORCE family in 1996 and the T815 ARMAX family in 1998 as part of the continued evolution of the T815 series introduced in 1983.

The FORCE family comprises purpose-designed trucks for military applications. The ARMAX family is based around commercially available designs, militarised as required but constructed to comply with all relevant legislation.

There are a number of common components shared by both designs, including the cab, torsionally rigid tubular backbone-type frameless chassis and the swinging half-axle independent wheel suspension system.

The FORCE family is powered by high power output (more than 400hp) water-cooled engine options including Cummins and Deutz, an MTU unit offered in the 135-tonne-plus GCW NET. Hub-reduction gearing and automatic transmissions are standard, usually Twin Disc units.

The ARMAX family is powered by EURO ll/lll emissions-compliant TATRA V-8 air-cooled diesel engines producing between 313hp and 408hp. Water-cooling is an option, with power outputs ranging from 265-350hp. The main gearbox is model-dependant and eitheraTATRA10TS130or10TS160 manual with 10 forward and two reverse gears, or a 14TS210L(T) with 14 forward and two reverse gears. A two-speed transfer box is standard; a single-speed unit is optional.

The most recent contract award to TATRA from the Czech government was for 633 ARMAX range trucks for delivery between 2003 and 2008. The overall contract value, including bodies and superstructures, is $206 million. The 4 x 4 and 6 x 6 chassis are involved, with the possibility of some 8x8 LHS-equipped chassis.

The use of a tubular chassis permits the TATRA design a degree of modularity and 10 x 10 (25.1 -tonne payload) and 12 x 12 (26.56-tonne payload) FORCE family chassis are in production. India is the likely customer, where such chassis could be used to mount the Smerch MRS (10x10) and PJ-10 BrahMos (12x12) surface-to-surface missile. India's Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML) is TATRA's largest military customer and has a licensing agreement to produce 4 x 4,6 x 6 and 8 x 8 T815 chassis.

A TATRA FORCE family design, the Medium Tactical Truck (MTT), to be assembled in the US by the American Truck Company (ATC), was selected by the IDF in 2003.