Ford Motor Co. is competing for what could become its largest military contract in decades as it seeks to build a new tactical truck for the U.S. Army.

The automaker has secured a Department of War contract to develop three prototypes based on its F-Series Super Duty pickups, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

The competition comes as the Pentagon turns to automakers to help replenish and modernize military equipment strained by global conflicts, according to the outlet. That backdrop helps explain why the program is drawing interest from companies better known for civilian trucks: the Army is looking at commercial manufacturing scale, service networks and durability as it weighs options for a vehicle that would have to perform in demanding conditions.

"We are excited to start work on this Army contract and look forward to delivering several incredibly capable vehicle types that demonstrate the value Ford can provide to the Army and soldiers," a Ford spokesperson told FOX Business in an email.

The spokesperson said Ford’s Super Duty trucks are engineered for "extreme durability" and demanding conditions, making them an "ideal platform" for military use.

Ford Pro also provides global service and parts support, along with technology designed to improve vehicle uptime, the spokesperson said.

"Ford’s off-the-shelf solutions can deliver unmatched capacity and scale, cutting-edge technologies, and the rugged capabilities that can offer game-changing value and performance and meet the needs of governments and the military in a highly cost-effective way just as we do with our commercial customers," the spokesperson said.

The move places Ford in competition with General Motors (GM), which is also developing a similar tactical truck.

GM unveiled its prototype in 2024, and the military has begun field testing it, according to The Wall Street Journal. With multiple automakers now in the prototype phase, the Army’s evaluation process is likely to focus on whether these platforms can adapt existing truck architectures to military requirements without sacrificing reliability or supportability.

In addition to the two automakers, the Army has awarded a prototype contract to BC Customs LLC, a Utah-based off-road vehicle manufacturer, according to The Detroit News.

For Ford, the program could represent its largest military vehicle opportunity since the Cold War, the outlet reported.

In May, Ford said it had been in discussions with governments in North America and Europe about using its commercial vehicles and software to support defense needs. The company said some governments already use Ford vehicles for military transport and security operations.

The Department of War referred FOX Business to the U.S. Army, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.