Turkey completes delivery of first 50 4×4 and 6×6 armored vehicles to the Estonian Defence Forces

As part of an official ceremony, Turkey completed the delivery of the first 50 4×4 and 6×6 armored vehicles intended to equip the Estonian Defence Forces, specifically the 2nd Infantry Brigade and the Rescue Department. This was reported by the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) on March 11, highlighting that the armored vehicles meet the specific requirements of the military forces. In this regard, Marek Mardo, head of the combat, air, and naval vehicles category (RKIK), stated that “in Estonia, only communication equipment and other devices remain to be installed.”

In 2023, the ECDI formalized agreements with Turkish companies Nurol Makina and Otokar to supply the forces with 230 4×4 and 6×6 armored vehicles, with a government investment of around 200 million euros. However, it is worth noting that these agreements have a duration of 10 years, allowing for the additional purchase of vehicles and spare parts. The 4×4 NMS vehicles are provided by Nurol Makina, while the 6×6 ARMA vehicles are supplied by Otokar. As scheduled, the first units were delivered at the end of 2024, and brigade personnel are already undergoing training, with plans to use them in the “Siil” exercise in May.

This decision is part of the need to accelerate the acquisition of new capabilities to protect forces against firearms, mines, and projectiles. In this regard, Colonel Antti Viljaste, commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, commented: “I am extremely pleased that our soldiers are much better protected with the new armored vehicles and therefore more capable of performing their tasks,” adding, “I am confident that the armored vehicles and other capabilities acquired for the 2nd Infantry Brigade, as well as for other units of the Defence Forces, will enable us to successfully defend Estonia from the enemy.”

The contract divided the vehicles into two categories: the 4×4 armored vehicles will be used by smaller teams within the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigades, while the 6×6 wheeled armored combat vehicles (WACVs) will serve as personnel carriers for the 2nd Infantry Brigade. Elaborating further, the March 11 statement emphasized that the new vehicles improve unit maneuverability, as their off-road capability is significantly superior to that of the trucks previously used by the 2nd Infantry Brigade. Additionally, these vehicles are armed with 12.7 mm heavy machine guns.

Furthermore, four new Turkish-made 4×4 wheeled armored vehicles will also be added to the Ministry of the Interior. These will be assigned to the Rescue Board’s demining teams, although they may also be used by the Police and Border Guard Board, as well as by the Security Police Board, if necessary.