Estonia turns to Turkey for light armoured vehicles
Estonia will expect to begin receiving NMS 4x4 vehicles in 2024. (Image: NMS)
Estonia has ordered light armoured vehicles from Turkey which will provide a substantial boost to the country’s forces at brigade level.
Estonia has ordered 4x4 and 6x6 armoured vehicles worth €200 million (US210.6 million) from two Turkish companies with first deliveries expected to arrive in 2024.
The breakdown of 230 vehicles ordered was not disclosed but vehicles included within the deal were 4x4 NMS/Yörük from Nurol Makina and 6x6 Arma from Otokar .
The new armoured vehicles will be acquired for the 2nd Infantry Brigade of the Defence Forces, which has not previously had wheeled armoured vehicles. The brigade will receive NMS and Arma vehicles, while the 1st Infantry Brigade will receive NMS vehicles. Additionally, four-wheeled armoured vehicles have been purchased for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Centre of the Estonian Rescue Board.
The contract included the vehicles, documentation, training, special tools and equipment, and spare parts. These contracts can also be used to request services for the maintenance, repairs and development of the vehicles.
The contract featured an option for additional vehicles which would be adapted to the specific needs of the Estonian defence forces, and certified for protection against both small arms fire and mine blasts. The vehicles will be equipped with a smoke grenade launcher and a 12.7mm heavy machine gun mounted on the roof turret.
Alongside the order, Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur and Turkish Minister of Defence Yaşar Güler signed a Letter of Intent, establishing the basis for defence industry cooperation between the two countries.
Additionally, an agreement for cooperation was signed between the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments and the Turkish Defence Industry Agency to ensure secure supplies of armoured vehicle-related materials and services, as well as the joint organisation of training and development activities.
Shephard Defence Insight noted a unit price for NMS of $500,000 and vehicles have been in service with Qatar, Chad and possibly Hungary.
Shephard Defence Insight also noted a unit price of $884,000 for Arma, which has provided protection against ballistic and mine threats by means of a monocoque V-shaped high-hardness steel hull.
More from Land Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: Polaris displays new all-terrain vehicle with Alakran mortar system]()
DSEI 2025: Polaris displays new all-terrain vehicle with Alakran mortar system
The Polaris Government and Defense’s Military RZR (MRZR) Alpha 1KW was displayed at the Modern Day Marine exposition in the US earlier this year and with the Alakran mobile mortar weapon system at DSEI. The company outlined recent firing trials with the Alakran mobile mortar weapon system (MMWS) which was weeks after the company announced a major NATO deal.
-
![DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer]()
DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer
Thales launched Storm-H in 2012 as an EW system equipping individual dismounted troops, and a decade later revealed details to develop the improved and more powerful Storm 2.
-
![The integration between drones and land vehicles is accelerating]()
The integration between drones and land vehicles is accelerating
Drones and military ground vehicles are increasingly being designed to operate together as a single platform or even to convert crewed systems to automated ones.
-
![Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system]()
Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system
The acquisition, which is part of the country’s broader defence package worth DKK58 billion (US$9.2 billion), goes against the grain with many other European countries opting for the US’s popular Patriot platform.
