The Estonian Center for Defence Investment (ECDI) has handed over almost fifty newly acquired wheeled armored vehicles from Turkey to the 2nd Infantry Brigade. Most of these vehicles are 6×6 Arma armored vehicles for the infantry units, but the armed forces have also received 4×4 NMS armored vehicles, which will be used by the combat support units of the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigade. In addition, a smaller number of 4×4 armored vehicles were procured for the Estonian Rescue Agency.
The contracts for the armored vehicles have a term of ten years, so that additional vehicles and spare parts can be purchased if required. Provisions for the maintenance, repair and further development of these vehicles are also included.
The procurement of the new 4×4 and 6×6 armored vehicles was prepared and carried out in close cooperation between ECDI and the armed forces. “While weapon systems are often purchased as standard solutions, these armored vehicles were developed with the specific needs of the Estonian Armed Forces in mind, both in terms of interior and exterior. In Estonia, only the communication equipment and other necessary devices need to be installed,” says Marek Mardo, Strategic Category Manager (Air, Sea & Combat Vehicles) at ECDI.
The new armored vehicles offer members of the armed forces better protection against small arms fire, mines and shrapnel. In addition, the mobility of the units is improved, as the off-road mobility of the armored vehicles is significantly better than that of the previous infantry transport vehicles in the 2nd Infantry Brigade. The armored vehicles are armed with heavy 12.7-millimeter machine guns.
“Over the past few years, we have been fast-tracking the procurement of new capabilities for the Estonian Armed Forces, and the newly procured armored vehicles are an excellent example of how defense capability can be improved. They give our defenders the certainty that the equipment they use helps to save lives and they increase the conditions for better protection of Estonia,” said Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur.
He added: “I will soon submit proposals to the government on how to further strengthen Estonia’s defense capabilities to respond to the changing security situation.”
The first wheeled armored vehicles arrived in Estonia at the end of 2024, and the conscripts of the 2nd Infantry Brigade have already begun training on them. These vehicles will also be used in the large-scale exercise “Siil” in May. All the armored vehicles ordered are expected to arrive in Estonia by the end of this year.
Colonel Antti Viljaste, Commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, said of the new vehicles: “I am confident that both the armored vehicles and the other capabilities acquired for the 2nd Infantry Brigade and other Defense Force units will enable us to successfully defend Estonia against any adversary.”
In addition to the Defense Forces, the Ministry of Interior will also be equipped with four new 4×4 wheeled armored vehicles manufactured in Turkey. These vehicles will primarily be used by the bomb disposal units of the rescue service, but will also be available to the Police and Border Protection Department and the Internal Security Service if required.
Tuuli Räim, Deputy Secretary General for Crisis Preparedness and Civil Protection at the Ministry of the Interior, said: “The arrival of these armored vehicles in the Ministry of the Interior’s area of responsibility is a decisive step towards strengthening internal security. They will improve our preparedness for crisis situations and enable operations in high-risk environments and difficult terrain. They will also enable the safe transportation of specialist equipment and the evacuation of people from immediate danger zones.”
