On March 11, 2025, the Estonian Defence Investment Centre delivered nearly 50 Turkish wheeled armored vehicles to the 2nd Infantry Brigade. The majority are Arma 6×6 armored vehicles designated for infantry units, while NMS 4×4 armored vehicles were allocated to combat support units in both the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigades. A smaller number of 4×4 armored vehicles were also procured for the Rescue Board. The first vehicles arrived in Estonia at the end of 2024, and conscripts of the 2nd Infantry Brigade have begun training with them, with their deployment planned for the major exercise Siil in May. All ordered vehicles are expected to be delivered by the end of 2025.
Estonia has received a new fleet of armored vehicles from Türkiye as part of its military and security modernization efforts, which also include the procurement of French Caesar self-propelled howitzers, as well as the development of its first missile, the Mark 1, to counter drones. The procurement includes 130 Otokar Arma 6×6 armored personnel carriers (APCs) and 100 Nurol Makina NMS 4×4 tactical vehicles, which will be deployed across the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) and internal security agencies. The 2nd Infantry Brigade, which previously lacked wheeled armored vehicles, will be the primary recipient, while additional units will be assigned to the 1st Infantry Brigade and the Estonian Rescue Board’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Centre. The purchase was part of a broader €200 million agreement signed between Estonia and Türkiye on October 18, 2023, which includes long-term logistics support and training.
The contract for these vehicles was structured to allow Estonia to procure additional units and spare parts over a ten-year period. Deliveries began in late 2024, with the first batch arriving in Estonia for integration into operational units. Estonia’s decision to acquire Turkish-made armored vehicles followed an international competition in which the Arma 6×6 and NMS 4×4 were selected based on their ability to meet the EDF’s operational requirements. According to the agreement, all vehicles should be delivered by the end of 2025.