Update: Estonia orders Nurol Makina NMS 4×4 vehicles and Otokar Arma 6…

The ECDI has ordered Nurol Makina NMS 4×4 (right) and Otokar Arma 6×6 (left) armoured vehicles for the Estonian Defence Forces. (ECDI)

Estonia ordered Nurol Makina NMS 4×4 armoured vehicles and Otokar Arma 6×6 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) on 18 October, the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) announced in a press release the same day.

The ECDI signed contracts worth EUR200 million (USD212 million) with the two Turkish companies for 230 vehicles, plus documentation, training, special tools, equipment, and spare parts. Otokar said in a press release on 18 October that the Arma contract was worth EUR130 million. Emre Akin, head of strategic planning at Nurol Holding, told Janes on 24 October that his company signed a contract worth around USD60 million to deliver 100 NMS vehicles.

The Estonian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on its website that the NMS and Arma vehicles would equip the Estonian Defence Forces' (EDF's) 2nd Infantry Brigade, with the 1st Infantry Brigade also receiving the NMS.

The contracts are valid for 10 years and allow for the procurement of additional armoured vehicles and spare parts and for requests for maintenance, repair, and development of the vehicles.

Major General Veiko-Vello Palm, commander of the Estonian Division, said, “This is an important capability upgrade, especially for the infantry battalion of the 2nd Infantry Brigade and for command posts of the whole division, enhancing armour protection and mobility. The armoured vehicles to be delivered will increase the survivability of our units and allow greater flexibility in unit deployment.” Four NMS vehicles will also be procured for the Estonian Rescue Board's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Centre.

An ECDI spokesperson confirmed to Janes