The Estonian Defense Forces have received almost 50 Turkish-made Arma 6×6 wheeled armored personnel carriers (APCs) and NMS armored vehicles.

The Estonian Center for Defense Investment Center (ECDI) reported the delivery.

The armored vehicles were transferred to the 2nd Infantry Brigade, primarily consisting of Otokar Arma APCs with a 6×6 wheel configuration for infantry units.

The Defense Forces also received Nurol Makina NMS 4×4 armored vehicles, which will be used by combat support units of both the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigades.

The contract to purchase 100 Nurol Makina NMS 4×4 armored vehicles and 130 Otokar ARMA 6×6 APCs was signed in October 2023.

The procurement of the new armored vehicles was executed in close cooperation with the Estonian military.

The new armored vehicles offer better protection against small arms fire and mine and shell fragments. They also improve unit maneuverability, with superior cross-country capabilities compared to the trucks previously used by the 2nd Infantry Brigade. The vehicles are armed with a 12.7 mm large-caliber machine gun.

The first wheeled armored vehicles arrived in Estonia at the end of 2024. Conscripts of the 2nd Infantry Brigade have already started training with them and will use the vehicles in the large-scale Siil exercises in May. All ordered armored vehicles are expected to arrive in Estonia by the end of this year.

Not only for the army

In addition to the Defense Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will receive four Turkish Nurol Makina NMS 4×4 armored vehicles. These will be used by the sappers of the Mine Clearance Center of the Estonian Rescue Board.

Arma 6×6 armored personnel carriers of the Estonian Defense Forces. March 2025. Photo credits: ECDI/Kermo Pastarus

The department model features an extended wheelbase and can also be used by the Police and Border Guard Department and the Security Police Department if necessary.

The contracts are valid for 10 years and allow for the purchase of additional armored vehicles and spare parts, as well as orders for maintenance, repair, and modernization.