Türkiye’s Nurol Makina Boosts Hungary’s Armed Forces Capabilities with Delivery of 56 Gidran Armored Vehicles.

On June 2025, Türkiye’s Nurol Makina and Hungary's Rába Automotive marked a new milestone with the delivery of 56 additional Gidran armored vehicles, reinforcing Hungary's light armored tactical capabilities. This step is part of a broader Hungarian defense modernization program aiming to enhance operational readiness and strategic autonomy. The transfer reflects deepening Turkish-Hungarian defense ties, amid increasing NATO-standardization efforts and the rising need for mobility and survivability on Europe's eastern flank.
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The delivery of 56 Gidran armored vehicles to Hungary in June 2025 marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing modernization of the Hungarian Defence Forces (Picture source: Nurol Makina)

The Gidran, developed by Türkiye’s Nurol Makina and adapted from the proven Ejder Yalçın 4x4 platform, is a 14-ton multi-role tactical armored vehicle featuring STANAG 4569 Level 3b protection. Equipped with a Cummins ISL9E3 375-horsepower diesel engine and an operational range of 700 km, it reaches speeds up to 110 km/h. It includes Aselsan’s remote-controlled SARP turret system, compatible with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun or a 40 mm grenade launcher. The Gidran’s mine resistance allows survival against up to 8 kg TNT blasts, and upon arrival in Hungary, each unit is upgraded with national-standard communication suites, completing its combat configuration.

Originally unveiled as a result of growing Turkish innovation in the tactical vehicle market, the Gidran was integrated into Hungary’s force structure following a 2023 localization agreement between Nurol Makina and Rába Automotive. The vehicle’s development stems from the need to combine protection, firepower, and mobility in asymmetric and conventional threat environments. With its combat-proven lineage via the Ejder Yalçın, already deployed in conflict zones by other users, the Gidran represents a domesticated evolution tailored to Hungarian terrain, logistics, and doctrinal standards. Production in Hungary underpins Budapest’s push for sovereignty in defense manufacturing.

Technically, the Gidran stands out within the European light armored vehicle category due to its mix of mine protection, off-road performance, and modular adaptability. When compared to similar platforms like France’s Arquus Sherpa Light or Germany’s Fennek, the Gidran offers superior payload-to-weight ratio and greater engine power, which translates to enhanced acceleration and terrain negotiation. While Sherpa emphasizes rapid intervention and Fennek specializes in reconnaissance, Gidran provides a more balanced, multi-role profile with heavier armor and scalable turret options, giving it an edge in mixed-threat environments.

Strategically, Hungary’s acquisition of the Gidran is not merely a procurement decision but a calculated move within NATO’s eastern posture. By aligning with Türkiye, a fellow NATO member with a growing defense industrial base, Hungary diversifies its suppliers and boosts its ability to operate independently. In geopolitical terms, this cooperation strengthens Budapest’s strategic flexibility between Western allies and emerging regional powers. Militarily, the Gidran enhances operational resilience against threats ranging from hybrid warfare to conventional incursions, especially near Hungary’s eastern frontier. It also sends a message of readiness amid rising instability in Europe’s periphery.

The delivery of 56 Gidran armored vehicles to Hungary in June 2025 marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing modernization of the Hungarian Defence Forces. Beyond enhancing battlefield mobility and survivability, the program embodies the strategic realignment of Hungary’s defense industry toward joint production, NATO compliance, and regional operational relevance. Through this partnership, Türkiye's Nurol Makina secures a prominent role in the European armored vehicle market, while Hungary strengthens its capability to respond to the evolving threat landscape of Central and Eastern Europe.