Estonia Awards €130 Million Contract to Turkish Firm Otokar for ARMA 6x6 APC armored vehicles.

Tallinn, Estonia, October 21, 2023 - The Estonian Centre for Defense Investment (ECDI) has finalized a significant contract with Otokar, a leading land systems manufacturer from Turkey. The deal, valued at approximately €130 million, encompasses the provision of ARMA 6x6 Armored Personnel Carriers, inclusive of maintenance equipment and training services. Deliveries are slated to commence in the latter half of 2024 and conclude by 2025.
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The ARMA is a modern wheeled armored vehicle fully designed and manufactured by the Turkish Company OTOKAR. (Picture source OTOKAR)

The official agreement was inked on October 18th, 2023, in Estonia, by Magnus Valdemar Saar, ECDI Director General, and Sedef Vehbi, Otokar Military Cluster Head. The signing ceremony witnessed the presence of notable figures, including Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur and Turkey’s Defence Minister Gen. Yaşar Güler.

This collaboration follows the Letter of Intent (LOI) previously signed between the defense ministers of both nations. Additionally, a protocol emphasizing cooperation in the defense industry was endorsed by Magnus Valdemar Saar and Haluk Görgün, President of the Turkish Defence Industry Agency (SSB).

The decision to procure the ARMA 6x6 vehicles emerged after rigorous international competition and meticulous commercial and technical evaluations by the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF). The ARMA 6x6, with its advanced technical prowess, was the standout choice.

Sedef Vehbi, Military Cluster Head of Otokar, expressed her pride, stating, "Otokar is honored to serve the Estonian Land Forces with its ARMA 6x6 Armored Personnel Carrier. With our extensive experience in land systems, nearly 33,000 Otokar military vehicles are operational across over 40 countries. Estonia will be the second NATO nation to deploy ARMA. As a recognized NATO and UN supplier, we cherish this contract and view it as a pivotal step for our ARMA vehicle lineage. We are optimistic about fostering a long-term relationship with the Estonian Defence Forces."

Otokar's ARMA, a multi-wheeled modular armored vehicle, is trusted by five distinct global users. It boasts exceptional mobility, robust mine and ballistic defense, and compatibility with medium to high-caliber weapon systems. ARMA 6x6 is renowned for its substantial payload capacity and spacious interior. It can be tailored with diverse mission equipment and turrets, both manned and unmanned. The versatile ARMA 6x6 can be adapted for myriad roles, from surveillance and recovery to reconnaissance, and can be equipped with a variety of armament systems.

Defense News October 2023