The rise of the Turkish defence industry in the global market has reached a new dimension with a major signature in the heart of Europe. Nurol Makina has signed a strategic contract with the Hungarian Ministry of Defence and Hungary-based 4iG Holding covering the production of a total of 800 Gidran (Ejder Yalçın) 4x4 tactical wheeled armoured vehicles in Hungary.
The diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Hungary, which have been elevated to the level of Enhanced Strategic Partnership in recent years, continue to bear fruit through tangible and high value-added projects in the defence industry. According to the official announcement made by Nurol Makina, another critical threshold has been crossed within the scope of the Hungarian army's modernisation programme. The company has signed a massive local production contract for 800 vehicles to strengthen the inventory of the Hungarian Armed Forces.
The Foundation of Trust Dates Back to the Major 2023 Agreement
This immense collaboration between Hungary and Nurol Makina was not built overnight. As will be recalled, the initial foundations of this production line were laid with the historic agreement announced in November 2023. At that time, Nurol Makina had signed a comprehensive production agreement with the Hungarian state-owned N7 National Defense Industry Innovation Holding and Rába Automotive Holding.
While the vehicles, initially acquired in limited numbers directly from Türkiye and delivered to the Hungarian army, proved themselves in the field, the 2023 agreement aimed to transform the process into local production. This new and expanded contract, now involving 4iG Holding, demonstrates that the vision set that day "creating at least 200 new jobs in Hungary, establishing a broad supplier network, and conducting joint research and development (R&D)" has reached a massive scale of 800 vehicles.
Not Just for Domestic Needs, but Also an Export Target
The most important feature distinguishing this contract from a standard defence industry procurement is that the vehicles will be produced directly on Hungarian soil, with local industrial participation. The vision of Nurol Makina and its Hungarian partners is not limited to meeting the needs of the Hungarian Defence Forces alone; it also aims to transform the vehicles produced into a joint export product for the European market.
Gidrán (Ejder Yalçın): The Steel Shield on the Ground
Named Gidrán by the Hungarian army after the country's famous and hardy horse breed, the vehicle is based on Nurol Makina's world-renowned "Ejder Yalçın" platform. This 14-ton vehicle, one of the platforms with the highest protection level in its class, stands out with the following strategic capabilities:
- Superior Survivability: It maximises personnel safety in asymmetric warfare conditions with STANAG 4569 Level 4 ballistic, mine, and improvised explosive device (IED) protection.
- High Payload Capacity: The vehicle, capable of carrying 2+8 personnel, can transform into a multi-purpose assault platform with integrated remotely controlled weapon systems (RCWS) featuring 12.7 mm or 7.62 mm machine guns, laser warning systems, and smoke grenade dischargers.
- Off-Road Performance: Thanks to its 375 horsepower engine and fully independent suspension system, it offers a range of 700 kilometres, providing uninterrupted mobility (maximum speed 110 km/h) even in the most challenging geographical conditions.
Top-Level Participation: The Strategic Partnership of Two Nations
The signing ceremony, attended personally by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, proves the state-level importance attributed to the agreement. The Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Budapest, Gülşen Karanis Ekşioğlu, was also present at the ceremony, witnessing this national success.
A high-level delegation represented Nurol at the contract signing ceremony. Besides Nurol Holding Deputy Chairman M. Oğuz Çarmıklı and Board Member Gürol Çarmıklı, Nurol Makina General Manager Engin Aykol, Deputy General Manager for European Operations Emre Akın, and Nurol Makina Hungary General Manager (CEO of Gidrán Armoured Vehicles) Mehmet Atak were present.
A Permanent Turkish Signature in the European Market
Nurol Makina's massive 800-vehicle agreement is a reference project that opens the doors of Europe wide for the Turkish defence industry. The Gidrán programme demonstrates Türkiye's ability to establish not only vehicle production but also an integrated industrial solution and R&D infrastructure according to EU and NATO standards.
