Budapest March 3, 2026: In the presence of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Czech First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček, the management of 4iG Group announced strategic industrial and ownership agreements, marking a defining moment for the future of 4iG Space & Defence Technologies (4iG S&D) and RÁBA. These announcements include the production, assembly, and maintenance of more than ten thousand military vehicles under national framework agreements and within the framework of an international export program, as well as the implementation of a planned HUF 100 billion factory development and technological modernization program. Reflecting the strategic importance of the event, CSG is acquiring a stake in RÁBA Automotive Holding, establishing a long-term defence industry partnership with 4iG Group. The agreements represent a decisive step in the defence strategy of 4iG Group, with RÁBA as one of its key centres. During the ceremony, 4iG S&D, together with their international and domestic partners signed the following strategic ownership and defence procurement framework agreements:
- Ownership and Industrial Partnership with CSG – CSG DEFENCE, a subsidiary of the global defence industry company CSG, acquires a 49% stake in 4iG S&D’s project company, through which it will acquire a nearly 37% indirect stake in RÁBA Automotive Holding, while the controlling majority ownership remains with 4iG S&D.
- International Export Programme with TATRA TRUCKS – As a manufacturer and integration partner, RÁBA will join the export programme of CSG and TATRA TRUCKS covering the production of several thousand medium tactical military vehicles, the value of which may exceed EUR 1 billion.
- Gidran Armored Vehicle Procurement for the Hungarian Defence Forces – Based on the framework agreement of the Hungarian Defence Forces, up to 800 units of Gidran 4×4 armoured vehicles may be manufactured, assembled, and commissioned with the participation of 4iG S&D and RÁBA over the next five years, in cooperation with the Turkish company Nurol Makina.
- TATRA Military Vehicle Procurement for the Hungarian Defence Forces – As part of the framework agreement of the Hungarian Defence Forces, up to 2,000 units of TATRA 8×8 heavy tactical military trucks may be produced, assembled, and life-cycle supported in Hungary, with the participation of 4iG S&D and RÁBA, and with the technological and industrial contribution of TATRA and CSG.
- Gidran Fleet Maintenance and Life-Cycle Support Contract – RÁBA has been awarded the full maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) tasks for the Hungarian Defence Forces’ fleet of 105 units of Gidran 4×4 armoured vehicles, establishing a long-term life-cycle-based defence service activity.
- HUMARS Integration Programme with Lockheed Martin – In cooperation between 4iG S&D, RÁBA and American Lockheed Martin, the HUMARS (Hungarian Mobile Artillery Rocket System) programme may be launched.
- Cooperation with Széchenyi István University – The agreement between 4iG S&D, RÁBA, and Széchenyi István University ensures long-term training for the next generation of defence industrial engineers and specialists, as well as the expansion of R&D collaborations.
4iG Group’s defence industry and ownership partnerships, as well as local framework agreements and international export procurement programmes, may ensure RÁBA’s order backlog, technological renewal and international industrial integration in the long term. Within the framework of national and export programmes, the company may participate in the production, assembly, and maintenance of more than ten thousand military vehicles, establishing a stable growth path for the next decade. Based on expectations, the combined total amount of export and local framework agreements may exceed HUF 2,000 billion, and these may be implemented within the framework of the programmes through individual orders and call-offs. CSG’s acquisition ownership and technological partnership will significantly contribute to expanding export opportunities and strengthening access to international markets, which, together with 4iG S&D’s international programmes and RÁBA’s existing export activities, supports the company’s long-term growth and international integration. International export and defence framework agreements may define the development path of RÁBA – a company with a distinguished industrial tradition – and the region for decades. Building on RÁBA’s manufacturing competencies and 4iG’s integration capabilities, a leading Central and Eastern European defence and technology centre is being established, ensuring a sustainable growth path and a stable future for RÁBA, Győr, and the region.
“Today’s milestone represents more than just business agreements. For the Hungarian Government, it is integral to a comprehensive geopolitical strategy. This defence and technological partnership between two national champions is about more than mere economic gains, forging new strategic horizons. Today’s announcement represents the industrial manifestation of V4 cooperation. It is in our mutual interest to strenghten regional industry and enhance our defence capabilities through collaboration, thereby ensuring our collective future security. RÁBA has a long-standing reputation as a pillar of European engineering company; this agreement marks the start of a new industrial era, in which 4iG and RÁBA emerge as the flagships of the Hungarian defence industry,” said Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary.
“Europe cannot afford to lag behind. When companies relocate to the United States or China to escape energy costs and red tape, it is a definitive call to action. This joint Czech-Hungarian project proves that we can build a robust alternative and compete effectively with global players,” said Karel Havlíček, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic.
Central European Defence Industry Partnership and International Orders
In line with the previousannouncement, CSG DEFENCE, a subsidiary of the global defence company CSG, has signed an agreement to acquire a 49% stake in 4iG S&D’s subsidiary, 4iG SDT EGY Zrt., which represents an indirect ownership interest of approximately 37% in RÁBA Automotive Holding Nyrt. The controlling majority (51%) will remain with 4iG S&D following the closing of the transaction. The acquisition is subject to the completion of a public takeover bid in accordance with the applicable capital market regulations, under which CSG DEFENCE will make an offer to RÁBA shareholders. As a group with an annual turnover of EUR 5.2 billion and ranked among the world’s 100 largest defence companies, CSG’s international market presence, technological expertise, and industry network contributes to the expansion of RÁBA’s export activities and its international integration, while the company stays under Hungarian control.
As part of the partnership with 4iG Group, CSG will bring a significant portion of its international orders to Hungary, allowing RÁBA’s Győr plant to join TATRA TRUCKS’ export programme covering the production of several thousand of medium tactical military vehicles. The cooperation includes the production of military vehicle components, including tens of thousands of axles, as well as the anticipated comprehensiveproduction and assembly of several thousand TATRA T810 trucks in Győr. The total value of the programme may exceed EUR 1 billion, representing one of the largest industrial orders in RÁBA’s history.
Comprehensive Renewal of the Hungarian Defence Forces’ Vehicle Fleet
The tripartite cooperation agreement signed between the Ministry of Defence, the Hungarian Defence Forces, and 4iG S&D, together with the framework agreements, mayenable the comprehensive renewal of the Hungarian Defence Forces’ vehicle fleet.
A key element of the programme is the framework agreement now signedfor the production, assembly, and maintenance of up to 2,000 units of TATRA 8×8 heavy tactical trucks in four configurations for logistics, transport, and engineering tasks. The project may be implemented within a five-year timeframe based on individual orders, with the participation of 4iG S&D and RÁBA, and with the collaboration of TATRA and CSG.
Furthermore, in order to develop its mobility and operational capabilities, the Hungarian Defence Forces may place orders with 4iG S&D for the production, assembly, and maintenance of up to 800 units of Gidran 4×4 armoured off-road vehicles, depending on the configuration. This programme, built on cooperation with the Turkish defence manufacturer Nurol Makina, may be implemented over five-year period. Additionally, RÁBA has been awarded the full maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) tasks of the Hungarian Defence Forces’ fleet of 105 Gidran vehicles. This MRO activity opens a new life-cycle-based defence service area for the company, providing a stable and predictable revenue source in the long term.
American Technology, Hungarian Integration: HUMARS Integration Programme May Be Launched
Based on the agreement between with Lockheed Martin, 4iG S&D may launch the HUMARS (“Hungarian Mobile Artillery Rocket System”) integration programme. The goal is to create a new HIMARS system built on Hungarian defence industry and integration capabilities for the Hungarian Defence Forces. Under the programme, the artillery rocket system Launcher Loader Module (LLM) manufactured by Lockheed Martin may be integrated onto TATRA 6×6 military vehicle platforms manufactured at RÁBA’s Győr plants, combining American defence technology with Hungarian manufacturing competencies. This cooperation may bring advanced American defence technology and integration expertise to the local industry, creating new capabilities in Hungary and strengthening 4iG’s role in Hungarian-American space and defence industry cooperation, as well as RÁBA’s role in the production and integration of advanced military systems.
“The agreements announced today mark the largest step to date in 4iG Group’s defence industry strategy. A new era can begin in the history of the Hungarian space and defence industry. We are establishing partnerships and cooperations with leading defence industry and technology companies in Central Europe, the United States and Türkiye, through which locally manufactured yet export-capable defence technologies and systems can be produced in Hungary. These are intended to strengthen Hungary’s sovereignty, ensure the security of supply of the Hungarian Defence Forces, and in the long term define Hungary’s place in the international defence industry,” said Gellért Jászai, Chairman and CEO of 4iG Group.
“CSG is one of the fastest-growing defence industrial groups today. We build on in-house development, strong manufacturing capacity, and the ability to rapidly scale production across key segments – from land systems and ammunition to complex platforms. We intend to bring this experience to Hungary. Combined with RÁBA’s industrial heritage and the strategic support of 4iG Group, we can significantly increase manufacturing capacity, technological advancement, and the export potential of both the Hungarian and European defence industries,” said Michal Strnad, CEO of CSG.
A HUF 100 billion Infrastructure and Factory Development Programme May Be Launched
Depending on the orders related to the above programmes, 4iG Group, together with its international partners, may launch a HUF 100 billion infrastructure and factory development and modernization programme. This may enable the installation of new production lines and the comprehensive modernization of the company, which may ensure that RÁBA meets 21st-century industrial requirements and can fulfil current and future orders.
Training the Engineers of the Future
The vocational training development agreement concluded between Széchenyi István University, 4iG S&D, and RÁBA ensures in the long term a predictable supply of professionals for the modern automotive and defence industries through a career-oriented programme. The vocational training programme series implemented under the initiative ranges from experience-based STEM programmes in primary schools to teacher training, university entrance preparation, and dual and internship programmes. In addition to making the workforce supply more predictable, the development of vocational training increases the region’s attractiveness, thereby supporting its overall development.
As the industrial and technological hub of 4iG S&D’s land systems division, RÁBA embarks on a new growth path, building on its more than a century-long traditions. International partnerships and comprehensive factory modernization may ensure the company’s technological renewal, long-term job preservation, and the creation of new industrial capacities. Through private capital and international cooperation, RÁBA strengthens its presence in the global defence industry as an export-capable and competitive player.
