Press Release
4iG Group acquires majority 74 percent stake in RÁBA automotive holding
New chapter in modern history of RÁBA to be opened with the involvement of the Czechoslovak Group
- Project company (4iG SDT EGY Zrt.) of 4iG Space and Defence Technologies Zrt. (4iG SDT) is set to acquire a 74 per cent majority stake in RÁBA Nyrt. through over-the-counter (OTC) share purchase agreements. It is to make mandatory public purchase offer for the remaining shares at a price of HUF 1,789.
- The transaction, approximated at HUF 25 billion of value, will be financed from the company’s own capital, and loans.
- With the acquisition, 4iG SDT integrates land mobility capabilities into its defence industry portfolio, thereby completing its land, air and space industry competencies.
- Following the completion of 4iG Group acquisition, so as the successful closing of the mandatory public tender offer phase and the due diligence of RÁBA Nyrt., CSG DEFENCE, subsidiary of the global defence industry player Czechoslovak Group, may acquire a minority 37 per cent indirect stake in the company, while 4iG SDT Zrt. obtains exclusive rights in Hungary for the sale, assembly, servicing and distribution of TATRA military vehicles. The preliminary agreement on the partnership was announced on the Budapest Stock Exchange simultaneously with the RÁBA transaction.
- The aim of the strategic cooperation is to expand business and export opportunities for RÁBA Nyrt. that can operate in the future as a regional manufacturing and development centre providing competitive automotive solutions to NATO and EU member states as TATRA’s second largest European supplier.
- The acquisition represents a new chapter in RÁBA’s 129-year history, not just strengthens 4iG SDT Zrt. position in the global defence industry but potentially positions RÁBA as a significant challenger in the sector again.
4iG SDT EGY Zrt., project company of 4iG Space and Defence Technologies Zrt. (4iG SDT) entered into share purchase agreements
in an over-the-counter transaction to acquire a majority stake in RÁBA Járműipari Holding Nyrt. (RÁBA Automotive Holding Plc.)
and is to make a mandatory public offer to shareholders possessing the free float. 4iG SDT Zrt. has acquired a 54.34% stake
from N7 Holding Nemzeti Védelmi Ipari Innovációs Zrt. (N7 Holding National Defence Industry Innovation Plc.) and a 20% stake
from the Széchenyi István Egyetemért Alapítvány (Széchenyi István University Foundation) through a project company established
for the purpose of the transaction (4iG SDT EGY Zrt.). The share purchase agreements will take effect following the approval
of competition authorities, and the fulfilment of other closing conditions. In order to acquire the remaining 25 per cent
(24.77%) stake, 4iG SDT EGY Zrt. is to make a mandatory public purchase offer to minority shareholders possessing publicly
traded shares, in accordance with Section (1) of 68 § of Act CXX of 2001 on the Capital Market. The company has established
a uniform price of HUF 1,789 per share in accordance with the legal framework, based on the equity per share. This value is
consistent across all transaction elements. The public offer procedure is scheduled for completion by mid-October.
The transaction, worth nearly HUF 25 billion, will be financed through a combination of own capital and external loan sources.
A complete range of products in the defence industry sector
The primary objective of the transaction is to integrate land mobility capabilities into 4iG portfolio. Given RÁBA’s substantial
history in the defence industry, expertise in military vehicle manufacturing, and strategic importance in the field of defence-related
ground mobility, 4iG SDT Zrt. incorporates these capabilities into its activities, thereby completing the company’s defence
industry portfolio. In line with the planned strategic cooperation agreement with Széchenyi István University, 4iG SDT will
further strengthen its presence in Győr, one of the largest industrial cities in Hungary, contributing to the development
of the knowledge and the expansion of research and development as well as engineering training in the region.
CSG DEFENCE
CSG DEFENCE, a subsidiary of the global defence industry company Czechoslovak Group, joins the transaction. As per the non-binding
preliminary agreement published today on the Budapest Stock Exchange, 4iG SDT EGY Zrt. will be the exclusive vendor in Hungary
for the sales, assembly, servicing, and distribution of TATRA military vehicles. CSG DEFENCE also has the option to acquire
up to a 49 per cent stake in 4iG SDT EGY Zrt., representing a 37 per cent indirect stake in RÁBA Járműipari Holding. The conclusion
of the option agreement is subject to due diligence following the acquisition of 4iG Group and the development of business
strategies.
CSG DEFENCE’s accession and potential future minority stake could support RÁBA Nyrt.’s entry into the international market
and commissions in the long term, while continuing to guarantee national sovereignty and the security of supply, thanks to
its professional knowledge, competence and connections. The long-term objective of the parties is for RÁBA to achieve a second
place in the global supplier ranking for TATRA vehicles. In addition, plans are in place to establish a manufacturing and
development centre in Győr, serving the Central European region. The agreement represents a significant opportunity for RÁBA
Automotive Holding, a leading Hungarian defence industry enterprise, to consolidate its position in the sector.
“The acquisition of RÁBA represents a pivotal step in the implementation of 4iG Group’s defence industry strategy. By combining
traditional defence competencies with next-generation technologies, a modern corporation can be built on RÁBA’s nearly 130-year
industrial heritage, offering competitive solutions developed and manufactured in Hungary for NATO and EU member states. It
is particularly important to work with Czechoslovak Group as a strategic partner, whose international experience and technological
expertise could significantly contribute to RÁBA’s renewal. With the transaction and ongoing acquisitions, we are creating
an integrated, comprehensive defence industry portfolio across land, air, and space domains, which may open new export markets
and innovation opportunities for our companies” – said Gellért Jászai, Chairman of 4iG Plc.
Partnership at a European level
The Czechoslovak Group (CSG) is a global industrial and technological group owned by Czech entrepreneur Michal Strnad. CSG
supplies strategically important products, systems and technologies in the fields of defence, aerospace, automotive, and other
industries, contributing to a safer and more stable future. The group has key manufacturing facilities in the USA, the United
Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, Greece, and India, and exports its products worldwide.
CSG employs more than 14,000 people and in 2024 generated revenues of EUR 5.2 billion (EUR 4 billion consolidated), ranking
among the 100 largest defence companies in the world according to SIPRI. Its core companies include Excalibur Army, Tatra
Trucks, MSM Group, The Kinetic Group, and Eldis.
Tatra Trucks, based in Kopřivnice, is a cornerstone for projects of CSG’s mobility and defence divisions. One of the world’s
oldest commercial vehicle manufacturers, Tatra is globally renowned for its heavy-duty trucks designed for extreme terrain.
In 2024, the company produced 1,548 vehicles, with a significant share destined for defence customers. Tatra continues to
innovate through new product generations, such as the latest Force and Phoenix ranges, and plays a central role in the development,
production, modernisation and life cycle support of wheeled armoured vehicles within the CSG defence portfolio.
Jan Marinov, CEO of CSG Defence: “The partnership with 4iG Group and RÁBA represents an important step in our long-term effort
to strengthen the defence industry in Central Europe. By combining RÁBA’s manufacturing capabilities, CSG’s technologies,
and the global presence of Tatra Trucks, we are creating a strong industrial base capable of delivering modern and competitive
solutions not only for Hungary but also for our NATO and European Union allies. We are proud to build on more than a century
of Tatra’s tradition and to join forces with the expertise and experience of our Hungarian partners in developing a regional
centre of mobility and defence technologies.”
A new era in the defence industry and in the history of RÁBA
RÁBA Automotive Holding Zrt. has a 129-year history and is Hungary’s leading vehicle and component manufacturing group.
It is listed on the Budapest Stock Exchange. The company manufactures and supplies axles, axle systems, and components developed
for commercial vehicles, agricultural tractors, and construction machinery, as well as parts for commercial and passenger
vehicles to the global automotive industry. The main export markets are North America and the European Union, but products
are also available in Japan as a niche market player. RÁBA has long time experience in the defence industry. RÁBA vehicles
have served the Hungarian Defence Forces for decades, and the company cooperates with domestic and international partners,
such as the Turkish defence industry manufacturer Nurol Makina, through the joint venture Gidrán Armoured Vehicles Ltd. The
acquisition could further strengthen RÁBA’s role in the defence industry, as 4iG Group’s international connections create
new market and export opportunities, in addition to existing activities, with particularly regarding to the Gidrán 4x4 programme
and the future development of 8x8 vehicle platforms, thus enhancing Hungary’s position on NATO’s and EU’s defence industry
map. 4iG SDT’s further goals are ensuring efficient operation and developing optimal processes. 4iG SDT’s integration of
terrestrial mobility capabilities will enable the development of a comprehensive defence industry portfolio, leveraging expertise
in the land, air, and space sectors. This strategic move is poised to foster long-term growth in the domestic defence industry
ecosystem, enhance industrial capabilities, and expand export potential.
08 September 2025
Background information
4iG Space and Defence Technologies Zrt. (4iG SDT)
4iG SDT is a Hungarian company operating as a member of the 4iG Group. The company specialises in the research and development,
system integration and international market utilisation of defence and space technologies. The company’s goal is twofold:
firstly, to contribute to the development of NATO-compatible defence capabilities with its innovative solutions, and secondly,
to build bridges between the Hungarian technology sector and the global defence industry. 4iG SDT is a key player in the Hungarian
defence innovation ecosystem and is also actively involved in preparing for the civilian application of dual-use technologies.
4iG SDT EGY Zrt., involved in the RÁBA transaction, is an indirect subsidiary entirely owned by 4iG Nyrt.
www.4igsdt.hu
RÁBA Járműipari Holding Nyrt. (RÁBA Automotive Holding Plc.)
Founded in 1896, RÁBA Automotive Holding Plc. is a majority state-owned company listed on the Budapest Stock Exchange. Its
activities include the development and manufacture of heavy vehicle chassis, components and special vehicles, with significant
exports to the European Union, Japan, and the United States. The Hungarian Defence Forces have utilised RÁBA vehicles and
systems for decades, and in recent years the company has once again strengthened its role in the domestic defence industry.
www.raba.hu
Czechoslovak Group (CSG)
The global industrial-technological group CSG is owned by Czech entrepreneur Michal Strnad. It supplies technologies worldwide
that contribute to a safer and more stable future. CSG focuses on the development and production of strategically important
products, systems, and technologies in the fields of defense, aerospace, automotive, and other industries. CSG has key manufacturing
facilities in the USA, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, Greece, and India,
and exports its products worldwide. The group continuously invests in the development of its companies while expanding its
core business activities. Its key members include the Czech land systems manufacturer Excalibur Army, the Czech vehicle maker
Tatra Trucks, the Slovak artillery ammunition producer MSM Group, the U.S. small-caliber ammunition manufacturer The Kinetic
Group, and the Czech radar producer Eldis. The group specializes in the development and production of strategically vital
products, systems, and technologies essential for defending fundamental civilizational values. CSG employs more than 14,000
people across its integrated and affiliated companies. CSG’s 2024 revenue, including The Kinetic Group for the full year,
reached EUR 5.2 billion, with consolidated revenues of EUR 4 billion. www.czechoslovakgroup.cz
www.tatratrucks.com
For more information, please contact:
Péter Elkán
Group Group Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication
4iG Nyrt.
sajto (@) 4ig.hu