Press Release
Heritage for the future: RÁBA to become defence automotive manufacturing hub for Central Europe
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, throughwhich 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 4x4 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 8x8 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 4x4 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 previous announcement, 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 comprehensive production 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, may enable the comprehensive renewal of the Hungarian Defence Forces' vehicle fleet.
A key element of the programme is the framework agreement now signed for the production, assembly, and maintenance of up to
2,000 units of TATRA 8x8 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 4x4 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 6x6 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.
2 March 2026
4iG Group
4iG Group is the largest capital markets holding company in Hungary active in the technology, infocommunications, digital
infrastructure, as well as the space industries, with its shares listed and traded on the Budapest Stock Exchange. The Group
builds its presence through an integrated approach across high-capacity networks, data centre and international data connectivity
infrastructure, technology systems, and industrial solutions, serving residential, business, governmental and international
customers. Employing more than 9.750 people, the Group’s strategic objective is to contribute to the digital, technological
and industrial development of Hungary and the wider region through long-term investments, innovation and international partnerships.www.4iG.hu
4iG Space and Defence
4iG S&D is a Hungarian company operating as a member of 4iG Group, specializing in the research and development, system integration
and international commercialization of defence and space technologies. The company aims to contribute to the development of
NATO-compatible defence capabilities through innovative solutions, while serving as a bridge between the Hungarian technology
sector and the global defence industry. 4iG S&D is a key player in Hungary’s defence innovation ecosystem and actively participates
in the preparation of dual-use technologies for civilian applications.www.4igsdt.hu
RÁBA Automotive Holding Plc.
Founded in 1896 and headquartered in Győr, Hungary, RÁBA Automotive Holding Nyrt. is a majority-owned company of 4iG Group
and is listed in the “Premium” category of the Budapest Stock Exchange. Following the establishment of its new ownership structure
and the development of international partnerships with leading global defence industry companies, RÁBA is assuming an increasingly
prominent role in both the Hungarian and international defence sectors. Beyond defence applications, the Company’s activities
include the development, manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of axles and axle components for commercial
vehicles, agricultural machinery and construction equipment, as well as components for commercial and passenger vehicles,
with significant exports to the European Union, Japan and the United States automotive markets. RÁBA vehicles and systems
have been deployed by the Hungarian Defence Forces for several decades.www.raba.hu
CSG
CSG N.V. (“CSG”) is a Dutch company and a leading European defence industrial group, with its top management headquartered
in Prague, Czech Republic. CSG develops and delivers defence and industrial technologies that contribute to a safer and more
stable future. The Group focuses on the development and manufacturing of strategically important products, systems and technologies
in the fields of defence and ammunition, as well as in related sectors such as aerospace. CSG operates key manufacturing facilities
in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia and India, and exports
its products worldwide. The Group continues to invest in the growth of its portfolio companies and the expansion of its core
business activities. Key companies within the Group include Excalibur Army (Czech Republic, land systems), Tatra Trucks (Czech
Republic, vehicles), MSM Group (Slovakia, artillery ammunition) and The Kinetic Group (United States, small-calibre ammunition).
CSG employs more than 14,000 people across its integrated and affiliated companies. In 2024, the Group reported annual revenues
of EUR 4.0 billion. CSG shares are traded on Euronext Amsterdam under the ticker CSG. www.czechoslovakgroup.czwww.tatratrucks.com
For further information
Péter Elkán
Group Director of Corporate Relations and Communications
4iG Group
sajto@4ig.hu
Andrej Čírtek
Spokesperson
CSG
andrej.cirtek@czechoslovakgroup.cz