CSG buys 49 pct of Hungarian firm 4iG

Budapest, March 2 (CTK special correspondent) - Arms maker Czechoslovak Group (CSG) is acquiring 49 percent of Hungarian company 4iG Space & Defence Technologies, thereby gaining influence in Raba, which manufactures, among other things, heavy vehicles, and both companies signed the agreement in Budapest today.

Under the agreement, Raba will manufacture 2,000 Tatra vehicles for the Hungarian army in Hungary. CSG is also bringing to Raba a project to produce medium military vehicles worth EUR1bn (CZK24.3bn) for export to Southeast Asia.

Raba will produce the first Tatra vehicles by the end of the year, according to Tatra Trucks CEO Kristijan Fiket. Under the agreement between 4iG, American arms company Lockheed Martin, and Raba, HIMARS systems will be integrated onto the chassis of the Tatra vehicles.

Hungary is an ideal location for expanding Tatra vehicle production due to its proximity and Raba's manufacturing, CSG representatives told journalists. CSG currently operates in Central Europe in Slovakia, where another CSG group company, MSM Group, produces artillery ammunition. In Hungary, Czech arms group Colt CZ Group SE (Colt CZ) already operates, manufacturing small arms and ammunition for armed forces and personal defence.

Raba was founded in 1896 and the shares of the current Raba Automotive Holding are traded on the Budapest Stock Exchange. Raba vehicles are used by the Hungarian armed forces and the company also cooperates with international partners.

The 4iG technology and industry group is active in telecommunications, information, space and defence technologies.

CSG's key activities include the development and production of military equipment, aerospace systems, special vehicles and ammunition. The group includes, for example, the Tatra Trucks automotive company, Excalibur Army and the Czech radar manufacturer Eldis. CSG acquired the sports equipment and weapons division of Kinetic Group from the US company Vista Outdoor at the end of 2024. CSG has production facilities in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Italy, the USA, Greece, Serbia, Spain, India and the United Kingdom. It employs more than 14,000 people.

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