On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Germany’s Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) approved the acquisition of minority stakes by Czech holding company Czechoslovak Group from 4iG Space and Defence Plc. in 4iG SDT EGY Zrt., which will allow CSG to indirectly acquire a stake in the Hungarian company RÁBA Nyrt and directly acquire a stake in the Hungarian company Hirtenberger Defence Systems Kft.
Image: 4iG Space and Defence Plc.
As a result, CSG Defence, a subsidiary of the Czech holding company, will indirectly acquire a 36.75% stake in RÁBA Járműipari Holding Nyilvánosan Működő Részvénytársaság, headquartered in Budapest, and a 49% stake in Hirtenberger Defence Systems Kft, headquartered in Várpalota.
The Hirtenberger Group manufactures mortar systems and mortar ammunition. The RÁBA Group produces vehicle components and, in the defense sector, armored personnel carriers, while also providing maintenance, repair, and servicing for military vehicles.
Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt:
“There is hardly any overlap between the product portfolios of the acquirer and the two target companies; rather, they complement each other. The merger is expected to create certain synergies, for example in vehicle manufacturing. However, given the presence of strong competitors, this does not raise any competition concerns. Quite the contrary: the merger could even stimulate competition.”
RÁBA Nyrt
Approval of the RÁBA Nyrt acquisition forms part of the strategic partnership between CSG and 4iG. According to the latter, from the outset the partnership has been intended to strengthen competition and enhance Europe’s competitiveness in the space and defense industries through international cooperation, while at the same time safeguarding Hungarian interests. As a market-oriented capital group, 4iG aims to build a strong, export-focused, and technologically sovereign defense industry in Hungary.
The partnership between CSG and 4iG is intended not only to support individual projects, but also to create a Central European framework for industrial cooperation capable of meeting growing international demand, thereby strengthening the long-term market position of both groups.
The partnership combines international market access and expertise with local capabilities in development, production, and systems integration, while maintaining strategic control in Hungary. Cooperation with CSG is intended to contribute to the development of a more competitive European defense industry. Completion of the transaction remains subject to further competition approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Hirtenberger Defence Systems
Hirtenberger Defence Systems also brings to the CSG Group decades of technological expertise in the development of mortar systems and ammunition, enabling CSG to expand its existing mortar ammunition portfolio with new types.
The company’s history dates back to 1860, and for more than five decades it has focused on the development of mortar rounds and mortar systems. In addition to ammunition, it develops complete mortar systems, sighting and optical technologies, support equipment for mortar units, as well as digital fire-control systems.
By combining these capabilities, CSG will be able to offer customers comprehensive mortar solutions covering complete systems, a broad range of ammunition, sighting-system technologies, and logistical support equipment. This integrated approach, in which individual components are developed as a unified system, is intended to provide greater accuracy, reliability, and ease of operation in the field.
Another key technological asset of HDS is its advanced digital fire-control systems. These enable precise targeting and fire control, integration with modern battlefield management systems (BMS), and faster deployment of mortars in the field. The digital fire-control system also enables targeting without direct line of sight and without reliance on external navigation systems. This capability represents a significant technological enhancement to CSG’s overall portfolio.
The acquisition of the stakes is also consistent with CSG’s long-term strategy focused on the vertical integration of ammunition and weapon-system production. Integrating HDS into CSG will enable greater control over the supply chain, optimization of production across the group, and more efficient use of manufacturing capacity in both sectors for the supply of components and finished products.
The combination of HDS’s technological expertise and CSG’s growing production capacity further strengthens the group’s position as a major European player in land systems and ammunition. Through this acquisition, CSG will be able to offer customers an even broader product portfolio and comprehensive solutions for modern armed forces in Europe and worldwide.
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