Türkiye's Otokar Strengthens European Presence with COBRA II Armored Vehicle Manufacturing in Romania.

According to an official statement released by the Turkish defense manufacturer Otokar on April 25, 2025, Otokar has signed a significant Joint Venture agreement with Romania’s Automecanica S.A. to manufacture the COBRA II 4x4 armored vehicles locally. This agreement marks a strategic advancement in Otokar’s international cooperation efforts and aligns with the recent contract awarded by the Romanian Ministry of Defense for the procurement of 1,059 COBRA II vehicles. The initiative is a key component of Romania’s ongoing modernization program, aimed at strengthening its defense capabilities in response to evolving regional security dynamics.
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Türkiye’s Otokar and Romania’s Automecanica join forces to produce the COBRA II 4x4 armored vehicle locally, marking a major step in strengthening European defense industry cooperation. (Picture source: Otokar)

Otokar, a subsidiary of Turkey’s prominent Koç Group, is establishing a sustainable industrial presence in Romania through the formation of this new Joint Venture. The company, which will be equally owned by Otokar Land Systems SRL and Automecanica S.A. with a 50% stake each, will not only be responsible for the production of the COBRA II 4x4 armored vehicles but will also undertake engineering, marketing, and after-sales support activities within Romania. This comprehensive approach is intended to enhance Romania’s defense industry capabilities, ensure long-term maintenance support for the Romanian Armed Forces, and foster local technological development.

The COBRA II is a combat-proven, multi-role tactical armored vehicle designed to meet the evolving requirements of modern militaries. Developed in the early 2010s as an advanced successor to Otokar’s widely fielded Cobra 4x4 platform, the COBRA II made its debut at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul in 2013. Following its unveiling, the vehicle underwent extensive field testing and evaluations before officially entering service with the Turkish Armed Forces in 2014. Its operational success in Turkey rapidly drew the attention of international customers.

The COBRA II offers significant enhancements over the original Cobra, featuring increased internal volume, higher payload capacity, greater protection, and improved mobility. Equipped with a powerful turbocharged diesel engine and an advanced independent suspension system, the vehicle is capable of delivering excellent performance across diverse terrains, from urban battlefields to rough off-road environments. Its protection package meets and exceeds STANAG 4569 Level 3 standards for ballistic and mine protection, safeguarding personnel against armor-piercing rounds, artillery shell splinters, mine blasts, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The versatile design of the COBRA II allows it to be configured for a broad spectrum of missions, including personnel transport, command and control, reconnaissance, internal security, and border surveillance. The vehicle accommodates up to nine fully equipped soldiers and can be fitted with a variety of mission-specific equipment, including remote-controlled weapon stations, anti-tank missile systems, and advanced electronic warfare systems.

Since its entry into service, the COBRA II has been widely adopted by several countries beyond Turkey. Qatar, the Maldives, and Ghana are among the international operators that have chosen the COBRA II for their armed forces. In 2022, Bangladesh also joined the list of users by acquiring COBRA II vehicles for use in United Nations peacekeeping operations. More recently, in 2024, Tunisia announced the procurement of a batch of COBRA II vehicles to modernize its internal security and border protection units. These acquisitions reflect the vehicle’s growing reputation for reliability, operational versatility, and survivability in conflict zones and challenging operational theaters worldwide.

The local manufacturing of the COBRA II 4x4 armored vehicle in Romania is expected to generate substantial economic benefits, including the creation of skilled employment opportunities and the advancement of domestic defense technologies. Furthermore, Romania is poised to become a regional center for the production, maintenance, and possible future export of COBRA II vehicles to other NATO members and partner nations.

For the Turkish Company Otokar, the establishment of this Joint Venture signifies an important milestone in its global expansion strategy. With military vehicles operational in over 40 countries, Otokar continues to solidify its position as a trusted supplier of advanced land systems. The Romanian project further strengthens Otokar’s ties with NATO allies and exemplifies the company's long-term vision of building sustainable international partnerships based on technology transfer, local manufacturing, and enduring support.