Turkey begins production of COBRA II for Romania

Otokar, a Turkish defense manufacturer, has commenced the production of the initial batch of COBRA II armored vehicles for Romania. The first 278 units of the COBRA II 4×4 Tactical Wheeled Light Armored Vehicles will be produced in Turkey, while the remaining 781 will be manufactured in Romania as part of a localization agreement aimed at bolstering the country’s defense industry.

The entire contract encompasses 1,059 vehicles along with integrated logistical support services, valued at approximately 32 billion Turkish lira. In a recent announcement, Otokar revealed the formation of a joint venture with Romanian defense firm Automecanica S.A.

This new entity, named Otokar Land Systems SRL, will manage local production, engineering, marketing, and after-sales services in Romania. Both parties will hold equal shares in the venture, which aims to promote technology transfer and enhance Romania’s defense manufacturing capabilities.

The contract, worth around 857 million euros, was finalized in November 2024, with the first Romanian-manufactured vehicles expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Deliveries will occur in phases over a five-year timeline, as stated by the companies. The COBRA II, produced by Otokar, is a versatile armored vehicle intended for various military operations, such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and troop transport, recognized for its mobility and modular design that allows adaptation to different combat scenarios.