OTOKAR, a Turkish armored vehicle manufacturer, delivered the first 12 COBRA II tactical wheeled armored vehicles produced at its Automecanica Mediaș facility in Romania to the Romanian Armed Forces on July 22, 2026. This initial shipment represents a tangible indicator of Turkish defense industry production capacity within the European Union. According to information shared by Mediaș Factory General Manager Yusuf Fettahlıoğlu, following the first delivery of two different configurations, 204 additional vehicles in four different variants will be delivered in 2026.

The Romanian Armed Forces' order encompasses a total of 1,059 COBRA II armored vehicles. These vehicles will be delivered over the next five years, with more than 780 units to be produced at the Mediaș facility, which spans 140 acres. OTOKAR has established a production facility with NATO-standard infrastructure through Automecanica Mediaș, its first production subsidiary in Europe. While the facility initially operates with assembly line capabilities, it will eventually be equipped to execute all production processes for the 4×4 armored vehicle.

OTOKAR possesses approximately 40 years of experience in the defense industry, with more than 33,000 military vehicles in the inventories of approximately 50 countries. The company emphasized that the COBRA II variant developed for Romania was specifically designed to meet tender requirements and has been tested by Romanian authorities to satisfy all technical specifications. Fettahlıoğlu stated that identical production standards used in Turkey are being applied, modern equipment has been introduced to the facility, and new investments will continue.

The COBRA II, introduced by OTOKAR in 2013, is a tactical 4×4 wheeled armored vehicle operationally used by more than 20 operators across 13 countries. More than 600 vehicles are in NATO inventories, and the platform features 30 different variants worldwide. The vehicle is designed with modular architecture to accommodate various operational requirements and can be configured for different mission profiles. Upon completion of deliveries, the Romanian Armed Forces will receive COBRA II vehicles in 12 different variants, including personnel carrier, reconnaissance, remote weapon station personnel carrier, anti-tank, anti-tank command, 120 mm mortar carrier, 81 mm mortar carrier, fortification, CBRN reconnaissance, and ambulance configurations.

The Turkish defense industry has demonstrated significant progress in export performance and international agreements in recent years. OTOKAR's production facility established in Romania represents a strategic step in delivering high-localization products to the European market. Similarly, other Turkish defense companies such as ROKETSAN, TUSAŞ, and BAYKAR have established strong positions in international markets. The operationalization of the Mediaș facility enables direct production of Turkish defense industry products in Europe, reducing logistics costs and creating local employment opportunities.