Otokar showcased the first COBRA II armored vehicle produced in Romania at the Black Sea Defense, Aerospace and Security International Exhibition, BSDA 2026, held in Bucharest. The vehicle was presented for the first time as part of Otokar’s large-scale armored vehicle project in Romania, marking an important milestone for the company’s European defence industry strategy.

A member of Koç Group, Otokar participated in BSDA 2026 with three different platforms. In addition to the Romanian-built COBRA II, the company displayed its TULPAR modular tracked armored vehicle, known for its high firepower, mobility and adaptable structure. Otokar also introduced a next-generation unmanned ground vehicle developed for Romania in cooperation with BlueSpace Technologies, one of Romania’s leading defence companies, and Elektroland, a Türkiye-based company specializing in autonomous systems.

Otokar General Manager Aykut Özüner stated that the company continues to achieve firsts for Türkiye in defence industry technology transfer and local production. He emphasized that COBRA II is the first Turkish armored vehicle produced within the borders of the European Union. Özüner also noted that Otokar is not only helping Romania gain NATO-standard armored vehicle production capability but also sees Romania as a strategic center for managing its European defence procurement processes.

Otokar won the 1,059-vehicle tender opened by the Romanian Ministry of National Defence in 2024. Under the agreement, valued at approximately €857 million excluding VAT, more than 270 COBRA II vehicles were produced in Türkiye and delivered to the Romanian Army. These vehicles recently entered service in Romania, while the first locally produced COBRA II rolled off the production line and took its place at BSDA 2026.

COBRA II is used by more than 20 operators in 13 countries worldwide. The vehicle produced for Romania has been specially configured according to the country’s technical and tactical requirements. It is available in multiple versions, ranging from personnel carrier to command-and-control configurations. With high mobility, ballistic protection and mine resistance, COBRA II is designed to keep personnel safe in challenging terrain and operational environments.

Otokar also presented the TULPAR modular tracked armored vehicle at the fair as a strong candidate for Romania and the wider region’s land system requirements. With a modular structure that can expand from 28 tons to 45 tons, TULPAR can be adapted to different mission profiles. It allows the use of common hull and subsystems across various configurations and offers high levels of ballistic and mine protection. The vehicle has undergone extensive testing in demanding climate and terrain conditions.

Otokar Military Vehicles Deputy General Manager Sedef Vehbi said the company aims to become a reliable partner for Romania and the region in tracked armored vehicles. Vehbi stated that TULPAR would be an ideal solution for the armored combat vehicle needs of the Romanian Armed Forces and other regional users. This reflects Otokar’s broader ambition to offer a complete portfolio of land systems in the European defence market.

The unmanned ground vehicle displayed at BSDA 2026 was developed under a consortium formed by Otokar, BlueSpace Technologies and Elektroland. The platform was designed in response to the Romanian Armed Forces’ requirement for a multipurpose unmanned ground vehicle. Built as a NATO-compatible modular 6x6 platform, the system is intended to perform a wide range of missions and strengthen Romania’s local defence industry ecosystem in the field of unmanned systems.

The presentation of the first locally produced COBRA II in Romania represents a significant step for Otokar and the Turkish defence industry. Local production, technology transfer, NATO-standard manufacturing and international cooperation models all support Otokar’s long-term role in Europe. With COBRA II, TULPAR and its new unmanned ground vehicle, Otokar demonstrated at BSDA 2026 that it is ready to meet Romania’s and the region’s land system requirements with a broad and flexible product portfolio.