Turkish defense manufacturer Otokar, a leading company in land systems, is preparing to deliver the first batch of its COBRA II 4x4 armored vehicles to Romania under a record-breaking export agreement. Signed last year, the contract covers 1,059 vehicles for the Romanian Ministry of Defense — marking the largest single land platform export deal ever achieved by Turkey’s defense industry.

Otokar’s Deputy General Manager for Military Vehicles, Sedef Vehbi, announced that for the first time in the company’s history, COBRA II vehicles will be produced abroad. As part of this initiative, Otokar has partnered with Automecanica S.A., one of Romania’s prominent defense companies, to establish a joint venture for local production and technology transfer. The initial batch of 278 vehicles will be manufactured in Sakarya, Turkey, while subsystem integration will be completed in Romania. The first deliveries are expected to begin in the last quarter of 2025.

According to Vehbi, the project includes ten COBRA II variants designed to meet Romania’s operational needs. These configurations include personnel carriers, reconnaissance vehicles, anti-tank platforms, 120mm and 81mm mortar carriers, engineering vehicles, CBRN reconnaissance variants, and ambulances. Otokar also plans to establish a comprehensive after-sales support structure in Romania, ensuring efficient maintenance and repair services for the Romanian Armed Forces. In the future, specialized training programs will enable Romanian technicians to independently maintain and service the vehicles.

The agreement also represents a significant technology transfer milestone between Turkey and Europe. COBRA II production in Romania will include all stages — from welding and cutting to painting, assembly, and testing. Otokar will provide extensive training to Romanian technical teams, contributing to the country’s growing defense industry expertise. Vehbi emphasized that the project will enhance Romania’s local capabilities while further strengthening Otokar’s position as a global defense technology provider.

With this deal, Romania becomes the ninth European nation to operate the COBRA II. Otokar’s prior successes with NATO and United Nations fleets played a key role in winning the tender, which involved rigorous technical evaluations and testing. The company expects Romania to become a strategic hub for Otokar’s European operations, with both Otokar Land Systems SRL and the new joint venture actively participating in future defense programs across the continent.