Turkey's Otokar to develop and manufacture military vehicles in Romania
Otokar and Automechanica to Produce Armored Vehicles for the Romanian Army
In a significant move to strengthen the Romanian defense industry, Otokar, a globally recognized Turkish defense manufacturer, and Automechanica, a leading Romanian automotive company, have announced a joint venture to produce the Cobra II 4x4 armored vehicles in Romania.
Under this joint venture, Otokar Land Systems SRL and Automechanica S.A. will equally own the production facility in Mediaș, near Sibiu. The joint venture will handle not only the production but also the engineering, marketing, and after-sales activities for the Cobra II armored vehicles. This collaboration emphasizes local Romanian production and promotion, aiming to overcome obstacles as a Romanian entity rather than a Turkish exporter.
The Romanian Army will receive a total of 1,059 units of the Cobra II vehicles. Out of these, the first 278 units will be manufactured in Turkey, while the remaining approximately 800 are planned to be produced locally in Romania. The production in Romania is expected to commence in September 2025, following the completion of the plant, which is currently 85% complete.
The Cobra II vehicle, recently unveiled at the IDEF 2025 defense fair, is an upgraded armored platform developed for the Romanian Army. It features improved mobility, protection, and versatility for various military roles. Otokar, with over 33,000 vehicles in service and a strong presence in NATO-aligned countries, is well-established globally.
This joint venture marks a strategic move for Otokar, positioning the company as a key player in Europe's defense industry. The facility in Mediaș is expected to serve as a strategic hub for Otokar’s activities in Europe.
References:
- TechRider.ro
- Automecanica.ro
- Otokar.com.tr
- Romania Insider
- The joint venture between Otokar and Automechanica will leverage technology to develop and produce the Cobra II armored vehicles in Romania, showcasing advancements in military technology.
- After the production facility in Mediaș becomes operational in September 2025, Otokar anticipates that the local production of the Cobra II vehicles will solidify its position in Europe's defense industry, further cementing its global reputation in technology and defense solutions.
