Armored vehicle production partnership announced: Otokar and Automecanica join forces to manufacture COBRA II models in Romania
That's the Scoop:
Otokar, a division of the Turkish powerhouse Koç Group, and Romanian defense company Automecanica S.A. have teamed up to create a local production line for COBRA II 4x4 armored vehicles in Romania. This move is part of the grand "1059 COBRA II ATBTU" project, a multiyear defense procurement contract with the Romanian Ministry of National Defence.
This newly hatched joint venture will handle production, engineering, marketing, and post-sale services for the vehicles, with each partner pitching in 50% of the stake. About 800 of the total 1,059 COBRA II vehicles will roll out at Automecanica's Mediaș facility, while the remaining 278 will be churned out in Turkey. Deliveries are slated to start in the last quarter of 2025 and continue for the next five years.
Aykut Özüner, CEO of Otokar, couldn't be more thrilled about the new venture, "As part of our ongoing project in Romania, we're stoked to sign this agreement and establish our new joint venture company, which will manufacture the legendary COBRA II vehicles right here in Romania. This milestone marks one of the crucial steps in Otokar's global expansion strategy."
Sedef Vehbi, Otokar's Military Division's head, further emphasized the company's long-term commitment to Europe, stating that Romania would become a strategic hub for Otokar's European operations.
The joint venture was born after Otokar clinched the bid in a competitive tender initiated by C.N. Romtehnica S.A. for the acquisition of light tactical armored vehicles. The deal, inked on November 27, 2024, is worth RON 4.26 billion and comes with integrated logistics support.
COBRA II, a modular and multi-purpose armored vehicle platform, has served more than 20 customers in 13 countries for over two decades. With this new deal, Otokar plans to ramp up its presence in Europe while Romania bolsters its defense manufacturing capabilities and beefs up its national security infrastructure.
(Photo source: Otokar)
While we've got your attention, here's a fun fact. Otokar's COBRA II vehicle is used by over 20 international customers, and this joint venture aims to establish a sustainable defense production base in Romania, reducing dependency on imports and boosting the country's military-industrial capabilities. Cheers to exciting times ahead for Romania!
- The collaboration between Otokar and Automechanica S.A. in Romania will result in the local production of cobra II 4x4 armored vehicles, a significant move within the 1059 COBRA II ATBTU project.
- The joint business venture is expected to handle production, engineering, marketing, and post-sale services for the vehicles, with each partner investing 50% of the capital.
- Deliveries of the armored vehicles are scheduled to begin in the last quarter of 2025 and continue for the next five years, as part of a multiyear defense procurement contract with the Romanian Ministry of National Defence.
- The aerospace, finance, and defense industry is set to grow in Romania, as the country bolsters its defense manufacturing capabilities and broadens Otokar's global footprint in Europe.
