Otokar - Turkiye

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About Us​

Otokar, a Koç Group company, has been providing solutions special to the needs of the customers with its own technology, design and applications since 1963. It is operating with more than 3800 employees at the factory built on a land of 552,000 m2 in Sakarya. Otokar has been manufacturing buses for public transportation, light weight trucks for transportation and logistics industry, and tracked armoured vehicles and tactical armoured vehicles for the defense industry.
www.otokar.com.tr

 

[Fatman17]

Otokar Welcomes Romania's Minister of National Defense in First High-Level Visit Since the Automecanica Mediaș Takeover and Full Operationalization of Production Lines​

Minister Radu-Dinel Miruță tours the “Automecanica Mediaș” facility as Otokar confirms production standards on par with Türkiye and marks 290 COBRA II vehicles delivered to the Romanian Armed Forces

Mediaș hosted its first high-level visit from Romania's Ministry of National Defense (MApN) since Otokar completed the acquisition of Automecanica Mediaș and fully operationalized its production lines. Minister of National Defense Radu-Dinel Miruță toured the facility to review serial production of the COBRA II 4x4 tactical armored vehicle and to meet the growing local team behind it.

“We are honored to host the Minister of National Defense here in Mediaș, at our armored vehicle manufacturing facility in Romania. This visit reflects the trust placed in our work. I want to reaffirm that Otokar remains fully committed to this project. We manufacture here, in Romania, and through this investment we are transferring technology and know-how to Romania and strengthening the Romanian defense industry.” — Aykut Özüner, CEO, Otokar

A Milestone Visit for Romania's Defense Industry

This is the first time a Romanian Ministry of National Defense delegation has visited the Mediaș plant since Otokar successfully completed its acquisition of Automecanica S.A Mediaș and immediately utilized production lines of the factory. The visit gave the Minister and his delegation a first-hand view of the fully operational manufacturing site that has moved from contractual commitment to daily industrial routine, with COBRA II vehicles now rolling off the line for the Romanian Armed Forces.

NATO Standard Production with Exactly Same Processes Applied at Otokar’s own facility in Türkiye, 290
Vehicles Already Delivered

Automecanica S.A. Mediaș now operates at exactly the same production standards used at Otokar, Türkiye which are in strict NATO requirements. To date, 290 COBRA II vehicles are delivered to the Romanian Armed Forces — a significant milestone in the 1,059-vehicle program, with production and deliveries continuing for the remaining units on schedule.

Not Just Assembly — An Integrated Manufacturing Process

Modern equipment has already been brought into the plant, with more to follow, across an industrial platform spanning approximately 140,000 square metres with NATO-standard infrastructure. Through this investment, Otokar brings its technology and entire manufacturing know-how to Romania and becomes Romania’s fully capable land platform manufacturer, targeting requirements from other European countries.

A Growing Local Workforce

Production at Mediaș is also creating skilled, stable jobs in the local community. Otokar has already hired nearly 100 new employees at the plant, with its production team now numbering more than 300 people. Together with the administrative structure, headcount is set to approach nearly 400 employees depending on the level of production, as the company works towards becoming the employer of choice in the industry.

About the COBRA II ATBTU Program

In November 2024, Otokar signed a contract with C.N. Romtehnica S.A. for the delivery of 1,059 COBRA II 4x4 tactical wheeled light armoured vehicles to the Romanian Ministry of National Defense, valued at approximately EUR 857 million. Of these, over 780 vehicles are being produced locally at Mediaș over a five-year period, as part of an industrial cooperation framework designed to strengthen Romania's defense sector and NATO's posture on the Alliance's Eastern flank.

Otokar's European and Global Presence

Otokar is a supplier to NATO and the United Nations, with more than 33,000 military vehicles actively serving in nearly 50 countries and in the inventories of over 80 end-users worldwide. With almost 40 years of defense industry experience, Otokar brings the credibility of a global manufacturer and the commitment of a long-term local partner to its presence in Romania.
Www.defence.otokar.com.tr

 

[Fatman17]

13/05/2026

Otokar Unveils First Romanian-Built COBRA II in BSDA 2026​

Otokar proves its dedication to Romania with TULPAR IFV and Next-Generation UGV for the upcoming requirements

Otokar showcases a great milestone in European land systems manufacturing and reinforces its long-term commitment to Romania. Otokar, a member of Turkey’s Koç Group celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, displays three different platforms; the first COBRA II vehicle produced in Romania, TULPAR IFV and Next-Generation UGV at Black Sea Defense & Aerospace (BSDA). The company is exhibiting at Stand C1101 from May 13–15, 2026 at Romaero Complex, Bucharest.

THE FIRST COBRA II CAME OUT FROM THE PRODUCTION LINE IN ROMANIA

The centerpiece of Otokar's presence at BSDA 2026 is the first COBRA II armored vehicle manufactured in Romania. The vehicle has rolled off the production line at the Mediaș facility, where the mass production scheduled to kick off in June 2026.

Commenting on the company's participation and its manufacturing milestone, Otokar General Manager Aykut Özüner said: "We are proud to present the very first COBRA II manufactured in Romania to the BSDA visitors. Our showcase constitutes a firm commitment for the country’s defense industry as well as fulfilling our obligations within the ATBTU project, which is progressing in line with the original plans. Beyond delivering NATO-standard armored vehicles and their manufacturing capabilities to Romania, we see the country as a strategic hub on managing our European defense contracts."

In due course, the announcement of Otokar's acquisition agreement of Automecanica S.A. along with the manufacturing facility in Mediaș on April 29, 2026 -a transaction valued at approximately €85 million, covering 96.77% of Automecanica's shares- is a huge milestone for local defense capabilities.
Upon the local approvals expected within the upcoming months, this acquisition will formally make Otokar a European but more importantly a Romanian defense manufacturer.

Within the 1,059 units of COBRA II ATBTU program, over 270 vehicles were manufactured in Otokar facilities in Türkiye and handed over to the Romanian Armed Forces. Under the program, the remaining vehicles will be produced locally in Romania, embedding advanced manufacturing, engineering and know-how directly into the Romanian industrial base.

Preferred by more than 20 end users in over 13 countries, COBRA II delivers superior ballistic and mine protection, high mobility, and large internal volume. The vehicle is available in multiple configurations -including Armored Personnel Carrier, Anti-Tank, Reconnaissance & Surveillance, CBRN, Command & Control, Recovery, and Medical Evacuation- all built on a common modular platform.

TULPAR: TRACKED COMBAT VEHICLE ALIGNED WITH CURRENT AND FUTURE REQUIREMENTS

Also, on display at Otokar's stand is TULPAR, the company's next-generation modular tracked armored combat vehicle, showcased with the Otokar MIZRAK 30mm turret system. TULPAR reflects Otokar's tracked vehicle capability, bringing together firepower, mobility, and protection within a modern platform architecture aligned with current and future land force operational concepts.

TULPAR is designed as a multi-purpose tracked vehicle with variants ranging from 28,000 kg to 45,000 kg, enabling adaptation to diverse mission profiles. Available configurations include Light/Medium Tank, Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Recovery Vehicle, Mortar Vehicle, Air Defense Weapon Carrier, Fire Support, and Medical Evacuation Vehicle- all sharing common subsystems. Tested in the toughest climates and on rough terrain, TULPAR offers high ballistic and mine protection through modular armor.

Otokar's Military Cluster Head, Sedef Vehbi, said: "We have a strong desire to act as Romania’s land platforms manufacturer across a wide range and to meet the requirements of both Romania and the wider region. In this context, we plan to continue the development of the Tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) in Romania, targeting the potential needs of Romania as well as other European countries, based on our fully qualified Tulpar platform.”

UGV DEVELOPED FOR ROMANIA: A CONSORTIUM FOR THE FUTURE

Rounding out Otokar's BSDA 2026 stand is a Multirole Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) developed specifically for the Romanian Armed Forces, presented through a consortium formed by Otokar, BlueSpace Technologies and Elektroland Defense, a pioneer in autonomous systems from Türkiye.

Built on a modular 6x6 platform and designed for NATO interoperability, the UGV is engineered to support a wide range of operational missions while reducing personnel exposure in high-threat environments. The 6x6 UGV platform design is based on a unique architecture of the chassis structure, electric drivetrain, battery technology, and mobility subsystems. BlueSpace is responsible for navigation, autonomous systems, secure communication protocols and cybersecurity.

Ms. Vehbi added: "Otokar, BlueSpace Technologies and Elektroland have combined their strengths under a single consortium to address Romania's Multirole UGV requirement. This project aims to strengthen Romania's defense ecosystem and build a permanent, locally-anchored capability in unmanned systems."

OTOKAR AND ROMANIA: A STRATEGIC LONG-TERM PARTNER

Romania is the ninth European country to which Otokar has exported military vehicles. Beyond the current COBRA II program, Otokar aims to provide Romania with a modern NATO-standard production infrastructure, while contributing engineering and manufacturing capabilities and creating new export opportunities for the country.

With more than 33,000 military vehicles in service with over 80 end users across nearly 50 countries, and as a longstanding supplier to both NATO and the United Nations since the 1980s, Otokar brings proven global expertise and a deep commitment to local industrial development.

Mr. Özüner added: "Romania is not just a market for us -it is a long-term industrial partner. Our presence here is about building lasting capability."
www.defence.otokar.com.tr