Türkiye's Otokar Unveils Cobra II 4x4 Armored Vehicle for Romanian Army during IDEF 2025.

During the IDEF 2025 defense exhibition in Istanbul, Turkish armored vehicle manufacturer Otokar unveiled a specially configured version of its Cobra II 4x4 armored tactical vehicle developed for the Romanian Armed Forces. This marks the first official presentation of the Romanian variant, signaling a key milestone in Romania’s armored vehicle modernization program and reinforcing the growing defense partnership between Türkiye and Romania.
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Turkish armored vehicle manufacturer OTOKAR displays for the first time at IDEF 2025 its Cobra II variant configured for the Romanian Army.

The Cobra II is a new-generation armored platform designed by Otokar to deliver enhanced mobility, survivability, and multi-role capability for modern battlefield demands. Compared to the original Cobra, the Cobra II features a larger and more robust monocoque hull, increased internal volume, improved ballistic and mine protection, and superior off-road performance. The vehicle is powered by a high-torque diesel engine, paired with an automatic transmission and independent suspension system, ensuring high maneuverability in complex terrain. With a combat weight of approximately 13 tons, it accommodates up to nine personnel, including the driver and commander, and can be adapted to various roles such as troop transport, command vehicle, ambulance, reconnaissance, and support missions.

The version of the Cobra II selected for the Romanian Army is fitted with a remotely operated weapon station armed with a 7.62 mm machine gun. This system allows the gunner to operate and engage threats from inside the armored hull, providing increased crew protection and precision fire capability under various combat conditions. The inclusion of a remote weapon station supports Romania’s operational requirements for force protection and lethality in both conventional and asymmetric scenarios.

On November 27, 2024, Otokar signed a contract valued at approximately €857 million with Romtehnica, the Romanian Ministry of Defence’s procurement agency, for the delivery of 1,059 Cobra II armored vehicles. The contract outlines that the first 278 units will be manufactured in Türkiye, while the remaining vehicles will be assembled in Romania. This localization effort is being implemented through a joint venture established in 2025 between Otokar and Romanian defense company Automecanica SA, under the name SAROM (Sisteme Apărare România), which will also be responsible for long-term support and maintenance.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 and continue over a five-year period. The initial shipment of 14 vehicles was successfully completed in June 2025, marking the official launch of the program. The Romanian Cobra II fleet will be deployed in multiple configurations tailored to national operational requirements and will contribute significantly to enhancing mobility, force protection, and mission flexibility for Romania’s land forces. This large-scale acquisition also underscores Romania’s commitment to building a modern, NATO-interoperable armored capability with strong industrial cooperation at its core.

Over the past decade, Otokar has significantly expanded its presence in the international armored vehicle market, including across Europe. Its Cobra, Cobra II, Arma 6x6, Arma 8x8, and Akrep II families of wheeled armored vehicles are now fielded by more than 40 countries worldwide. In Europe, Otokar notably secured a €130 million contract with Estonia in 2023 for the delivery of Arma 6x6 armored vehicles, with initial deliveries scheduled for 2025. Other European users include NATO and EU member states, reinforcing the company’s reputation for reliability, adaptability, and high-performance combat vehicles.

Otokar’s development in the field of wheeled armored vehicle manufacturing began in the 1990s, building on its early production of Turkey’s first indigenous armored vehicles. The original Cobra, launched in the late 1990s, marked a breakthrough in Turkey’s tactical mobility capabilities. Since then, the company has continuously invested in research and development to expand its product range, focusing on modularity, multi-role adaptability, and survivability. The Cobra II, introduced in 2013, was developed in response to operational feedback and modern threat environments, offering a higher payload, greater protection, and enhanced crew ergonomics. Otokar’s product evolution has also led to the launch of the Arma platform, designed for heavier combat roles and capable of carrying larger-caliber weapon systems and advanced mission equipment.

Today, Otokar’s armored vehicle portfolio covers the full spectrum of wheeled tactical systems from 4x4 to 8x8 platforms. With more than 33,000 vehicles in service globally and a growing footprint in NATO-aligned countries, Otokar has established itself as a leading manufacturer in the wheeled combat vehicle segment. Its success lies in its ability to combine combat-proven performance, flexible configurations, and strong industrial partnerships, which have been key to securing major contracts such as the Romanian Cobra II program.