Otokar unveiled the first COBRA II armored vehicle produced in Romania at the Black Sea Defense, Aviation and Security Fair (BSDA) 2026 defense fair held in Romania. According to the statement made by the company, Otokar, a subsidiary of Koç Group, continues to strengthen its defense industry presence in Europe. The company is participating in BSDA 2026, held in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, with three vehicles.
Within the scope of the 1059 armored vehicle project carried out by Otokar in Romania, the first COBRA II produced locally in Romania is exhibited for the first time at BSDA. Otokar will present its TULPAR Modular Armored Tracked Vehicle, which is known and recognized throughout the world for its high firepower and mobility, to visitors at the three-day event. Otokar’s stand also includes the new generation unmanned ground vehicle developed for Romania in cooperation with BlueSpace Technologies, Romania’s leading defense industry company, and Elektroland, one of Turkey’s companies in the field of autonomous systems.
Otokar General Manager Aykut Özüner, whose views were included in the statement, stated that they continue to break new ground in Turkey with technology transfer and local production in the defense industry, and said, “We are proud that COBRA II is the first Turkish armored vehicle produced within the borders of the European Union. We not only provide friendly and ally country Romania with armored vehicle production capability at NATO standards in land vehicles, but also consider Romania as a strategic center where we will manage our defense procurement processes in Europe.” he said.
Otokar won the tender for a total of 1059 vehicles opened by the Romanian Ministry of National Defense in 2024. Within the scope of the agreement worth approximately 857 million euros (excluding VAT), more than 270 COBRA IIs were produced in Turkey and delivered to the Romanian army. COBRA II vehicles started operating in Romania last month. The first of the vehicles to be produced locally in Romania recently came off the production line and took its place at BSDA.
“We are ready to respond to all kinds of land system needs of Romania and the region.” Otokar is also exhibiting its tracked armored combat vehicle TULPAR and the unmanned land vehicle developed with two business partners at BSDA. Otokar Military Vehicles Deputy General Manager Sedef Vehbi stated that the company aims to be a reliable business partner in tracked vehicles in Romania and the region and said, “We are ready to respond to all kinds of land system needs of Romania and the region.
We believe that our TULPAR armored vehicle will be the ideal solution for the armored combat vehicle needs of the Romanian Armed Forces and the region.” made his assessment. Stating that they offer a solution to the need for unmanned ground vehicles in the region, Vehbi said, “Otokar established a consortium in which it joined forces with BlueSpace Technologies, one of Romania’s leading defense industry companies, and Elektroland, one of Turkey’s leading companies in autonomous technologies.
The three companies brought their competencies and capabilities together within the framework of the Romanian Armed Forces’ need for a Multi-Purpose Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV). “With this project, we aim to strengthen Romania’s defense industry ecosystem and create a permanent local capacity in the field of unmanned systems.” he said. Otokar’s COBRA II vehicle, preferred by more than 20 users in 13 countries around the world, stands out with its high mobility and superior protection features.
The vehicle, which was specially configured in line with the specific technical and tactical needs of the Romanian army, has many versions, from personnel carrier to command and control. COBRA II, which has high ballistic and mine protection as well as mobility, keeps personnel safety at the highest level in all terrain conditions. TULPAR, which can be easily adapted to different mission profiles with its modular structure that can expand from 28 tons to 45 tons, allows the use of common body and subsystems in various configurations.
The vehicle, which has undergone extensive testing in harsh climate and terrain conditions, offers a high level of ballistic and mine protection. İKA, developed for the needs of the Romanian Armed Forces, was implemented under the roof of a consortium in which Otokar, BlueSpace Technologies and Elektroland joined forces. IKA, a modular 6×6 platform compatible with NATO systems, was developed to adapt to a wide range of missions.
Source: AA
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