Romania Presents First Locally Produced Cobra II Armored Vehicle

The first Cobra II armored vehicle produced in Romania was presented at the Black Sea Defense & Aerospace 2026 exhibition in Bucharest.

Otokar said this in a statement to Defense Romania.

The displayed vehicle was produced at a plant in the city of Mediaş. Serial production at the Romanian facility is scheduled to begin in June 2026.

In April 2025, Turkey and Romania established a joint venture to localize production of 781 Cobra II vehicles.

In addition to manufacturing, the new company will also handle engineering, marketing and after-sales services in Romania.

The parties signed a contract worth approximately €857 million in November 2024. Under the agreement, the first 278 vehicles will be produced in Turkey.

The Cobra II is an 18-ton armored vehicle that can be used as an armored personnel carrier, combat reconnaissance vehicle, self-propelled anti-tank missile system, or medical evacuation vehicle. It provides all-round protection against 7.62 mm rounds and shrapnel, and features mine protection due to a V-shaped steel hull designed to withstand anti-tank mines or improvised explosive devices.