In the recent tender issued by the Romanian Ministry of National Defence for new 4×4 tactical vehicles, Otokar, the Turkish defense company, has emerged as the sole bidder, presenting an offer for over a thousand Cobra II light wheeled tactical vehicles. The bid includes a comprehensive package encompassing industrial cooperation and technology transfer to Romanian firms, signaling a significant partnership opportunity. This unilateral bid comes as Arquus from France and Oshkosh. Their decision stemmed from the formidable financial and technical prerequisites set forth by the Romanian Armed Forces, underscoring the competitive edge of Otokar’s proposal. The offering from Otokar comprises 1,059 Cobra II vehicles, spanning nine distinct configurations such as armored personnel carriers, tank destroyers, reconnaissance vehicles, and armored ambulances. Sources reveal that the proposed value exceeds 900 million euros, exclusive of VAT.
The Cobra II, an evolution of Otokar’s renowned Cobra family, stands as a pinnacle of armored tactical vehicles. The first generation has some subsystems from the Humvee. Designed to accommodate nine personnel, including the driver and commander, its robust construction boasts superior protection against threats like improvised explosive devices and landmines, ideal for security, peacekeeping, and border protection missions. Measuring 5.6 meters in length, 2.5 meters in width, and 2.2 meters in height, the Cobra II integrates an array of standard features such as run-flat tires, an air conditioning system, blackout lighting, and a towing eye. Furthermore, it offers optional enhancements like a self-recovery winch, CBRN filtration kit, and remote-controlled weapon systems up to 30mm caliber.
Having already garnered interest from various defense forces globally, including deployment by the Turkish Armed Forces and United Nations peacekeeping missions, the Cobra II has established itself as a versatile asset. With a combat weight twice that of its predecessor, the Cobra II embodies advancements in armored vehicle technology, boasting heightened protection and versatility. Equipped with a 6.7L six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine generating 360 horsepower, it ensures a maximum speed of 110 km/h and an operational range of 700 km. Otokar’s success in securing orders for the Cobra II, both domestically and internationally, underscores its prominence in the defense industry.
Otokar Otomotiv ve Savunma Sanayi A.?., also known simply as Otokar, is a Turkish bus and military vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Sakarya, Turkey. Otokar produces wheeled military vehicles for the Turkish Armed Forces as well as other countries. Otokar was founded in 1963 as Turkey’s first bus manufacturing company under the license of Magirus-Deutz. The company was noted for manufacturing the most modern buses and modern intercity vehicles for that period. In the early 1990s, Otokar developed the Otokar Armoured Personnel Carrier, Otokar Akrep and Otokar Cobra which was Turkey’s first 4×4 light-armoured tactical wheeled vehicle in which Otokar combined its armour technology with the experience in military vehicles. In 1997, the company moved to its new manufacturing facilities in Sakarya, Arifiye.
