Romania has officially presented the first Cobra II armored vehicle manufactured on national territory during the Black Sea Defense & Aerospace 2026 exhibition, held in Bucharest.
The model was produced at an industrial facility located in the city of Mediaş, marking a new step in military cooperation between Romania and Turkey.
The project is part of an agreement signed between the two countries for the local production of 781 Cobra II armored vehicles. The partnership gained momentum after the creation of a joint venture in April 2025, responsible not only for manufacturing, but also for engineering, marketing, and after-sales support within the Romanian market.
Under the terms of the contract, valued at around US$ 1 billion and signed in November 2024, the first 278 vehicles will still be produced in Turkey. Series production in Romania is expected to officially begin in June 2026, expanding the European country’s defense industrial capacity.
The Cobra II is an 18-ton armored vehicle developed for multiple battlefield roles, including troop transport, armed reconnaissance, medical evacuation, and anti-tank operations. The vehicle features protection against 7.62 mm ammunition, shrapnel, and mine blasts, thanks to its V-shaped hull designed to withstand improvised explosive devices and anti-tank mines.
+ Israel to invest US$34 million in external tanks for F-35I fighters
Otokar Unveils First Romanian-Built COBRA II in BSDA 2026
Otokar, Türkiye’s leading land systems exporter is showcasing the first COBRA II armored vehicle manufactured in Romania at BSDA 2026. pic.twitter.com/zbzGKlabaM
— Otokar Global (@OtokarGlobal) May 13, 2026
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @OtokarGlobal | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
