Image source: topwar.ru
In November 2024, Romania signed a contract with the Turkish company Otokar worth €857 million for the supply of 1,059 Cobra II 4x4 armored vehicles. 278 units are to be delivered directly, the rest from mid-2026 should be assembled at an enterprise in the city of Mediash (a joint venture between Otokar and the local Automecanica Mediaș company) with a design capacity of 1.5 vehicles. per day.
The program faced difficulties, including delays in the supply of armored vehicles from Turkey and delays in the preparation for local production of vehicles in Romania. Currently, there are lawsuits between the parties, but the issue has actually been resolved in favor of Bucharest. Otokar officially confirmed that it will pay compensation in the amount of $45.1 million, but, according to the "pay but argue" scheme, filed a claim for cancellation of claims.
Romanian Army's Cobra II with a protected turret, probably an APC version:
Image source: topwar.ru
After receiving the equipment from Turkey in the "basic" technical configuration in Romania, in the Media Center, they are being adapted to the requirements of the Ministry of Defense – the installation of weapons, communications and control equipment, and special equipment.
Recently, the Romanian army announced the adoption of the first copies of the Cobra II, although the exact batch size was not disclosed.
At the moment, the specification of 951 armored vehicles has been determined. They will be presented in 9 versions: 699 armored personnel carriers (for transporting infantry), 20 reconnaissance vehicles, 2 with a remote-controlled turret, 79 anti-tank vehicles (equipped with Spike ATGMs), 1 120 mm self-propelled mortar, 84 81 mm self-propelled mortars, 13 RCBZ vehicles, 28 engineering reconnaissance vehicles, 25 medical evacuation vehicles.
Image source: topwar.ru
Otokar positions its product as one of the best technical solutions for the modern battlefield.
As the Romanian military explained, "this is a light vehicle with the 2nd tactical booking level," meaning the Cobra II is capable of withstanding a 7.62 x 39 mm armor-piercing bullet and detonating 6 kg of explosives.
