Turkey's record armored vehicle exports and silent expansion into the European market. The reference contract with Romania
Cobra 2 armored production line / Source: HotNews.ro – Victor Cozmei
The Turkish company Otokar, an important manufacturer of armored vehicles in Turkey's defense industry, records an impressive increase in production and exports, as the contract worth 857 million euros signed with Romania has become a lever for the company's expansion on the European market of military vehicles, writes the Greek newspaper Ethnos on Monday, quoted by Rador Radio Romania.
Reference contract with Romania
Otokar will execute a contract for the production and delivery of 1,059 COBRA II 4×4 vehicles for a period of 5 years. The vehicles will be produced in 10 different variants, from personal transport vehicles to mortar carriers and ambulances.
The first 278 vehicles will be manufactured in Turkey, after which the remaining production will be transferred to Romania, where local subsystems will also be integrated.
It is the first time that the COBRA II will be produced outside of Turkey.
VIDEO REPORT from the armament factory in Turkey, with 4×4 armored vehicles for the Romanian Army. The same will happen in Mediaș, starting in the summer. What the production line looks like
Increase production and sales
The increase in demand was immediately reflected in Otokar's results. In the first nine months of last year, 94 military vehicles were produced, while in the same period this year the number reached 224, registering an increase of 128%. The turnover of the industry almost doubled, reaching 110 million euros.
Exports are the mainstay, with 97% of Otokar's defense revenue coming from exports.
The contract with Romania, worth 857 million euros, significantly strengthened the company's order portfolio for the coming years.
At the same time, the investment in a production line in Romania creates new local industrial capacities in Europe, strengthening the company's access to EU markets.
Expanding the portfolio of exportable versions
The 10 COBRA II variants that will be delivered include:
- Personal transport vehicle
- Reconnaissance vehicle
- Remotely Operated Weapons Station Carrier
- Anti-tank vehicle and anti-tank command vehicle
- 120mm and 81mm mortar carrier
- The genius vehicle
- CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle
- Ambulance
Through this agreement, Romania becomes the 9th European country to integrate Otokar solutions into its armed forces.
International presence
Otokar has manufactured more than 33,000 military vehicles to date, which are used by more than 70 users in more than 40 countries. Many of these have been operationally tested, including in NATO member countries.
The contract with Romania is not only a major commercial agreement, but also a strategic bridge that expands the presence of the Turkish defense industry in Europe, notes the Greek newspaper Ethnos. Otokar is experiencing dynamic export growth, expanding its production base abroad and strengthening its role in this competitive field of military vehicles.
