COBRA II military vehicles proudly carry the 'Fabricat în România' label

The production of approximately 100 COBRA II military vehicles is taking place in Mediaș, marking a significant achievement for Romania's defense industry. These vehicles, set to be completed by the end of this year, will proudly bear the label 'Fabricat în România', highlighting the country's commitment to domestic manufacturing.

Radu Miruță, the interim Minister of Defense, has witnessed the production progress firsthand and emphasized the importance of developing military equipment within Romania. He addressed misinformation surrounding the production of these combat vehicles, clarifying that they are indeed being produced in Romania, not Hungary.

The collaboration between Otokar and Rheinmetall has led to the establishment of important production platforms in the Automecanica complex. This partnership supports the production of not only the COBRA II vehicles but also other military equipment through the SAFE program, further enhancing local capabilities.

Currently, over 650 Romanian employees are engaged in the production process across these two factories. They receive training in Romania, Turkey, and Germany to meet the military equipment standards required by the Romanian Army and NATO, ensuring a highly skilled workforce.

Investments are also being made at Rheinmetall for the development of the SKYNEX, SKYRANGER, and LYNX platforms, further bolstering Romania's military capabilities. Radu Miruță highlighted the broader goal of these initiatives: to enhance production, technology, jobs, and industrial capacity in Romania, contributing to the nation's industrial sovereignty.

The acquisition of the Automecanica and its production unit by Otokar in April 2026, estimated at around 85 million euros, underscores their long-term commitment to Romania. This agreement is a step towards strengthening the country's ability to support allied defense on NATO's Eastern Flank, ensuring that Romania remains a key player in regional security.