Romania Begins Production of Armored Vehicles for Its Army

The first armored vehicles manufactured in Romania have officially been delivered to the Romanian Army. This significant milestone marks the beginning of a new era in military capabilities for the country.

Otokar has commenced series production of the COBRA II tactical vehicles at its facility in Mediaș. This project involves building hundreds of military vehicles domestically, aimed at enhancing the army's equipment.

Production of the COBRA II armored vehicles for Romania began two years ago near Istanbul, with approximately 300 vehicles already received. To date, 12 COBRA II vehicles have been produced in Romania, and over the next three years, Romania is set to receive more than 700 armored vehicles.

The COBRA II vehicles are designed for various missions, including assaults, CBRN operations, and medical interventions. The manufacturer also undertook a technology transfer to Romania, which has led to the hiring of over 100 Romanians in various roles.

Liviu Costache, who has worked at the production platform for nearly 20 years, is part of this significant endeavor. Delia Stupinian views the project as a major opportunity for the safety of military personnel, while Petru Florin Ardelean oversees the assembly team, focusing on robotic welding.

Each COBRA II armored vehicle takes about 20 days to manufacture, with the factory capable of producing two vehicles per day. The COBRA II features four seats for military personnel and includes a platform for transporting equipment. It can reach speeds of up to 120 km/h and has a range of approximately 600 kilometers.

The COBRA II is a modular platform, with more than 30 variants having been developed so far. Romania has ordered a total of 1,059 vehicles, with over 780 expected to be produced at the Mediaș factory in the next five years. By 2026, a total of 216 vehicles will be delivered, further strengthening the capabilities of the Romanian Armed Forces.