Otokar, the first Turkish company to produce armoured vehicles within European Union territory, has officially finalised a major move that will shift the balance in the global defence market.
Türkiye’s land systems manufacturer Otokar has made a historic acquisition that will solidify its presence on the global stage. The process of taking over Automecanica SA, initiated on April 29, 2026, as part of the Romanian Ministry of National Defence’s project to supply tactical wheeled armoured vehicles, has now been formally completed after obtaining all necessary legal and local approvals. This acquisition, which took place as the Koç Group celebrates its 100th anniversary, has gone down as one of the most strategic steps taken by the Turkish defence industry on the global stage. By adding the Romanian company to its affiliates, Otokar has become the first Turkish land vehicle manufacturer to produce inside the European Union.
An €85 Million Investment and Technology Transfer at the Mediaș Facility
Otokar won a tender launched by the Romanian Defence Ministry for 1,059 light 4×4 armoured vehicles, signing a contract worth approximately €1 billion including VAT on November 27, 2024. That deal stands as Türkiye’s largest ever single‑lot armoured vehicle export, and the project is now moving ahead quickly. Production of the first COBRA II wheeled armoured vehicles has started at the factory located on a 140,000‑square‑metre site in Mediaș. The first COBRA II produced locally in Romania was unveiled to the public last month at BSDA, one of the region’s most important defence exhibitions, and received high praise.
Türkiye’s Largest Single‑Lot Armoured Vehicle Export
Otokar won a tender launched by the Romanian Defence Ministry for 1,059 light 4×4 armoured vehicles, signing a contract worth approximately €1 billion including VAT on November 27, 2024. That deal stands as Türkiye’s largest ever single‑lot armoured vehicle export, and the project is now moving ahead quickly. Production of the first COBRA II wheeled armoured vehicles has started at the factory located on a 140,000‑square‑metre site in Mediaș. The first COBRA II produced locally in Romania was unveiled to the public last month at BSDA, one of the region’s most important defence exhibitions, and received high praise.
🔍 Related news: Otokar’s COBRA II production process and schedule details in Romania
Romania Hub to Stand Out in Global Defence Projects
Commenting after the successful completion of the acquisition, Otokar General Manager Aykut Özüner stressed that having production capability inside the European Union will significantly boost the company’s effectiveness in international defence projects. Özüner noted that this investment is also a strong sign of Türkiye’s high‑tech manufacturing power being transferred to Europe, adding that they will quickly continue production and deliveries of vehicles in Romania in the coming period. He said that for Romania, this process means the development of local production capacity and the strengthening of a sustainable defence industry infrastructure to NATO standards, and added that they expect the Romanian setup to become an important hub for future defence projects in the region.
Otokar, a NATO and United Nations approved supplier in the defence industry, successfully operates in different climate conditions and high‑risk regions around the world. More than 33,000 military vehicles produced by the company are currently in active service with more than 80 end users in nearly 50 countries, nine of which are European nations. Thanks to this new production base inside the EU, Otokar will hold a much stronger hand in global defence tenders.
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Source: C4Defence– Otokar
