Armored Vehicles

Otokar Cobra

Also known as
  • COBRA
  • Otokar COBRA
  • COBRA 4x4
  • Otokar Cobra 4x4
  • Cobra I
  • Otokar Cobra I
  • COBRA II
  • Otokar Cobra II
  • Cobra 2
  • Kobra
  • COBRA II MRAP
  • Otokar COBRA II MRAP
  • COBRA II ATBTU

The Otokar Cobra page covers a Turkish 4x4 armored mobility-vehicle family built for protected transport, patrol, reconnaissance, weapon-carrier, medical evacuation, and specialist mission roles. The record distinguishes the lighter original Cobra from the larger Cobra II branch, whose recent official context includes a 1,059-vehicle Romanian ATBTU program, local production at Medias, and more than 20 Cobra II users in 13 countries. The cataloged conflict record spans documented losses or captures in Georgia, Burkina Faso, and northeast Nigeria, Cobra II protected mobility and evacuation use in Ukraine, and a reported Cobra-mounted Turkish laser system in Libya.

Otokar Cobra, Wheeled infantry mobility vehicle, Armored Vehicles
Image source: Slovenian Otokar Cobra

Role in Conflicts

2012 Sahel Insurgency
Force ProtectionMobility & Logistics
Side
Sahelian governments and partner forces

The Defense Post reported that Burkinabe soldiers were traveling in a Turkish-built Otokar Cobra light armored vehicle when it was struck by an IED in eastern Burkina Faso in December 2018, killing three soldiers and injuring four.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Turkey
Built by
Otokar
Built in
TurkeyRomania
Type
Wheeled infantry mobility vehicle
Service note
1997-present service family
Designer
Otokar
Designed
1990s
Produced
1997-present family

Specifications

Family type
Turkish 4x4 tactical wheeled armored vehicle family
Cobra gross vehicle weight
6,700 kg in Otokar's military vehicle brochure
Cobra crew capacity
Up to 9 personnel including driver and commander
Cobra engine
Turbocharged diesel engine, 190 hp
Cobra performance
100 km/h maximum speed, 600 km range, 1,000 mm fording depth, 60% gradeability
Cobra II gross vehicle weight
Up to 14,500 kg
Cobra II crew capacity
Up to 11 personnel including driver and commander
Cobra II engine
Turbocharged diesel engine, 360 hp
Cobra II performance
110 km/h maximum speed, 700 km range, 1,000 mm fording depth, 60% gradeability
Cobra II MRAP gross vehicle weight
19,000 kg in Otokar's military vehicle brochure
Cobra II MRAP engine
Turbocharged diesel engine, 375-400 hp
Cobra II active users
More than 20 Cobra II users in 13 countries in Otokar 2024-2025 releases
Romania ATBTU program
1,059 Cobra II 4x4 tactical light armored vehicles under a 4.26 billion RON contract, with 278 vehicles from Turkey and the remaining vehicles planned for Romanian production
Mission fits
Personnel carrier, reconnaissance/surveillance, command and control, ambulance/medical evacuation, internal security, weapon platform, NBC/CBRN reconnaissance, radar, anti-tank, air-defence, recovery, jammer, and mobile satcom configurations in Otokar materials
Protection
Manufacturer materials describe ballistic, mine, and IED protection; exact protection levels vary by configuration and are not fully published in the cited public brochures
Cobra And Cobra II Scope

Otokar publishes separate product pages for COBRA and COBRA II, while its brochures and company releases also present the vehicles as a family. The first-generation Cobra is the lighter 4x4 tactical wheeled armored vehicle, while Cobra II is the larger follow-on branch with higher ballistic and mine protection, increased payload capacity, and larger internal volume.

COBRA

Otokar's brochure lists a 6,700 kg gross vehicle weight, up to 9 personnel, a 190 hp turbocharged diesel engine, and mission fits such as personnel carrier, reconnaissance, command and control, medical evacuation, internal security, and weapon platform.

COBRA II

Otokar lists Cobra II at up to 14,500 kg gross vehicle weight, up to 11 personnel, a 360 hp turbocharged diesel engine, 110 km/h maximum speed, and 700 km range.

COBRA II MRAP

Otokar's broader military vehicle brochure separates Cobra II MRAP from standard Cobra II and lists a 19,000 kg gross vehicle weight with a 375-400 hp engine.

Sources: Otokar Cobra; Otokar Cobra Brochure; Otokar Cobra II; Otokar Cobra II Brochure; Otokar Military Vehicle Brochure.

Variants

Otokar presents COBRA and COBRA II on separate product pages, while its brochures and company releases also treat them as a continuing 4x4 armored-vehicle family. This record distinguishes first-generation Cobra configurations from the larger Cobra II and Cobra II MRAP branches.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
COBRAFirst-generation 4x4 tactical wheeled armored vehicle

Otokar describes the original Cobra as a modular multipurpose platform with ballistic protection, permanent four-wheel drive, automatic transmission, central tire inflation, and mission fits including personnel carrier, ambulance, reconnaissance, command and control, internal security, weapon platform, and NBC reconnaissance.

Sources: Otokar Cobra, Otokar Cobra Brochure

COBRA amphibious configurationOptional first-generation configuration

Otokar says Cobra variants can be built with an amphibious feature using double hydraulic thrusters with joystick control.

Sources: Otokar Cobra, Otokar Cobra Brochure

COBRA IILarger follow-on 4x4 tactical armored vehicle

Otokar describes Cobra II as a modular 4x4 platform with higher ballistic and mine protection, increased payload capacity, larger internal volume, and an optional amphibious version; a 2024 Otokar release says Cobra II was added to the product range in 2013.

Sources: Otokar Cobra II, Otokar Romania Cobra II Contract

COBRA II MRAPMine-resistant ambush-protected branch

Otokar's military vehicle brochure lists a separate Cobra II MRAP with 19,000 kg gross vehicle weight, up to 11 crew capacity, and a 375-400 hp turbocharged diesel engine.

Sources: Otokar Military Vehicle Brochure

COBRA II mission configurationsMission-kit family

Otokar lists Cobra II configurations including armored personnel carrier, open cupola, RCWS plus jammer, mortar fire detection, internal security, anti-tank, radar, recovery, command and control, air-defence, ambulance, mobile satcom, reconnaissance and surveillance, and double-RCWS personnel carrier variants; 2025-2026 Otokar releases also identify armored personnel carrier, anti-tank, reconnaissance and surveillance, CBRN, command and control, recovery, medical evacuation, open turret, and 25 mm MIZRAK turret configurations.

Sources: Otokar Cobra II Brochure, Otokar IDEF 2025, Otokar First Romanian-Built Cobra II

COBRA II ATBTURomanian light tactical armored vehicle program configuration

Otokar uses the ATBTU label for Romania's 1,059-vehicle Cobra II program. Official releases say more than 270 vehicles were manufactured in Turkey and handed over to the Romanian Armed Forces by May 2026, with remaining vehicles to be produced locally in Romania.

Sources: Otokar Romania Cobra II Contract, Otokar Cobra II Romania JV, Otokar First Romanian-Built Cobra II, Otokar Automecanica Deal Finalized

Timeline

Otokar Cobra Key Events

  1. Cobra manufacturing planned at Sakarya

    Otokar's heritage timeline says the company moved to its Sakarya plant in 1997 and began planning Cobra manufacturing there.

  2. Cobra II added to product range

    Otokar says Cobra II was added to its product range in 2013 and later produced in more than 30 versions.

  3. Cobra II MRAP manufacturing noted

    Otokar's heritage timeline lists manufacturing of Cobra II MRAP in 2021.

  4. Cobra II reported in Ukrainian service

    Militarnyi reported video of Cobra II armored vehicles moving on a dirt road with Ukrainian markings.

  5. Cobra II medical evacuation variant reported near Kursk

    Army Recognition reported a likely Cobra II medical evacuation vehicle in Ukrainian Army service during the Kursk operation.

  6. Romania awards large Cobra II contract

    Otokar and Romtehnica signed a contract for 1,059 Cobra II 4x4 light tactical armored vehicles, with the first 278 to be made in Turkey and the remainder in Romania.

  7. Romanian Cobra II joint venture announced

    Otokar said it signed a joint venture agreement with Automecanica S.A. to manufacture Cobra II ATBTU vehicles in Romania and support engineering, marketing, and after-sales activities.

  8. Romanian and 25 mm MIZRAK configurations shown

    At IDEF 2025, Otokar displayed a Cobra II vehicle produced under the Romanian contract and identified another Cobra II configuration with a 25 mm MIZRAK turret.

  9. Additional export order announced

    Otokar announced an 83.6 million USD export-registered order for Cobra II 4x4 tactical armored wheeled vehicles, with deliveries planned within 2025.

  10. First Romanian-built Cobra II unveiled

    Otokar unveiled the first Cobra II manufactured in Romania at BSDA 2026 and said mass production at the Medias facility was scheduled to begin in June 2026.

  11. Automecanica acquisition finalized

    Otokar said it finalized the acquisition of 96.77% of Automecanica S.A.; the Medias site was described as a 140,000-square-meter facility equipped for serial armored-vehicle production.

Recent Cobra II Procurement

Otokar's recent official releases frame Cobra II as an active export program, not only a legacy Cobra-family branch. The largest disclosed current program is Romania's ATBTU procurement for 1,059 Cobra II vehicles, supported by local production arrangements at Medias.

Romania ATBTU

The 2024 contract covers 1,059 Cobra II 4x4 tactical light armored vehicles for Romania, valued at about 4.26 billion RON excluding VAT.

Otokar says the first 278 vehicles were to come from Turkey and the remaining vehicles from Romania.

Local production

Otokar announced a Romanian joint venture with Automecanica in April 2025, unveiled the first Romanian-built Cobra II in May 2026, and finalized acquisition of 96.77% of Automecanica in June 2026.

Current footprint

Otokar releases in 2024-2025 describe Cobra II as actively used by more than 20 users in 13 countries, with more than 30 variants developed since its 2013 launch.

Sources: Otokar Romania Cobra II Contract; Otokar Cobra II Romania JV; Otokar IDEF 2025; Otokar First Romanian-Built Cobra II; Otokar Automecanica Deal Finalized.

Media

Otokar Cobra Videos

Otokar Cobra Images

Otokar Cobra, Wheeled infantry mobility vehicle, Armored Vehicles - view 1
Source: Otokar Cobra MSPO2012
Otokar Cobra, Wheeled infantry mobility vehicle, Armored Vehicles - view 2
Source: Georgian Otokar Cobra
Otokar Cobra, Wheeled infantry mobility vehicle, Armored Vehicles - view 3
Source: Bangladesh Police Otokar Cobra
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Sources

Islamic State attacks Nigeria military base in Kareto, killing commanderPublisher: The Defense Post | Note: Supports 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency direct use context: an Otokar Cobra was shown as apparently captured by ISWAP after a May 2019 attack on a Nigerian military base in Gubio, Borno state. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Russia's Wars: Listing Equipment Losses During The 2008 Russo-Georgian WarPublisher: Oryx | Note: Supports 2008 Russo-Georgian War direct use context: Oryx records two Georgian Otokar Cobra infantry mobility vehicles captured by opposing forces, including one damaged and captured. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Burkina Faso soldiers killed in roadside bomb blast between Fada and KompienbigaPublisher: The Defense Post | Note: Supports 2012 Sahel Insurgency direct use context: Burkinabe soldiers were traveling in a Turkish-built Otokar Cobra when it was struck by an IED in eastern Burkina Faso. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Otokar Cobra Wheeled Infantry Mobility VehiclePublisher: Military Factory | Note: Supports system background, Infantry Mobility Vehicle type, variants, manufacturer, operator list, and performance specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Otokar DefencePublisher: Otokar | Note: Supports manufacturer background for Otokar as a Turkish land systems manufacturer and exporter of armored vehicle platforms. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Otokar CobraPublisher: Otokar | Note: Supports first-generation Cobra identity, mobility framing, amphibious option, modular mission configurations, and manufacturer background. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Otokar Cobra IIPublisher: Otokar | Note: Supports Cobra II background: Otokar describes the vehicle as a modular 4x4 tactical wheeled armored platform with higher ballistic and mine protection, increased payload capacity, and mission-equipment options. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Otokar Cobra II BrochurePublisher: Otokar | Note: Supports Cobra II specifications and mission variants, including gross vehicle weight up to 14,500 kg, crew capacity up to 11, 360 hp turbocharged diesel engine, and medical evacuation, reconnaissance, command, jammer, radar, anti-aircraft missile, and anti-tank configurations. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Otokar Cobra BrochurePublisher: Otokar | Note: Supports original Cobra mission variants and design context, including personnel carrier, ambulance, reconnaissance, command, weapon platform, NBC reconnaissance, and amphibious options. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Otokar Military Vehicle BrochurePublisher: Otokar | Note: Supports side-by-side Cobra, Cobra II, and Cobra II MRAP technical specifications from Otokar's military vehicle brochure. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Otokar HeritagePublisher: Otokar | Note: Supports 1997 Sakarya/Cobra planning, 2021 Cobra II MRAP manufacturing, and 2024 Romanian Cobra II contract timeline context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Otokar Romania Cobra II ContractPublisher: Otokar | Note: Supports Cobra II product-range date, version count, active-user context, and Romania production/delivery timeline; this is procurement and family background, not conflict-use support. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Otokar Cobra II Romania JVPublisher: Otokar | Note: Supports April 2025 Romania joint venture context, Automecanica local production role, ATBTU program framing, delivery schedule, and Cobra II active-user count. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Otokar IDEF 2025Publisher: Otokar | Note: Supports 2025 Cobra II configuration context, including a Romanian vehicle configuration, open turret, 25 mm MIZRAK turret, and named Cobra II mission roles. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Otokar Cobra II 83.6 Million USD OrderPublisher: Otokar | Note: Supports December 2025 export-registered Cobra II order context, planned 2025 delivery timing, active-user count, and variant-count background. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Otokar First Romanian-Built Cobra IIPublisher: Otokar | Note: Supports May 2026 first Romanian-built Cobra II milestone, Medias production-line context, more-than-270 Turkey-built vehicles handed over to Romania, and named Cobra II configurations. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Otokar Automecanica Deal FinalizedPublisher: Otokar | Note: Supports June 2026 Automecanica acquisition completion, 96.77% stake context, Medias facility scale, and Romanian Cobra II local production background. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Slovenian Otokar CobraPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the primary Otokar Cobra image, credited to the Slovenian Ministry of Defence under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Otokar Cobra MSPO2012Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for an Otokar Cobra displayed at MSPO 2012 under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0/GFDL terms. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Georgian Otokar CobraPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a Georgian Army Otokar Cobra under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Bangladesh Police Otokar CobraPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a Bangladesh Police Otokar Cobra image under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Turkey uses laser weapon technology to shoot down Chinese UAV Wing Loong II in LibyaPublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports 2014 Second Libyan Civil War direct use context: a Turkish laser weapon mounted on an Otokar Cobra armored car was fielded by Turkey-backed forces near Misrata and reportedly used to shoot down a Wing Loong II UAV. | Accessed: 2026-06-22The Ukrainian military received Turkish Cobra II armored vehiclesPublisher: Militarnyi | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use context: reporting described video of Cobra II armored vehicles moving with Ukrainian markings. | Accessed: 2026-07-02SIPRI Arms Transfers DatabasePublisher: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct transfer context: a public transfer-register query for recipient Ukraine, supplier Turkiye, and designation Cobra returned an estimated 50 Cobra-2 armored personnel carriers ordered and delivered in 2023. | Accessed: 2026-07-07The Stalwart Ally: Turkiye's Arms Deliveries To UkrainePublisher: Oryx | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use context: Oryx lists Otokar Cobra II vehicles among Turkish-supplied equipment delivered to Ukraine in May 2023. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Attack On Europe: Documenting Ukrainian Equipment LossesPublisher: Oryx | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use context: Oryx documents six Ukrainian Otokar Cobra II losses during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Ukraine's Kursk Offensive sees first use of Turkish Cobra II Medical Evacuation VehiclePublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use context: reporting identified a likely Cobra II medical evacuation vehicle in Ukrainian Army service during the Kursk operation. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Networked Future Weapon Systems for Turkish ForcesPublisher: European Security & Defence | Note: Supports 2014 Second Libyan Civil War direct use context: a Turkish armored fighting vehicle with a laser gun, with OTOKAR COBRA also noted as a laser-gun carrier, was reportedly fielded near Misrata and destroyed a UAE Wing Loong II in Libya. | Accessed: 2026-06-22