Minister Radu-Dinel Miruță tours the “Automecanica Mediaș” facility as Otokar confirms production standards on par with Türkiye and marks 290 COBRA II vehicles delivered to the Romanian Armed Forces
Mediaș hosted its first high-level visit from Romania's Ministry of National Defense (MApN) since Otokar completed the acquisition of Automecanica Mediaș and fully operationalized its production lines. Minister of National Defense Radu-Dinel Miruță toured the facility to review serial production of the COBRA II 4x4 tactical armored vehicle and to meet the growing local team behind it.
“We are honored to host the Minister of National Defense here in Mediaș, at our armored vehicle manufacturing facility in Romania. This visit reflects the trust placed in our work. I want to reaffirm that Otokar remains fully committed to this project. We manufacture here, in Romania, and through this investment we are transferring technology and know-how to Romania and strengthening the Romanian defense industry.” — Aykut Özüner, CEO, Otokar
A Milestone Visit for Romania's Defense Industry
This is the first time a Romanian Ministry of National Defense delegation has visited the Mediaș plant since Otokar successfully completed its acquisition of Automecanica S.A Mediaș and immediately utilized production lines of the factory. The visit gave the Minister and his delegation a first-hand view of the fully operational manufacturing site that has moved from contractual commitment to daily industrial routine, with COBRA II vehicles now rolling off the line for the Romanian Armed Forces.
NATO Standard Production with Exactly Same Processes Applied at Otokar’s own facility in Türkiye, 290 Vehicles Already Delivered
Automecanica S.A. Mediaș now operates at exactly the same production standards used at Otokar, Türkiye which are in strict NATO requirements. To date, 290 COBRA II vehicles are delivered to the Romanian Armed Forces — a significant milestone in the 1,059-vehicle program, with production and deliveries continuing for the remaining units on schedule.
Not Just Assembly — An Integrated Manufacturing Process
Modern equipment has already been brought into the plant, with more to follow, across an industrial platform spanning approximately 140,000 square metres with NATO-standard infrastructure.
Through this investment, Otokar brings its technology and entire manufacturing know-how to Romania and becomes Romania’s fully capable land platform manufacturer, targeting requirements from other European countries.
A Growing Local Workforce
Production at Mediaș is also creating skilled, stable jobs in the local community. Otokar has already hired nearly 100 new employees at the plant, with its production team now numbering more than 300 people. Together with the administrative structure, headcount is set to approach nearly 400 employees depending on the level of production, as the company works towards becoming the employer of choice in the industry.
About the COBRA II ATBTU Program
In November 2024, Otokar signed a contract with C.N. Romtehnica S.A. for the delivery of 1,059 COBRA II 4x4 tactical wheeled light armoured vehicles to the Romanian Ministry of National Defense, valued at approximately EUR 857 million. Of these, over 780 vehicles are being produced locally at Mediaș over a five-year period, as part of an industrial cooperation framework designed to strengthen Romania's defense sector and NATO's posture on the Alliance's Eastern flank.
Otokar's European and Global Presence
Otokar is a supplier to NATO and the United Nations, with more than 33,000 military vehicles actively serving in nearly 50 countries and in the inventories of over 80 end-users worldwide. With almost 40 years of defense industry experience, Otokar brings the credibility of a global manufacturer and the commitment of a long-term local partner to its presence in Romania.
