► Otokar strengthens its commitment to Romania, signs acquisition agreement
(Bucharest) Otokar, Türkiye’s leading land systems exporter and a key supplier to NATO and the United Nations, announced the signature of the acquisition agreement of Automecanica S.A. and its manufacturing facility in Mediaș, Romania. The acquisition process is expected to be completed following the local regularity approvals. This investment will mark a defining step in Otokar’s European industrial strategy and reinforce the company’s long-term commitment to building sovereign defense manufacturing capabilities in Romania, in line with its obligations under the COBRA II ATBTU Program.
A Strategic Investment in Romania’s Defense Industry
Following the process initiated in January, the share purchase agreement for the acquisition of shares representing 96.77% of the capital of Automecanica S.A. was signed on April 29, 2026 for an approximate of 85 million EUR. Through this investment, Otokar becomes a defense manufacturer with production operations inside the European Union -a strategic milestone that positions the company to play a more active role in European military procurement processes. With the established production infrastructure, licensed facilities, and experienced industrial workforce, Otokar will not only deliver its contractual commitments but also make a lasting contribution to Romania’s defense industrial base.
“This investment is a concrete expression of Otokar’s long-term commitment to Romania,” said Mr. Aykut Özüner, Otokar CEO. “With this agreement, we are not simply fulfilling a contract -we are contributing to Romania’s industrial sovereignty and its capacity to support allied defense on NATO’s Eastern flank.”
COBRA II Production in Romania: Program on Track
The acquisition process has not slowed the pace of the program. Vehicles produced in Türkiye under the COBRA II ATBTU Program had already been manufactured, delivered to Romania, and are now deployed with the Romanian Armed Forces. In parallel, all production preparations at the Mediaș facility have been completed, and the initial phases of production are underway. Full assembly operations are scheduled to begin in June 2026.
NATO-Standard Production Infrastructure in Mediaș
Otokar is providing Romania with a modern, NATO-standard production infrastructure for armored vehicles -an asset that serves not only the current program but also the country’s broader defense industrial ambitions. The production scope at Mediaș covers the full manufacturing cycle -from metal
cutting and welding through painting, assembly, and quality testing. To ensure local teams meet Otokar’s global standards, the company has implemented dedicated on-the-job training and knowledge-transfer programs for Romanian technical staff.
The Mediaș manufacturing site spans approximately 140,000 square meters landsize and currently employs more than 250 workers and technical staff. The facility is fully equipped with NATO-standard infrastructure and licenses required for serial armored vehicle production.
An Investment with Long-Term Impact
This investment represents Otokar’s commitment to Romania as a long-term industrial partner. The project brings advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities directly into Romania. Every stage of the COBRA II production cycle will be carried out on Romanian soil, by Romanian teams trained to international standards. This is not a transfer of finished products; it is a transfer of know-how, industrial process, and technical competence.
In a defense landscape where countries increasingly seek to develop sovereign production capabilities rather than depend on imported equipment, this model positions Romania as an active manufacturing nation within NATO’s industrial ecosystem. It also opens new export opportunities: vehicles produced in Mediaș can serve as a platform for Romania’s integration into European and NATO supply chains, generating lasting economic and strategic value well beyond the scope of the current contract.
