Otokar Strengthens Its Commitment to Romania, Signs Acquisition Agreement

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Armored Vehicles to the Romanian Ministry of National Defense. The contract, valued at approximately 4.26 billion RON (around EUR 857 million, excluding VAT), is one of the most significant military vehicle procurement programs in Europe in recent years.

Under the program, a significant share of vehicles is to be produced locally, within a comprehensive industrial cooperation framework designed to support the development of Romania's defense sector and strengthen NATO's deterrence and defense posture on the Alliance's Eastern flank.

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. The company's armored vehicles are proven in diverse climates and high-risk operational environments, and are currently exported to nine European countries. This acquisition will mark the next step in a global growth strategy built on local partnerships, co-development, and in-country production — a model Otokar is committed to advancing across its allied and partner nations.