The agreement covers the purchase of 96.77% of Automecanica’s shares for approximately €85 million, according to the company. Otokar said the investment will establish it as a defence manufacturer with production operations inside the European Union.
The company said the move reinforces its long-term commitment to Romania and supports sovereign defence manufacturing capabilities in line with obligations under the COBRA II ATBTU programme. It added that the acquisition will allow it to contribute more directly to European military procurement processes.
“This investment is a concrete expression of Otokar’s long-term commitment to Romania,” said Aykut Özüner, Chief Executive of Otokar.
“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,” he added.
Otokar said production under the COBRA II ATBTU programme remains on schedule, with vehicles already manufactured in Türkiye delivered and deployed with the Romanian Armed Forces. Preparations at the Mediaș facility have been completed, with initial production phases under way and full assembly operations expected to begin in June 2026.
The company said it is establishing a NATO-standard production infrastructure at the Mediaș site, covering the full manufacturing cycle from metal processing to final assembly and testing. It added that Romanian personnel are undergoing training and knowledge transfer programmes to meet its global production standards.
The facility in Mediaș spans around 140,000 square metres and employs more than 250 workers and technical staff. Otokar said the site is fully equipped with the licences and infrastructure required for serial armoured vehicle production.
The company described the investment as a long-term partnership aimed at embedding advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities within Romania. It said the project involves the transfer of industrial processes and technical expertise, rather than the delivery of finished products.
Otokar said the initiative aligns with broader trends among NATO countries seeking to strengthen domestic production capabilities. It added that vehicles produced in Romania could support integration into European and NATO supply chains, creating additional economic and strategic value beyond the current programme.
