Otokar, Türkiye’s leading land systems exporter and a key supplier to NATO and the United Nations, has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Automecanica S.A. and its production facility in Mediaș, marking one of the most significant foreign investments in Romania’s defense sector in recent years.
Following the approval of all regulatory authorities, Otokar finalized the acquisition of 96.77% of Automecanica’s share capital in a transaction valued at approximately EUR 85 million. The move transforms Otokar’s Mediaș facility into a major regional land systems hub for NATO-standard armored vehicles and positions Romania as one of Eastern Europe’s most important land systems industry.
The acquisition comes as Romania accelerates the modernization of its armed forces and strengthens industrial capabilities on NATO’s Eastern Flank. Through the investment, Romania gains not only a long-term industrial partner, but also advanced manufacturing know-how, technology transfer, and engineering capabilities. The acquisition strengthens Romania’s strategic autonomy by ensuring that a substantial portion of military vehicle production will take place domestically rather than relying entirely on imports.
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.
Aykut Özüner, Otokar CEO, said the completion of the acquisition reflects the company’s long-term confidence in Romania: “Romania is becoming one of the key defense manufacturing centers in Europe. Our investment is not simply a production decision — it is a strategic partnership focused on industrial growth, technological development, and regional security. We believe Romania has the talent, infrastructure, and strategic importance to become a long-term hub for advanced defense manufacturing.”
Özüner added that the project would create sustainable economic value for Romania through supplier development, engineering collaboration, and export opportunities tied to future NATO and European defense programs.
In November 2024, Otokar signed a contract with C.N. Romtehnica S.A. for the delivery of 1,059 COBRA II 4×4 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, nearly 800 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. The first Romanian-built COBRA II tactical armored vehicle was unveiled at the BSDA 2026 defense exhibition in Bucharest.
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. had been signed on April 29, 2026 for an approximate of 85 million EUR. Following the approval of all regulatory authorities, Otokar finalized the acquisition and added Automecanica S.A. to its subsidiary companies.
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.
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, technology transfer, and local production — a model Otokar is committed to advancing across its allied and partner nations.
