The Ukrainian military has been using Turkish armored vehicles, the Otokar Cobra II, for some time now. Let’s take a closer look at these armored vehicles from Turkey.
It became known in the spring of 2023 that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had received Otokar Cobra II armored vehicles from Turkey. While the exact number of these vehicles supplied to the Ukrainian military has not been disclosed, some experts suggest that at least 20 units have been delivered. Moreover, this could be just a trial batch, with the possibility of a second and third batch to follow. There are speculations that a third country may have purchased the vehicles from Turkey and transferred them to Ukraine. Regardless of the details, these Turkish armored combat vehicles are helping Ukrainian defenders destroy the enemy.
That’s why we decided to take a closer look at the Otokar Cobra II armored combat vehicles and understand what makes them so appealing to our military. We invite you to get to know this Turkish armored vehicle better.
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History of Otokar Cobra II creation
Otokar is considered one of the world’s leading manufacturers of specialized military equipment. The company was founded in 1963, but it only entered the defense industry in 1987. Before that, Otokar focused on engine development and participated in various automotive projects. It wasn’t until 1987 that they produced Turkey’s first tactical wheeled vehicles. Today, the company is renowned for its tactical wheeled armored vehicles in 4×4, 6×6, and 8×8 configurations, as well as tracked armored vehicles and turret systems, all of which are tailored to meet the specific military needs of their clients.
In the mid-1990s, the Turkish company Otokar Otomotiv ve Savunma Sanayi A.Ş. introduced the Cobra armored vehicle. It featured bulletproof and shrapnel-resistant protection, had high maneuverability, and could be equipped with either firearms or grenade launchers. The design process for the vehicle began in 1994, and in 1995, the American company AM General joined the project. The Cobra was developed using components from the HMMWV armored off-road vehicle. The resulting armored combat vehicle proved to be quite successful and was subsequently purchased by over 20 countries.
During extensive operation and combat deployment, several shortcomings of the first Cobra became apparent. Customers primarily expressed concerns about the level of protection. The armored body could not withstand all types of gunfire and offered limited defense against even small explosive devices. This led to the need for a significant upgrade of the existing design or the development of a new armored vehicle. Turkish company developers and engineers took on this challenge.
In 2013, Otokar introduced a new MRAP-class armored vehicle called the Cobra II. While it retained some features of its predecessor, most of the key structural elements and components were redesigned or replaced. These improvements significantly enhanced the vehicle’s performance, elevating it to the “mine-resistant and ambush-protected” category.
Since 2014, the Cobra II armored vehicle has been in serial production for various clients. The initial batches were produced for the Turkish army and an unnamed country. Over time, Otokar has received additional orders from both Turkish and international military forces. Until recently, there were six known countries using the Cobra II, and now Ukraine has joined that list.
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Otokar Cobra II design features
In terms of overall architecture, the Cobra II does not differ significantly from the original model. It is a two-axle, all-wheel-drive vehicle with an armored body. The vehicle can transport personnel or cargo and even carry weapons for fire support of the landing force. However, it is primarily considered a protected transport vehicle for combat units rather than a fully-fledged combat machine.
The Otokar Cobra II’s all-metal body structure is built on a 4×4 chassis. Its modular design combines advanced technical and tactical characteristics. The standard layout of the vehicle includes an engine located in the front, a crew compartment in the middle, and a troop compartment in the rear. Personnel can enter and exit the vehicle through two side doors and a rear door.
The Cobra II is available in two body configurations: a three-door version and a five-door version, with an optional roof hatch. The three-door variant accommodates nine passengers: two in the front row, one in the second row, and six on the rear seats. The five-door version increases the passenger capacity to 11.
The Cobra II measures 6.4 meters in length, 2.5 meters in width, and 2.3 meters in height. It has a wheelbase of 3.5 meters and a ground clearance of 400 mm, with a total weight of 12,000 kg. This makes it a formidable armored vehicle.
The Cobra II armored vehicle comes equipped with a standard package that includes a rearview camera, a front thermal camera, an air conditioning system, dimmable lighting, multi-point seat belts, a radio system, and a towing hook. Power supply on board is provided by an electrical system consisting of a 400 A/24 V generator and 120 Ah batteries.
The Cobra II can optionally be equipped with a winch for self-recovery, biological, chemical, and radiological protection systems, an automated fire suppression system, an internal communication system, a navigation system, and an auxiliary power unit.
Providing high performance in challenging terrain and climate conditions, the vehicle is also available in an amphibious version, having successfully passed open sea swimming tests.
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Cobra II variants
Otokar is developing various configurations of the Cobra II armored personnel carrier, including:
- As a platform for launching anti-aircraft missiles
- Anti-tank version of the armored vehicle
- Command and control vehicle
- Ambulance / medical evacuation vehicle
- Internal security vehicle
- As a platform for creating obstacles
- Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAP)
- Mobile satellite communication vehicle
- As a mortar fire detection radar
- Personal vehicle with dual RCWS
- Personnel vehicle with open turret
- Reconnaissance and surveillance vehicle
- Evacuation vehicle.
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Armor of the Otokar Cobra II
The vehicle’s body is made from welded steel, providing protection against 7.62 mm caliber bullets, artillery shell fragments, mines, debris, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The crew compartment floor is equipped with a removable parabolic-shaped plate to deflect blast waves.
The bulletproof windows are located at the front and sides of the driver and commander positions, with the front windows equipped with washers and wipers.
The exact level of ballistic and mine protection is not disclosed. However, it is mentioned that the vehicle’s armor can be enhanced with additional modular panels. In all cases, the protection level remains within the standards set by STANAG 4569. This ensures protection against bullets of various calibers, fragments, and explosive devices weighing up to several kilograms, depending on the configuration.
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Armament
The armored vehicle’s top hatch is equipped with a turret featuring front and rear shields. This turret can mount a machine gun or an automatic grenade launcher. The Cobra II can also be fitted with a remote-controlled weapon system (RCWS) that includes a 25-mm machine gun. Additionally, smoke grenade launchers are provided for firing in the forward hemisphere.
There is also a version of the Cobra II equipped with a low-altitude air defense missile system (AiHSFS) from ASELSAN, which provides protection against aerial attacks. Additionally, the vehicle’s sides feature embrasures for the crew to use personal weapons.
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Powerful engine
The Cobra II armored vehicle boasts a 6.7-liter six-cylinder diesel engine. It works in tandem with an automatic transmission (six forward gears and one reverse gear), along with water cooling, turbocharging, and a battery-powered fuel system. This is a high-quality engine producing 281 horsepower at 2,500 RPM.
It’s worth noting that the engine meets the Euro-3 emissions standard. This standard regulates the levels of harmful substances in the exhaust gases of vehicles with both diesel and gasoline engines. Additionally, the Cobra II engine is compatible with military aviation fuel F-34 and diesel fuel F-54, making it quite versatile.
Good mobility
For armored vehicles of this type, mobility is crucial. The Cobra II excels in this regard. Its exceptional off-road capability and performance in challenging climates are impressive. This is due to its fully independent suspension, equipped with springs and shock absorbers, as well as air hydraulic brakes with an anti-lock braking system. The vehicle also features a centralized tire pressure regulation system and run-flat tires for enhanced off-road performance.
The Cobra II armored vehicle handles natural obstacles, ditches, and trenches with ease. It can climb slopes of up to 60% and navigate side inclines of up to 30%. The Cobra II is capable of fording water obstacles up to 1 meter deep, overcoming vertical obstacles up to 500 mm high, and crossing trenches up to 1 meter wide.
The Otokar Cobra II can reach a top speed of 110 km/h on the road and has a maximum range of 700 km.
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Additional equipment
The Otokar Cobra II is equipped with the ARMATRONICS system, which manages its electronics and includes an enhanced driver visibility system and an integrated display. Additionally, it features a lighting system with dimming capabilities that meets NATO standards. Notably, the vehicle also has systems for recording and playing back both video and vehicle data, built-in diagnostics, an engine start button, fog lights, and communication equipment.
Additionally, the Otokar Cobra II offers a range of optional equipment that can be tailored to specific operational needs. This includes a winterization kit, a self-recovery winch, a radiation, biological, and chemical filtration kit, an automatic fire and explosion suppression system, a radio/intercom system, smoke grenade launchers, an auxiliary power unit, a navigation system (GPS/INS), and extra gear such as a door ramp with an emergency exit and barricade-breaching tools.
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Tactical and technical characteristics of Otokar Cobra II
- Dimensions: length 6.4 m, width 2.5 m, height 2.3 m
- Armor: standard spaced multi-layer armor, compliance with STANAG 4569. Protection against 7.62 mm caliber shells, artillery shell fragments, mines, fragments and improvised explosive devices
- Armament: one machine gun of 7.62 or 12.7 mm caliber or one automatic cannon of up to 25 mm caliber
- Weight in combat gear: 14,5 т
- Engine: 6.7-liter diesel V6
- Power: 281 hp, 2500 rpm
- Maximum speed: 110 km/h
- Operating range: 700 km
- Capacity: 2 crew members + 9 special forces soldiers
- Additional equipment: CBRN protection system, night vision thermal imagers, navigation system (GPS/INS).
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Overall, the Otokar Cobra II is an excellent armored vehicle that provides high protection for military personnel in various conditions. It boasts impressive maneuverability, a powerful engine, and enhanced features that make it one of the best vehicles in its class.
Turkish armored vehicles like the Otokar Cobra II are already helping Ukrainian troops to defeat the enemy on the front lines. We are confident that such a reliable and protected armored vehicle is crucial for our defenders. Therefore, we are sincerely grateful to our Western partners, especially our friends from Turkey, for their support and the supply of modern weaponry.
We believe in our defenders. The invaders will have no escape from retribution. Death to the enemies! Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine! Glory to Ukraine!
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