By means of a joint venture, the Turkish company Otokar increases its local presence and becomes ready to provide the TULPAR IFV under Romania’s next-generation tracked vehicle project.
Defence Industry Europe reports that Romania's Ministry of National Defence (MApN) has verified intentions to buy 246 tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) as part of a top-priority procurement initiative meant to modernise the Romanian Land Forces. Deliveries expected over an eight-year period accompany the purchase of integrated logistical support and training simulators. The contract is expected to be signed before the end of 2025.
The programme seeks to enhance the Romanian Army’s mobility, firepower, and battlefield survivability. According to the outlet, the current fleet consists of around 142 ageing IFVs, including the Soviet-derived MLI-84 and the upgraded MLI-84M “Jderul” variant. These vehicles will be replaced by modern, NATO-interoperable systems.
Otokar launches joint venture in Romania
In parallel to this upcoming tender, Türkiye’s Otokar has significantly expanded its presence in Romania after securing a landmark contract in late 2024. The company was awarded a deal for 1,059 COBRA II 4×4 tactical wheeled armoured vehicles, valued at €800 million, marking the largest single export contract in Turkish defence industry history.
To implement this programme, Otokar established a 50-50 joint venture with Romanian defence company Automecanica S.A. The new entity will produce COBRA II vehicles locally in Romania and undertake engineering, marketing, after-sales, and integrated logistics support activities. While the rest will be made locally in Romania, the first 278 cars will be manufactured in Türkiye. Deliveries are anticipated to start in late 2025 and last for five years.
TULPAR to compete in tracked IFV tender projected to exceed €2.5 billion
While no manufacturer has yet been selected for the tracked IFV programme, Otokar is widely expected to propose its TULPAR platform. According to Army Recognition, the total value of the tender could reach or even exceed €3 billion, making it one of the largest tracked vehicle procurements in Europe. Otokar’s TULPAR, featuring modular armour, advanced firepower options, and NATO-compliant systems, has already been showcased in multiple export markets.
Army Recognition also reports that Poland-based PGZ Group is another major contender, offering its Borsuk IFV for the Romanian competition. Both companies presented their systems during the BSDA 2024 exhibition, held in Bucharest last May.
Other competing platforms observed during BSDA included:
Redback (Hanwha Aerospace),
KF41 Lynx (Rheinmetall),
CV90 (BAE Systems),
ASCOD 2 (General Dynamics European Land Systems).
Strategic implications
With Otokar’s newly established local presence, prior procurement success, and joint production capability, the company holds a strategically advantageous position in the competition. Romania’s upcoming tracked IFV acquisition is a central pillar of its NATO-aligned modernisation goals, particularly as the country responds to increased regional security concerns.
Author: Özgür Ekşi
