Otokar’s armored vehicles to be used in UN missions

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

The Cobra 4x4 vehicles are fully manufactured in Turkey, producer Otokar says. Company photo

Otokar, a leading Turkish vehicle maker also active in the defense industry, has signed its first $12.5 million deal for 2012.

The company will export the Cobra 4x4 model armored vehicles and various parts to be used by the United Nations security forces, according the company press release. Otokar expects to deliver these items in the first quarter of 2012.

However, the statement did not disclose to which country the vehicles would be delivered.

“Otokar’s Cobra 4x4 model continues to represent Turkey’s defense industry in the best possible way. The Cobra is considered one of the world’s most successful and well known armored defense vehicles. It is in its own class,” said Serdar Görgüç, Otokar’s General Manager.

He is proud of the vehicle’s reputation, especially considering it was 100 percent locally produced by local engineers and workers, he added.

The Cobra’s design makes it especially effective in protecting against mine and bomb explosions.

The Cobra 4x4 is particularly adventegeous in narrow in arrow sites due to its dimensions, the company said.

Otokar, Turkey’s third largest automobile producer according to the statement, is part of the Koç Group. It produces buses, minibuses, trailers, semi-trailers and tractors, in addition to its defense vehicle production.