Otokar Cobra

The Cobra is a family of armored vehicles produced by Otokar of Turkey. It is produced in two generations.

Otokar Cobra
An Otokar Cobra in Bangladesh victory day parade
TypeInfantry mobility vehicle
Place of originTurkey
Service history
In service1997–present
Used byOperators
WarsWar in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Russo-Georgian War
Kurdish–Turkish conflict
Boko Haram insurgency
Operation Euphrates Shield
Operation Olive Branch
Kosovo War
Production history
DesignerOtokar
ManufacturerOtokar
VariantsCobra

Cobra II

Both configurable as Armoured Personnel Carrier, Anti-Tank Vehicle, Amphibious vehicle, Reconnaissance Vehicle, Ground Surveillance Radar Vehicle, Forward Observation Vehicle, Armoured Ambulance
Specifications
MassCobra: 6,200 kg
LengthCobra: 5.23 m
WidthCobra: 2.22 m
HeightCobra: 2.1 m
CrewCobra 1+8
EngineCobra: 6.5 L, GM V8 diesel, water cooled, turbo charged
Cobra: 190 hp
TransmissionCobra: 4-speed automatic
SuspensionHelical coil suspension
Operational
range
Cobra: 752 km
Maximum speed Cobra: 115 km/h (72 mph)

The Cobra (Turkish: Kobra) is an armoured tactical vehicle developed by Turkish firm Otokar.[1][2]

Durability

The monocoque steel v-hull provides protection against small arms fire, artillery shell shrapnel, and to a certain degree against anti-personnel and tank mines, and IEDs. Front wheel arches are designed to be blown away to free blast pockets.[1]

In December 2016, footage of an ISIL attack against Turkish M-60 Sabra tanks circulating the Internet, showed the crew of a Cobra APC surviving a direct hit from an ISIL RPG.[3]

The Cobra vehicle forms a common platform which can be adapted for various roles and mission requirements including: armoured personnel carrier, anti-tank vehicle, reconnaissance vehicle, ground surveillance radar vehicle, forward observation vehicle, armoured ambulance, armoured command post, turreted vehicle for 12.7mm machine gun (turret produced by the Israeli firm Rafael), 20mm cannon, anti-tank missiles such as the TOW missile and Spike missiles or surface-to-air missiles.[1]

Cobras can be used as amphibious combat vehicles. Turkish naval forces are currently looking for a new amphibious vehicle and the Cobra is listed among the candidates for acquisition.

Cobra II
Otokar Cobra II
Otokar Cobra II at the IDEF 2019
TypeInfantry mobility vehicle with MRAP capabilities
Place of originTurkey
Service history
In service2013–present
Used byOperators
Production history
DesignerOtokar
ManufacturerOtokar
VariantsCobra
Specifications
Mass12,000 kg (26,000 lb)
Length5.6 m (18 ft)
Width2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Height2.2 m (7 ft 3 in)
Crew2+7
Engine6.7L, six-cylinder, water cooled, turbo charged, common rail, diesel engine
281 hp
Transmission6-speed automatic (6 forward + 1 reverse)
SuspensionHelical coil suspension
Operational
range
700 km (430 mi)
Maximum speed 110 km/h (68 mph)

The Cobra II (Turkish: Kobra II), a further development of the existing Cobra, is an armoured tactical vehicle designed and produced by Turkish company Otokar.[4] Cobra II is a 4x4 wheeled armoured vehicle and has a capacity for nine personnel including the driver and the commander.[5] It features high level of protection against threats from improvised explosive devices and land mines. Among its various functions are security and peacekeeping operations and border protection. The personnel carrier can be produced in different versions, according to different security requirements of the user thanks to its modular design.[6]

The tactical personnel carrier's overall length is 5.6 m (18 ft) with its width 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) and height 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in). Run flat, CTIS, air conditioning system, blackout lighting system and towing eye are among the standard equipment of the vehicle. It can be additionally fitted with a self-recovery winch, a CBRN filtration kit, automatic fire extinguishing system, navigation system, intercom system and an auxiliary power unit. It can be optionally equipped with a remote controlled weapon system (RCWS) of up to 30 mm machine gun or grenade launcher.[5]

It serves in the Turkish Armed Forces and security forces. It is also used by several other countries as well as by the United Nations in peacekeeping missions.[6] The development of the armoured vehicle, which is used for patrolling at the Syria–Turkey barrier, was funded by the European Union.[7] It was presented for the first time in May 2013.[5]

First unveiled at IDEF 2013, the Cobra II is a more heavily armoured successor to the Cobra. The Cobra II has a combat weight that is roughly double that of its predecessor and is slightly wider, longer and taller.[8]

Standard equipment includes rear view camera, thermal front camera, air conditioning system, blackout lighting system, multi-point seat belts, radio provisions, and a towing eye. It can be optionally equipped with a self-recovery winch, nuclear, biological and chemical filtration kit, automation fire extinguishing system, intercom system, navigation system and an auxiliary power unit.[9] In an APC configuration, the vehicle can carry nine personnel and can be armed with a number of different weapons, including crew-operated machine guns and remote weapon stations armed with short-range surface-to-air missiles and grenade launchers.[8]

Cobra II is powered by a 6.7L, six-cylinder, water cooled, turbo charged, common rail, diesel engine mated to an automatic gearbox (six forward and one reverse). It produces a power of 360 hp (269 kW) at 2,650rpm, and torque of 1100Nm at 1,400rpm. The engine is also compatible with F-34 and F-54 fuel. It has a maximum speed of 110 km/h (68 mph) and can operate in range of 700 km (430 mi).

Otokar has received orders for the Cobra II both from an undisclosed customer and from the Turkish Armed Forces.[8]

In late 2015, the Turkish Armed Forces ordered 82 Cobra II vehicles plus related systems, maintenance and support worth $52 million.[8][10][11] In June 2016, the Turkish Armed Forces ordered an undisclosed number of Cobra II vehicles plus related systems, maintenance and support worth $120.8 million.[12] Assuming the same value to vehicle ratio as the 2015 order, this would imply an order of about 180 vehicles.[12]

Export

Bangladesh

Received 22 Cobra IMV in 2007–2008, 22 in 2013, and 67 Cobra II MRAP in 2017–2018.[13]

Pakistan

According to sources, Pakistan purchased over 200 of these vehicles and plan to have about 500 in their inventory. A deal was concluded with TOT and the remaining vehicles are to be produced at Heavy Industries Taxila with additional orders for Otokar Akrep.

Ukraine

In May 2023 a video emerged on Reddit showing several Cobra II's in use by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Operational history

Georgia
Otokar Cobras during the independence day of Georgia, Tbilisi.

In the 2008 South Ossetia war, Cobra vehicles equipped with 12.7 mm NSV machine guns and 40 mm automatic grenade launchers[14] were used by the special forces of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs during their assault on the city in the Battle of Tskhinvali. One of the Cobras was destroyed and captured by the Russian army.[15] Cobras are also being used by Georgian UN forces in the Central African Republic.[16]

Nigeria

The Nigerian military has deployed Cobras during operations against the Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east of the country since 2013.[17]

Turkey

Cobras are actively being used by the Turkish Armed Forces within the country for anti-terrorism operations.

Cobras have shown to be highly resistant against most mine and IED attacks, with the crew surviving most incidents without any injuries. The increasing sophistication of IED use by the PKK and the loss of eight soldiers inside one on August 19, 2015, has prompted the Turkish Armed Forces to upgrade its fleet of armoured vehicles.[18] This has, in part, led to additional orders for the improved Cobra II.[11]

Cobras have also been used effectively by Turkish backed militias against ISIS and YPG during Operation Euphrates Shield.

Cobras were used by the Turkish Armed Forces as part of NATO's International Security Assistance Force and Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan.

Burkina Faso

A Burkinabe army vehicle was struck by an IED in the area of Kompienbiga, after hitting an IED laid by insurgents. The explosion overturned the vehicle, after which it caught fire; there were three killed and four wounded in the attack.[19]

Operators
Map of Otokar Cobra operators, in blue

Cobra

Cobra II

Former Operators
  • With the Slovenian Armed Forces
    With the Slovenian Armed Forces
  • Otokar Cobras during 2011 Baku Military Parade
    Otokar Cobras during 2011 Baku Military Parade
  • Cobra cockpit design
    Cobra cockpit design
  • Macedonian Army Cobra 4x4
    Macedonian Army Cobra 4x4
  • Otokar Cobra of Bangladesh Army
    Otokar Cobra of Bangladesh Army
  • Georgian Otokar Kobra
    Georgian Otokar Kobra

See also

Sources
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  2. "Otokar Cobra is a true all-terrain fighting machine". Fox News. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
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  7. Popp, Maximillian (29 March 2018). "EU Money Helped Fortify Turkey's Border". Der Spiegel (in German). Retrieved 10 January 2019.
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