18 January 2001

Based on its experience in the design, development and production of light armoured vehicles based on the Land Rover Defender 4 x 4 chassis, Otokar Otobus Karoseri Sanayi AS has developed a new and more capable armoured personnel carrier called the Cobra.

The Cobra features a new all-welded one-piece armoured steel hull, fitted with the powerpack and drive train of the US AM General Enhanced Capacity Vehicle 4 x 4. The powerpack is at the front, driver and commander to the immediate rear and the troop compartment extends right to the rear of the vehicle.

Standard equipment includes an air-conditioning system, automatic transmission, power steering, firing ports, vision blocks with optional equipment including a central tyre-pressure regulation system, winch, NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection system and night-vision equipment.

The baseline Cobra vehicle can be fitted with a variety of turrets and weapon stations on the roof armed with 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns.

Specifications

Crew: 2 + 11

Configuration: 4 x 4

Armament: 1x 12.7mm machine gun (typical)

Combat weight: 6,000kg

Power-to-weight ratio: 31hp/t

Power pack: General Motors V-8 diesel developing 190hp coupled to automatic transmission

Length: 5.316m

Width: 2.156m

Height: 1.90m

Max speed: 110km/h

Range: 550km

Airportable: C-130 Hercules

Status

Production as required. In service with Maldives (3) and Turkey (5). The five vehicles bought by the Turkish Land Forces have undergone extensive testing and Otokar expects significant contracts will soon be placed. Through BAE Systems/DSD of the UK, the Cobra has been entered into the British Army competition for a Future Command and Liaison Vehicle.

Variants

Otokar has developed an amphibious version, propelled by two propellers mounted at the rear of the vehicle. There are also some specialised versions, including C2 reconnaissance/surveillance, anti-tank missile carrier and ambulance.

Manufacturer

Otokar Otobus Karoseri Sanayi AS, Istanbul, Turkey

Otokar Otobus Karoseri Sanayi AS developed Cobra (Source: Otokar Otobus)