Otokar Cobra Explained

Otokar Cobra
Origin:Turkey
Type:Infantry mobility vehicle
Variants:CobraCobra II

Both configurable as Armoured Personnel Carrier, Anti-Tank Vehicle, Amphibious vehicle, Reconnaissance Vehicle, Ground Surveillance Radar Vehicle, Forward Observation Vehicle, Armoured Ambulance

Designer:Otokar
Manufacturer:Otokar
Service:1997–present
Used By:Operators
Wars:War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Russo-Georgian War
Kurdish–Turkish conflict
Boko Haram insurgency
Operation Euphrates Shield
Operation Olive Branch
Kosovo War
Is Vehicle:yes
Crew:Cobra 1+8
Length:Cobra: 5.23 m
Width:Cobra: 2.22 m
Height:Cobra: 2.1 m
Weight:Cobra: 6,200 kg
Engine:Cobra: 6.5 L, GM V8 diesel, water cooled, turbo charged
Engine Power:Cobra: 190 hp
Suspension:Helical coil suspension
Speed:Cobra: 115 km/h (72 mph)
Vehicle Range:Cobra: 752 km
Transmission:Cobra: 4-speed automatic

The Cobra (Turkish: Kobra) is a family of armoured tactical vehicle developed by Turkish firm Otokar. It is produced in two generations. The first generation has some subsystems from the Humvee.[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. Otokar Cobras also have the option to be fitted with Q-Nets.

In December 2016, footage of a PKK attack against Turkish M-60 Sabra tanks circulated the Internet, showing the crew of a Cobra APC surviving a direct hit from a shoulder-launched, RPG-7 anti-tank rocket. [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.

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
Origin:Turkey
Type:Infantry mobility vehicle with MRAP capabilities
Variants:Cobra
Designer:Otokar
Manufacturer:Otokar
Service:2013–present
Used By:Operators
Is Vehicle:yes
Crew:2+7
Engine:6.7L, six-cylinder, water cooled, turbo charged, common rail, diesel engine
Engine Power:281 hp
Suspension:Helical coil suspension
Transmission:6-speed automatic (6 forward + 1 reverse)

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. Cobra II is a 4x4 wheeled armoured vehicle and has a capacity for nine personnel including the driver and the commander. 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.

The tactical personnel carrier's overall length is with its width and height . 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.

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. The development of the armoured vehicle, which is used for patrolling at the Syria–Turkey barrier, was funded by the European Union. It was presented for the first time in May 2013.

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.[4]

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.[5] 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.

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.

In late 2015, the Turkish Armed Forces ordered 82 Cobra II vehicles plus related systems, maintenance and support worth $52 million.[6] [7] 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.[8] Assuming the same value to vehicle ratio as the 2015 order, this would imply an order of about 180 vehicles.

Export

Bangladesh

Received 22 Cobra IMV in 2007–2008, 22 in 2013, and 67 Cobra II MRAP in 2017–2018.[9]

Ukraine

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

Operational history

Georgia

In the 2008 South Ossetia war, Cobra vehicles equipped with 12.7 mm NSV machine guns and 40 mm automatic grenade launchers[10] 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.[11] Cobras are also being used by Georgian UN forces in the Central African Republic.[12]

Nigeria

The Nigerian military has deployed Cobras during operations against the Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east of the country since 2013.[13]

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.[14] This has, in part, led to additional orders for the improved Cobra II.

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.[15]

Operators

Cobra

Cobra II

See also

External links


Notes and References

  1. https://www.militarytoday.com/apc/cobra.htm
  2. Web site: Otokar Cobra is a true all-terrain fighting machine. Fox News. 20 September 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924115837/http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/11/14/otokar-cobra-is-true-all-terrain-fighting-machine/. 24 September 2015.
  3. Web site: Kurdish insurgents attacked Turkish Otokar Kobra with RPG. www.youtube.com.
  4. Web site: Otokar's Cobra II 4x4 receives its first orders IHS Jane's 360. www.janes.com. 2016-04-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081231/http://www.janes.com/article/57021/otokar-s-cobra-ii-4x4-receives-its-first-orders. 2016-03-04. live.
  5. News: Cobra II Tactical Wheeled Armoured Vehicle. Army Technology. 2016-04-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20160420062411/http://www.army-technology.com/projects/cobra-ii-tactical-wheeled-armoured-vehicle. 2016-04-20. live.
  6. Web site: Turkey contracts Otokar for Cobra II armored vehicles. UPI. 2016-04-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20160612043832/http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2015/12/24/Turkey-contracts-Otokar-for-Cobra-II-armored-vehicles/9851450982184/. 2016-06-12. live.
  7. Web site: Turkey Picks Otokar for $52M Armored Vehicle Contract. Defense News. 22 December 2015. 2016-04-21.
  8. Web site: Turkey orders more Cobra II armoured vehicles IHS Jane's 360. www.janes.com. 2016-06-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20160626154924/http://www.janes.com/article/61726/turkey-orders-more-cobra-ii-armoured-vehicles. 2016-06-26. live.
  9. Web site: Trade Registers . SIPRI . 13 May 2021.
  10. http://www.ceiig.ch/pdf/IIFFMCG_Volume_III.pdf Independent International Fact Finding Mission on the Conflict in Georgia, Final report Volume III.
  11. Web site: Lostarmour ID: 22283. lostarmour.info.
  12. Web site: Georgian Military Conducted Patrolling in the Central African Republic - News - MOD.GOV.GE. mod.gov.ge.
  13. Web site: SECURITY OPERATIONS IN INSURGENCY-PRONE 'EMERGENCY RULE' AREAS OF N.E NIGERIA : EID-EL-FITR CELEBRATIONS 8-9 AUGUST, 2013 (PHOTO CREDIT: SUNDAY ALAMBA/ASSOCIATED PRESS) - Beegeagle's Blog. Beegeagle's Blog. 22 August 2013. 20 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160312050352/https://beegeagle.wordpress.com/2013/08/22/security-operations-in-insurgency-prone-emergency-rule-areas-of-n-e-nigeria-eid-el-fitr-celebrations-8-9-august-2013-photo-credit-sunday-alambaassociated-press/#comments. 12 March 2016. live.
  14. Web site: Turkish army to upgrade armored vehicles - POLITICS. hurriyetdailynews.com. 21 August 2015 . 20 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134107/http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-army-to-upgrade-armored-vehicles.aspx?pageID=238&nID=87282&NewsCatID=338. 24 September 2015. live.
  15. Web site: "Кобра" устарела: защита бронеавтомобиля оказалась недостаточной. Rossiyskaya Gazeta. 25 December 2018 . 2018-12-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20181225175141/https://rg.ru/2018/12/25/kobra-ustarela-zashchita-broneavtomobilia-okazalas-nedostatochnoj.html. 2018-12-25. live.
  16. News: APA - Turkey's Otokar to complete Cobra armored vehicle supply to Azerbaijan in June - INTERVIEW . 2011-03-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120325182425/http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=142490 . 2012-03-25 . dead .
  17. Web site: ناقلات الجنود المدرعة تركية الصنع !. 2016-10-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20170101182900/http://www.arabic-military.com/t60196-topic. 2017-01-01. live.
  18. Web site: Bahrain - Army Equipment. Pike. John. www.globalsecurity.org. 2016-10-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20170311184939/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/gulf/bahrain-army-equip.htm. 2017-03-11. live.
  19. News: Otokar cobra of Dhaka Metropolitan Police ~ Bangladesh Defence. defencebd.com. 20 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20140606065636/http://www.defencebd.com/2011/07/otokar-cobra-of-dhaka-metropolitan.html#.U6ck5kDRW40. 6 June 2014. dead.
  20. News: de Cherisey . Erwan . Burkina Faso shows new Cobra armoured vehicles . IHS Jane's 360 . 20 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181220202749/https://www.janes.com/article/85347/burkina-faso-shows-new-cobra-armoured-vehicles . 20 December 2018 . Paris . 20 December 2018 . live.
  21. http://www.defenceweb.co.za/land/land-land/turkey-donates-otokar-cobras-to-gambia/
  22. http://www.savunmatr.com/turkiyeden-gambiyaya-otokar-cobra-zirhli-arac-hibesi/
  23. News: de Cherisey . Erwan . Ghana Army shows new Otokar Cobra vehicles . IHS Jane's 360 . 13 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191113165641/https://www.janes.com/article/92548/ghana-army-shows-new-otokar-cobra-vehicles . 13 November 2019 . Paris . 13 November 2019 . live.
  24. News: Otokar Kazakistan'da 'Cobra' üretecek. 7 May 2012. MİLLİYET HABER - TÜRKİYE'NİN HABER SİTESİ. 20 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20140331095836/http://ekonomi.milliyet.com.tr/otokar-kazakistan-da-cobra-uretecek/ekonomi/ekonomidetay/07.05.2012/1537360/default.htm. 31 March 2014. dead.
  25. Web site: Turqia e mbështet fuqishëm FSK-në. MFSK - MKBS - MKSF. 20 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20170214223912/http://mksf-ks.org/?page=1,24,696. 14 February 2017. dead.
  26. News: Cobra Light Armoured Vehicle - Army Technology. army-technology.com. 20 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160406132949/http://www.army-technology.com/projects/cobra. 6 April 2016. live.
  27. News: Mauritania deploys new armoured vehicles for peacekeeping mission. janes.com. 18 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160121093800/http://www.janes.com/article/57299/mauritania-deploys-new-armoured-vehicles-for-peacekeeping-mission. 21 January 2016. live.
  28. Web site: Ministarstvo nastavlja nadogradnju "cobre". vijesti.me. 5 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170509052630/http://www.vijesti.me/vijesti/ministarstvo-nastavlja-nadogradnju-cobre-936536. 9 May 2017. live.
  29. Web site: Archived copy . www.janes.com . 15 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170622123315/http://www.janes.com/images/assets/520/71520/New-model_African_armies.pdf . 22 June 2017 . dead.
  30. Web site: DM Besimi receives Turkish donation for ARM. Влада на Република Македонија. 6 December 2012. 20 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160126110108/http://vlada.mk/node/5269?language=en-gb. 26 January 2016. live.
  31. http://world-defense.com/threads/otokar-cobra-4x4-apc-officially-serves-in-the-saudi-national-guards.3805/
  32. Web site: 36.000 evrov za uro leta. Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija. 20 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20190104180034/https://www.rtvslo.si/modload.php?&c_mod=rnews&op=sections&func=read&c_menu=1&c_id=176034. 4 January 2019. live.
  33. Web site: Video: captured Turkish Otokar Cobra armored vehicle. Defence Watch. 14 March 2017. https://archive.today/20170314111111/http://defense-watch.com/2016/12/30/video-captured-turkish-otokar-cobra-armored-vehicle/. 14 March 2017. 30 December 2016. dead.
  34. Web site: NDF on Twitter: Another Turkish armored (Otokar Cobra) has been captured by Syrian Army from #ISIS #EastAleppo. Twitter. 14 March 2017. https://archive.today/20170314111225/https://twitter.com/NatDefFor/status/840683098660581376. 14 March 2017. 11 March 2017. dead.
  35. Web site: Mitzer . Stijn . Blue's Clues: Turkmen Otokar Urals And Cobras . Oryx Blog . 15 January 2022.
  36. Web site: Turkey's Otokar Wins Armored Vehicle Contract From UN. https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20140310214652/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140306/DEFREG01/303060017/Turkey-s-Otokar-Wins-Armored-Vehicle-Contract-From-UN. dead. March 10, 2014. Defense News. 20 September 2015.
  37. Web site: Trade Registers. armstrade.sipri.org. 2019-04-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20171229003804/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php. 2017-12-29. live.
  38. Web site: Teslim aldıkları Türk zırhlılarını böyle karşıladılar: Harika haber | STAR. 7 August 2023. Star.com.tr. 7 August 2023.
  39. Web site: Otokar Cobra II ve Nurol Ilgaz zırhlıları Fildişi Sahilli'nde görüntülendi . 6 August 2022 .
  40. Web site: Yeni Akit Gazetesi - Haberler - Son Dakika Haberleri . 8 December 2019 .
  41. http://inbusiness.kz/ru/last/pochemu-v-minoborony-kazahstanskomu-alan-2-predpochli-tureckuyu-kobru-2
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  43. http://www.savunmatr.com/fastan-136-milyon-dolarlik-otokar-cobra-ii-4x4-zirhli-arac-tedariki
  44. http://www.defenceturk.net/turkiyeden-fasa-cobra-ii-ihracati-iddiasi
  45. http://patronlardunyasi.com/haber/fas-kraliyet-silahli-kuvvetleri-far-turkiye-den-200-adet-cobra-2-zirhli-arac-siparis-etti/303708
  46. http://beyazyakaris.com/fas-kraliyet-silahli-kuvvetleri-far-turkiyeden-200-adet-cobra-2-zirhli-arac-siparis-etti/
  47. http://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_september_2022_global_security_army_industry/rwanda_military_contingent_in_mozambique_operating_with_turkish_made_otokar_cobra_ii_apcs Rwanda military contingent in Mozambique operating with Turkish made Otokar Cobra
  48. http://x.com/sundance_22/status/1800457087887212943
  49. http://x.com/ismaeelk21/status/1800429013544169475
  50. http://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/army-news-2024/saudi-special-forces-buy-turkish-otokar-cobra-ii-armored-vehicles-to-strengthen-mecca-security
  51. http://www.defenceturk.net/senegale-ihrac-edilen-cobra-ii-zirhlilari-goruntulendi
  52. http://x.com/jakepor21/status/1643567435465777153
  53. http://x.com/jakepor21/status/1643567438267547648
  54. French: [https://www.menadefense.net/afnord/otokar-cobras-larmee-tunisienne/ Des Otokar Cobras pour l’armée tunisienne]
  55. Web site: Turkish Otokar Cobra II armoured vehicles received by AFU .

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