Ecuadorian Armed Forces Receive 20 COBRA II Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicles From Turkey
Ecuador’s Armed Forces announced on August 7 that they had received 20 COBRA II 4×4 Tactical Wheeled Armored vehicles from Turkish military vehicle manufacturer Otokar. Guillermo Lasso, President of the Republic of Ecuador, stated that the armored vehicles in question were provided to strengthen the Ecuadorian Armed Forces’ operational capabilities against threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking, and organized crime groups. On his social media account, President Lasso also shared a video of the transport of the COBRA II armored vehicles to Ecuador. The video shows COBRA IIs being lifted ashore by crane from the hold of a cargo ship docked in the country’s Guayaquil Port.
Until the delivery in question, it was not known that Ecuador had signed a contract with Otokar for the supply of COBRA II 4×4 Tactical Wheeled Armored vehicles. As a result, it is currently unknown whether the delivery covers the entire contract or whether new armored vehicles will be delivered to Ecuador in batches in the future.
OTOKAR COBRA II is an improved version of the Cobra I armored vehicle, which has been used in the field by many foreign users, as well as the Turkish Armed Forces, since 1997 and has proven its success. When compared to its predecessor, the COBRA II provides greater ballistic and mine protection, a larger interior volume, increased carrying capacity, and better mobility. These armored vehicles, which are optimized for high performance in all types of climates, region, and terrain conditions, including residential and rural areas, can carry 11 personnel, including the driver.
Thanks to its modular structure, the vehicle, which has a monocoque structure, can be adapted to different tasks that require personnel carrier, weapon platform, CBRN reconnaissance, ground surveillance radar, internal security, ambulance and command and control vehicle configurations, lacks a chassis and is fully armored. Cobra II has a total length of 6.4 meters, a width of 2.5 meters, and a weight of 13 tons. The vehicle, powered by a 360-horsepower turbocharged diesel engine, can reach a top speed of 110 km/h and is capable of handling 60% steep slopes and 30% side slopes. The vehicle also includes an internal and external fire suppression system to combat fires that may occur in the vehicle’s personnel or engine compartments.