Armored cars Otokar Cobra II for Ukraine
Armored car Cobra II in a three-door case. Otokar Photos
Since the beginning of last year, Ukraine has regularly received armored vehicles of various models from foreign countries. The other day it became known about the next delivery of equipment of this class. Through the territory of a third country, a batch of Cobra II armored cars manufactured by the Turkish company Otokar was delivered to Ukrainian formations. In the near future they may appear in the combat zone.
Military cargo
Turkey and Ukraine have been cooperating in the military-technical sphere for a long time and mutually beneficially, and since last year there has been interaction in the field of armored vehicles. In August, the Turkish company BMC delivered 50 Kirpi armored vehicles to Ukrainian formations. Now it became known about the transfer of a new batch of equipment of a different type.
On April 13-14, a couple of curious videos appeared on the network, filmed by unknown operators on the territory of Romania. One of the recordings was reportedly made at a train station in Bacau in the east of the country; for the second, there is no georeferencing.
Both videos showed a moving train with platforms carrying two dozen Turkish-made Otokar Cobra II armored vehicles. The quality of the video and angles do not allow us to understand whether the same train was filmed in two videos, or if they are different echelons. It is alleged that the train (or trains) was moving in the direction of the Romanian-Ukrainian border.
Echelon with armored cars on the territory of Romania. Frame from the video from Telegram / "Poddubny"
It should be noted that earlier Turkey and Ukraine did not report any contracts for the supply of armored vehicles, incl. new version of Cobra. Nevertheless, such an agreement appeared, and now it is being implemented. The delivery was carried out without too much publicity, but it was not possible to completely hide it - unknown operators from Romania noticed the transportation of equipment and made it public.
Apparently, the echelon with Cobra II armored cars has already arrived on the territory of Ukraine, and its cargo has been handed over to the Ukrainian armed formations. Now it will take some time to master the received equipment, after which it will have to appear in the combat zone.
So far, we are talking about at least 20 Turkish-made armored cars. However, it cannot be ruled out that the two videos show different echelons, and the actual number of armored vehicles is higher. New shipments are also possible. However, taking into account various factors, up to the cost of equipment, it can be expected that deliveries will be limited to 20 known vehicles.
With improved protection
Back in the mid-nineties, the Turkish company Otokar Otomotiv ve Savunma Sanayi A.Ş. introduced the armored car Cobra. It had anti-bullet and anti-fragmentation protection, was distinguished by high mobility characteristics and could carry small arms or grenade launchers. The armored car turned out to be quite successful and was purchased by more than 20 countries.
Platforms with armored cars. Frame from the video from Telegram / "Poddubny"
In the course of mass exploitation and combat use, the shortcomings of the first Cobra were revealed. First of all, there were claims to the level of protection. The armored hull could not withstand any shelling and did not even protect against small explosive devices. In this regard, there was a need for a deep modernization of the existing design or the development of a new armored car.
In 2013, Otokar introduced a new MRAP-class armored car under the designation Cobra II. It retained some of the features of its predecessor, but the main structural elements and units were redesigned or replaced. Due to this, it was possible to significantly improve the key characteristics and transfer the car to the class "protected from mines and ambushes."
Since 2014-15 "Cobra-2" is mass-produced in the interests of different customers. The first batches of such equipment were made for the Turkish army and an unnamed state. In the future, Otokar received new orders from the Turkish and foreign military. Until recently, six countries-operators were known. Now Ukraine has added to this list.
Technical features
In terms of overall architecture, Cobra II differs little from the base sample. This is a two-axle all-wheel drive vehicle with an armored body. It is capable of transporting people or cargo, as well as carrying weapons for fire support of the landing. At the same time, it is considered primarily as a protected transport, but not as a full-fledged combat vehicle.
Echelon passes the station of Bacau. Caption (Rom.): "Morning at the Bacau train station ... in Suceava" Video frame from Telegram / Dambiev
The armored car received a protected body of the bonnet layout with a single habitable volume. The exact level of ballistic and mine protection is not disclosed. At the same time, it is reported that it is possible to supplement the body's own armor with overhead modules. In all cases, the level of protection remains within the limits specified by the STANAG 4569 standard. Protection is provided against bullets of various calibers, fragments and explosive devices weighing up to several kilograms, depending on the configuration.
Two versions of the body are offered - with three and five doors and a sunroof. Three doors make it possible to accommodate nine people in the car: two in the front row, one in the second and six in the seats in the stern. The five-door version allows you to increase the number of passengers up to 11.
Under the hood is a turbocharged diesel engine. The customer is offered several models of motors with power from 360 to 400 hp. There is an automatic transmission and a two-speed transfer case connected to axle differentials. Suspension - independent with springs and pneumatic shock absorbers. The wheels are equipped with run-flat inserts.
On the upper hatch of the armored car there is a turret with frontal and rear shields. It can be equipped with a normal or large caliber machine gun or an automatic grenade launcher. Part of the production vehicles received remotely controlled combat modules instead of a turret. Smoke grenade launchers are also provided for firing into the front hemisphere. There are loopholes on the sides of the cabin for the use of personal weapons landing.
Armored cars delivered in the original configuration, without hinged armor. Frame from video from Telegram / Dambiev
The total length of the Cobra II armored car does not exceed 6,4 m with a width of 2,75 and a height (along the hull) of 2,65 m. Strengthening armor protection led to a sharp increase in curb weight - this parameter reached 18,5 tons. For comparison, the first " Cobra "weighed only 6,2 tons. With all this, on the highway, the car speeds up to 110 km / h, the cruising range is 700 km. Armored car overcomes various obstacles. Water barriers are crossed along the fords no deeper than 1 m.
Common problems
Thus, Ukrainian formations once again receive foreign-made armored vehicles. This time, unlike a number of previous episodes, we are talking about modern armored vehicles, possibly recently rolled off the assembly line. However, despite the novelty, this technique will face a number of characteristic problems and challenges. They will negatively affect its operation, and can also lead to a fatal outcome.
In general, the Otokar Cobra II is a typical modern MRAP armored car. This is a vehicle with high driving characteristics, capable of protecting the crew from shelling and undermining. In addition, there is some potential for improvements through the installation of additional armor or replacement weapons.
However, in the context of the current hostilities, all the advantages of the Cobra-2, from novelty to modular armor, are practically irrelevant. For example, all the benefits can outweigh a small amount of technology. Two dozen armored cars will allow only a few units to be re-equipped. At the same time, they will have to be operated in parallel with a number of other types of equipment. As a result, the Ukrainian formations will receive transport, but its use will be at least difficult.
Composition head. Frame from video from Telegram / Dambiev
The performance characteristics of Otokar Cobra II show the presence of additional risks. So, high speed and mobility is provided only on a good road. Off-road or rough terrain, not to mention engineering barriers, will seriously impair the mobility of an armored car. In addition, it will be difficult for him to interact with tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and other combat vehicles, of course, if they are nearby.
Like other MRAPs, the Cobra-2 armored car is protected only from bullets and shrapnel. However, it is vulnerable to anti-tank weapons and small-caliber artillery shells. Mine protection is able to save the crew, but in any case, the vehicle will be disabled and will not be able to fully participate in the battles.
Predictable prospects
In general, we are talking about a familiar scenario. Ukraine, one way or another, managed to get modern armored vehicles abroad and, apparently, has already received them. Now they will be handed over to the armed formations and they will try to use them in combat. Probably, the Turkish Cobra II armored cars will become one of the means of the long-promised "counterattack".
However, in the current situation, the real value of imported armored cars will be limited. The Kyiv regime does not have to rely on them to influence the situation. In this case, the supplier again finds himself in an unconditionally advantageous position. The Turkish side has found another customer for its equipment, and Ukrainian losses may lead to new lucrative contracts.
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