PanOrient News | Turkish defense companies eye Japanese market

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Turkish defense companies eye Japanese market

Monday, June 9, 2025

PanOrient News

TOKYO: Turkish defense companies such as Otokar and Nurol Makina are eyeing the Japanese market as Japan increases its defense budget.

Global land systems manufacturer Otokar participated in DSEI (Defense and Security Equipment International) Japan 2025 in Chiba between May 21-23 and exhibited armored vehicles COBRA II, equipped with the KESKİN Turret and ARMA 8x8, equipped with the 30 mm MIZRAK Turret at its stand.

Sedef Vehbi, Otokar’s Military Cluster Head, said: "We are strengthening our position on a global scale every day. Over 33,000 of our military vehicles are on active duty in plus 40 countries. DSEI Japan, which we are attending for the first time, is an important opportunity to develop new collaborations. With our wide product range and experience in land systems, we are ready to meet the needs of the Japanese Armed Forces."

Media reports say Japanese manufacturer Komatsu has withdrawn from the market for light armored mobile vehicles and Turkish companies could fill the void.

Otokar says its COBRA II has a high power-to-weight ratio and “provides high protection against ballistic, mine, and IED threats” Its modular structure means the vehicle can be used as an armored personnel carrier, anti-tank weapons platform, reconnaissance platform, command control vehicle, recovery vehicle and medical evacuation vehicle.

Its multi-wheeled modular armored 8x8 vehicle ARMA can be fitted with a variety of options and protection and is also available with an amphibious kit.

Nurol Makina has been participating in DSEI Japan since 2019 and produces light armored vehicles. This year, it was represented by its UK subsidiary and displayed its four-wheel drive light armored vehicles “Dragon” and “NMS-L.”