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MOD has plans for the SVK defence industry's complex modernisation, starting in Dubnica nad Váhom

Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic

18.07.2024

The Slovak Defence Ministry has invested €10m in the complete replacement of the manufacturing machinery to make artillery gun barrels in the 100 - 155mm calibre range at ZTS Špeciál. This is the first step towards modernising and expanding Slovakia's defence industrial base, which will not only create new jobs on site, but also scale up its manufacturing capacity and ability to respond to increased market demands, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák and Director General of DMD Group Miroslav Sim announced at a press conference in the armament production facility in Dubnica nad Váhom.

During his visit to the company, Robert Kaliňák along with Miroslav Sim introduced a new machine for forming internal rifling grooves in gun barrels for artillery systems. This will soon be followed by modern machines for lathe, milling and other special operations. "ZTS Špeciál is unique for its ability to produce guns from 30mm to 155mm calibre. What is produced here and the people who work here are truly exceptional, and there are only a few production sites with such technological possibilities in the whole of Europe," Minister Kaliňák said.

In his words, the Slovak Defence Ministry is interested in expanding production in all of the defence companies that fall under the MOD's remit. ZVS Holding, KONŠTRUKTA - Defence and ZTS Špeciál - which belong to state-owned DMD Group - form the backbone of the State's support within the SVK defence industry. Separate technology replacement programmes have been designed for them, ensuring that they will keep developing further and guarantee permanent jobs. "This is about production with a high added value. There are three regions that are historically tied to armament production in Slovakia - that is why we want to restore Považie, Turiec and the surroundings of Detva to their former glory," Minister Kaliňák said.

According to him, what makes Slovakia most interesting for many markets is that a country of our size is capable of producing today's most sought-after munitions in the range from 30mm to 155mm calibre. "Similarly, we are also capable of producing 30mm - 155mm weapon systems for direct or indirect artillery support. You will not find this anywhere in the surrounding countries. So, it is important to invest in developing these companies and in improving the working conditions there. Only in this way will we carry this tradition into the future," he emphasised.

Thanks to the MOD's investment, ZTS Špeciál will accommodate an entire production line under Phase 1. As modern barrel manufacturing equipment replaces the outdated barrel-making machinery, the production line may be put into operation still this year. Transformed by new technologies, ZTS Špeciál will be capable of manufacturing up to 10 gun barrels a month, which is several times more than before. "Already today, the number of orders far exceeds our armament production capacity. Therefore, the expansion of armament production is an absolutely necessary step," Mr Kaliňák said.