Prague/Bratislava – ZVS Holding has established a framework agreement with the Slovak Republic’s Ministry of Defence for the provision of large- and medium-calibre ammunition for European Union (EU) nations, valued at up to 58 billion euros. This information comes from the CSG group, led by Czech entrepreneur Michal Strnad, which holds a 50% stake in the Slovak ammunition producer, with the remainder owned by the Slovak state, as reported by TASR based on information from the IDNES portal.
This contract is predicated on the maximum production capacity and aims to serve as a platform for other European governments to participate. The Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic indicates that Slovakia could emerge as a strategic ammunition supplier for the EU.
The European programme SAFE is expected to facilitate funding for these purchases at an interest rate of approximately 1%, with a repayment period of up to 40 years.
According to IDNES, citing Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer-SD), discussions are already in progress with several countries interested in joining this initiative.
The industrial group Czechoslovak Group (CSG) will also participate in the framework agreement between ZVS Holding and the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic. As noted by Jan Marinov, head of the CSG Defence division, they possess production capabilities within Europe and aim to be fully involved in the project.
ZVS has stated that this contract marks a significant milestone in its recent history. The company is set to be the primary supplier of 155 mm calibre artillery ammunition, 120 mm calibre tank ammunition, and 30 and 35 mm calibre cannon ammunition.
This initiative is expected to result in the standardization of ammunition types among multiple nations, volume discounts, and long-term supply security from European manufacturers.
Slovakia is among the leading global producers of large-calibre ammunition
Slovakia ranks as a top global producer of large-calibre ammunition, contributing roughly 2% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) from ammunition manufacturing. The ZVS factory in Dubnica nad Váhom is the central enterprise in this production chain. The SAFE programme allows EU member states to access favorable loans of up to 150 billion euros for defense initiatives, with Slovakia planning to utilize 2.3 billion euros from this programme, including nearly 40 million euros earmarked for its own armed forces’ ammunition procurement. (5 December)
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