Ukraine and Slovakia to Collaborate on New Self-Propelled Howitzer
Ukrainian and Slovak defense enterprises have agreed to jointly develop a new NATO-standard 155mm self-propelled howitzer, according to Slovak publication Dennik N.
The partnership for creating the self-propelled artillery unit (SAU) involves the Slovak state company Konštrukta Defence and the Kramatorsk Heavy Duty Machine Tool Building Plant from Ukraine, which manufactures its own howitzers.
"The combat experience of the Zuzana howitzers prompted Ukrainians to establish closer cooperation with their manufacturer - the state company Konštrukta Defence from Dubnica nad Váhom," the publication reports.
The Ukrainian and Slovak companies plan to adapt the Slovak self-propelled howitzer Eva to meet Ukrainian requirements. However, there are certain risks that these plans may not materialize, as noted in the publication. Elections are scheduled in Slovakia in September, and political parties that promise to halt military support to Ukraine could emerge victorious. Even commercial cooperation in the defense sector with Ukraine may be deemed unacceptable by these parties.
In early June, it was announced that Ukraine had signed a contract with Slovakia for the delivery of eight Zuzana 2 howitzers.
"I am pleased to confirm that the contract for Zuzana 2 howitzers for Ukraine has been signed - eight units will be delivered to Ukraine," said Slovak Minister of Defense Jaroslav Naď.
Furthermore, the Slovak government could assist Ukraine significantly in terms of artillery ammunition, more so than before, according to the defense minister.
As The Gaze reported, the repair and modernization of Ukrainian combat equipment will be carried out in Slovakia. The state-owned company Konštrukta Defence has already concluded a contract.
"We can confirm that the state-owned company 'Konštrukta Defence' has concluded a contract for the repair and modernization of Ukrainian combat equipment. The initial order concerns dozens of BRDM-2 armored vehicles," said Martina Koval Kakascikova, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic.
Additionally, it has been revealed that Denmark, Norway, and Germany have signed a memorandum of understanding with Slovakia regarding the funding of the production of self-propelled artillery units Zuzana 2 for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
According to the German Ministry of Defense, this involves 16 Slovak units, with deliveries scheduled to commence next year.
It should be noted that Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová has promised to support Ukraine's accession to the European Union. She intends to discuss this matter with European leaders.
The president stated that Slovakia's determination to assist Ukraine has only increased. She referred to the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 and drew parallels to current events in Ukraine.
"It was during that time that tanks came to destroy our efforts towards simplification and democratization of the totalitarian regime. Back then, the civilized world condemned the invasion, but it did too little to bring about change. Today, Ukrainians defend not only their freedom but also the law and rules that guarantee peace on our continent. By helping them, we prevent the world from making the same mistake it made in 1968," Čaputová said.