A memorandum of understanding was recently signed between Slovakia and Ukraine for the design of a new 155mm self-propelled artillery system.
A signed agreement for a Slovak-Ukrainian 155mm self-propelled howitzer.
Konštrukta-Defence, the Slovak arms company and the Ukrainian company Kramatorsk Heavy Duty Machine Tool Building Plant (KZVV) will co-develop a new 155 mm artillery system. It will be inspired by the Slovak self-propelled howitzer presented in 2015 and produced by Konštrukta-Defence named Eva. This has a range of 41 kilometers, similar to that of the French CAESAr produced by Nexter.
The two companies have announced that they have already signed a memorandum of understanding and announce their objective “to build a working prototype of the new howitzer within a year”, according to Alexander Gurský, director of Konstrukta Defence.
Quoted by the media Denník K and relayed by the Ukrainian media Militarnyi, the director of KZVV indicates “We have found in Konstrukta Defense a good and reliable partner with whom we are developing projects in the field of mortars, ammunition, the modernization of Bogdan project, as well as in the development of a new 155mm howitzer,” said Kramatorsk director Vitaliy Zagudaev, quoted by Slovak media Denník K.
The project undermined by the Slovak elections of September 2023?
Denník nevertheless stresses that this project could be jeopardized by the parliamentary elections in Slovakia which will take place in September 2023. Indeed, support for Ukraine is not unanimous in the country and, in the event of victory for this part of the Slovak political spectrum, risks could hang over the project… until the cancellation?
On this subject, Alexander Gurský is confident and indicates that major armament projects generally continue, even after a possible change of government; especially since the construction of the new artillery system would also benefit the Slovak defense industry. He points out that “The project with the Ukrainian partners is a huge opportunity for our whole (Slovak) arms industry, which has been either in decline since 1989 or at a standstill”.
