Purchases of ammunition produced in Slovakia can be financed with a loan from the Instrument of Security Action for Europe by strengthening the European defense industry (SAFE tool). Union countries could purchase ammunition by joining the framework agreement between the Ministry of Defense and the arms company ZVS Holding, half-owned by Czech businessman Michal Strnad. Slovakia owns the other half of the company. TASR was informed about this by company spokesman Andrej Čírtek.
“The sum of 58 billion euros reflects the maximum possible supply potential over a seven-year period. It is based on the total value of the available production capacity and shows the capabilities of the Slovak defense industry in the production of ammunition. The scope of the framework agreement assumes that other European states will also join it, which will thus obtain an effective tool for the procurement of ammunition under favorable financial conditions.” Čírtek explained.
The CEO of ZVS holding Jakub Krchňavý considers the conclusion of the contract to be one of the most significant milestones in the company’s modern history. “It is confirmation that our long-term investments in technology, people and production quality have moved Slovak ammunition to the absolute top in Europe,” he thinks. According to Čírtek, the contract provides for the delivery of 155-millimeter artillery ammunition, 120-millimeter tank ammunition, and 30- and 35-millimeter cannon ammunition.
