Defence Minister J. Naď: SVK defence industry has my full support, however, we need long-term solutions
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- Date: 15.05.2020
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Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď, joined by State Secretary of the SVK Ministry of Defence Marian Majer and Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko, met with representatives of the state-run DMD Group armaments producers in the Považie region today (15 May 2020). While in Dubnica nad Váhom, they visited state-run joint stock companies ZTS Špeciál, ZVS Holding and Konštrukta-Defence. They were interested to find out about the current situation of the companies, the ongoing development of technologies, the modernisation of military equipment and munitions, the future plans and the effects of the ongoing pandemic on the companies.
Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “The SVK defence industry has a longstanding tradition and our companies are comparable in quality with the international ones. From the perspectives of securing deliveries for the SVK Armed Forces, the economy and employment, they have significant potential and are in the strategic interest of the State. But to fully unlock this potential, we need long-term solutions for its development.”
At the same time, he emphasised that local manufacturers can rely on the support of the Department for their future development, cooperation and assistance in profiling themselves on the world market. “The domestic defence industry and the people it gives jobs are among our priorities,” said Minister Naď.
On his visit to Dubnica nad Váhom, the head of the MOD was updated on the ongoing production of 25 pieces of the upgraded Zuzana 2 Self-Propelled Gun Howitzers under a SVK MOD contract. On the modernisation programme, Mr Naď said: “I insist on my objections to the way the Zuzana 2 Self-Propelled Gun Howitzers were procured. Nevertheless, they are in the process of being manufactured and our task is to use them most effectively in order to serve the SVK Armed Forces and to strengthen their capabilities.”
During todayʹs away day, the Defence Minister also visited the Electro-Technical Research and Project Institute in Nová Dubnica. With the Institute managers, he spoke about the current situation and explored the possibilities of joint projects. Next, the MOD and Armed Forces senior leaders visited the SVK State Material Reserves Administration Branch in Čachtice to be updated on the COVID-19 crisis response. Even today, hundreds of service members have been involved in combating the spread of coronavirus. Among others, the SVK Armed Forces have so far distributed over 1,500 tonnes of material across Slovakia.
Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “The SVK defence industry has a longstanding tradition and our companies are comparable in quality with the international ones. From the perspectives of securing deliveries for the SVK Armed Forces, the economy and employment, they have significant potential and are in the strategic interest of the State. But to fully unlock this potential, we need long-term solutions for its development.”
At the same time, he emphasised that local manufacturers can rely on the support of the Department for their future development, cooperation and assistance in profiling themselves on the world market. “The domestic defence industry and the people it gives jobs are among our priorities,” said Minister Naď.
On his visit to Dubnica nad Váhom, the head of the MOD was updated on the ongoing production of 25 pieces of the upgraded Zuzana 2 Self-Propelled Gun Howitzers under a SVK MOD contract. On the modernisation programme, Mr Naď said: “I insist on my objections to the way the Zuzana 2 Self-Propelled Gun Howitzers were procured. Nevertheless, they are in the process of being manufactured and our task is to use them most effectively in order to serve the SVK Armed Forces and to strengthen their capabilities.”
During todayʹs away day, the Defence Minister also visited the Electro-Technical Research and Project Institute in Nová Dubnica. With the Institute managers, he spoke about the current situation and explored the possibilities of joint projects. Next, the MOD and Armed Forces senior leaders visited the SVK State Material Reserves Administration Branch in Čachtice to be updated on the COVID-19 crisis response. Even today, hundreds of service members have been involved in combating the spread of coronavirus. Among others, the SVK Armed Forces have so far distributed over 1,500 tonnes of material across Slovakia.
