A day of success stories in eastern Slovakia – Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák visits Snina, Sečovce and Strážske
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- Date: 04.10.2024
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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák attended the opening ceremony for a new production line for 155mm artillery shells at ZVS Holding in Snina on Friday 4 October 2024. The new production line will allow ZVS Holding to markedly expand production of shell bodies for large calibre munitions in the coming years.
Speaking from Snina, Mr Robert Kaliňák said: “Over the few years of its existence, this factory has managed to rise to the top in its field and to make a world name for itself. Its product – the 155mm artillery round with a range of up to 40km – belongs to the premium class in the world. Compared to foreign competitors, it is one of the few universal ones that can be used in a number of weapon systems. From my point of view, this is a huge success story we all should be rightly proud of – not only is employment up, but this is also about high added value manufacturing, and that’s exactly what we are trying to bring to the regions.”
The factory in Snina has undergone extensive modernisation in recent years. With the introduction of advanced robotic lines and systems, selected parts of the production process have gone automated. In addition, the factory's premises have been upgraded, as have the premises for employees. Thanks to this modern production facility, ZVS Holding will create dozens of new qualified jobs in the future. Since 2020, the number of ZVS Holding employees in Snina has gone up from just 75 to 180 today. And the company plans to more than double the number of jobs in the near future. By 2026, the annual production of 155mm artillery shells in Snina is expected to rise to 360,000 pieces.
In addition to touring Snina-based ZVS Holding, in which the SVK MOD is a 50-percent stakeholder, Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák along with representatives of MSM GROUP made a trip to the nearby town of Strážske to officially launch the restoration of the company premises of what used to be Chemko Strážske. It is there that MSM GROUP wants to launch production of bi-modular gunpower fillings for large calibre munitions. As a result, dozens of new jobs will be created in the region.
With the help of the MOD, the Slovak defence industry will soon be capable of handling every aspect of the entire artillery shell production process – from producing shell bodies and individual components through to filling shells with gunpower. Thanks to this, Slovakia will achieve absolute self-sufficiency in shell production, which means delivering secure and sustainable munitions supplies to the Slovak Armed Forces and potential munitions sales abroad, to support domestic economic growth.
Speaking from Strážske, Mr Robert Kaliňák said: “This site will be part of the entire production chain that we have within the defence industry in Slovakia. While in Snina we could see the result of a success story that began to be written ten years ago, given the funding and resources available here too, I am convinced that an equally modern and safe production facility will be a good source of support for the entire region.”
As part of today's work programme in Sečovce, the Defence Minister paid a visit to a local grammar school and the Technology & Services Secondary Vocational School, where he familiarised himself with the education and training for young students on the Security & Protection Services Programme. On this occasion, the MOD signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with this educational institution.
Speaking from Snina, Mr Robert Kaliňák said: “Over the few years of its existence, this factory has managed to rise to the top in its field and to make a world name for itself. Its product – the 155mm artillery round with a range of up to 40km – belongs to the premium class in the world. Compared to foreign competitors, it is one of the few universal ones that can be used in a number of weapon systems. From my point of view, this is a huge success story we all should be rightly proud of – not only is employment up, but this is also about high added value manufacturing, and that’s exactly what we are trying to bring to the regions.”
The factory in Snina has undergone extensive modernisation in recent years. With the introduction of advanced robotic lines and systems, selected parts of the production process have gone automated. In addition, the factory's premises have been upgraded, as have the premises for employees. Thanks to this modern production facility, ZVS Holding will create dozens of new qualified jobs in the future. Since 2020, the number of ZVS Holding employees in Snina has gone up from just 75 to 180 today. And the company plans to more than double the number of jobs in the near future. By 2026, the annual production of 155mm artillery shells in Snina is expected to rise to 360,000 pieces.
In addition to touring Snina-based ZVS Holding, in which the SVK MOD is a 50-percent stakeholder, Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák along with representatives of MSM GROUP made a trip to the nearby town of Strážske to officially launch the restoration of the company premises of what used to be Chemko Strážske. It is there that MSM GROUP wants to launch production of bi-modular gunpower fillings for large calibre munitions. As a result, dozens of new jobs will be created in the region.
With the help of the MOD, the Slovak defence industry will soon be capable of handling every aspect of the entire artillery shell production process – from producing shell bodies and individual components through to filling shells with gunpower. Thanks to this, Slovakia will achieve absolute self-sufficiency in shell production, which means delivering secure and sustainable munitions supplies to the Slovak Armed Forces and potential munitions sales abroad, to support domestic economic growth.
Speaking from Strážske, Mr Robert Kaliňák said: “This site will be part of the entire production chain that we have within the defence industry in Slovakia. While in Snina we could see the result of a success story that began to be written ten years ago, given the funding and resources available here too, I am convinced that an equally modern and safe production facility will be a good source of support for the entire region.”
As part of today's work programme in Sečovce, the Defence Minister paid a visit to a local grammar school and the Technology & Services Secondary Vocational School, where he familiarised himself with the education and training for young students on the Security & Protection Services Programme. On this occasion, the MOD signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with this educational institution.
