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Slovakia discussed with Uzbekistan cooperation in the production of ammunition and modernization of tanks
Slovakia is interested in together with Uzbekistan to produce ammunition and modernize military equipment, Prime Minister Robert Fitzo said after a meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. “The possibilities for Slovak companies are huge here - even more than we could imagine,” he said.
The Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fitzo said that Uzbekistan is of great interest for Slovak companies, especially in the field of defense industry. He informed reporters on June 9 after the Uzbek-Slovak business forum, held in Tashkent, the correspondent of Gazeta reports.
“We devoted a significant part of our conversation with Mr. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to a military-industrial complex,” he said. - We both agree that if the defense costs will grow, this should not happen at the expense of other sectors and be accompanied by the purchase of weapons only in the USA or Israel. Our duty is to produce as much as possible at home. ”
According to Robert Fitzo, the Slovak side introduced the segments of its own defense production to the president and Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, which, as he noted, "" becomes more successful. "
“Let me remind you that in 2024 the defense industry of Slovakia introduced more than 1.1 billion euros in the GDP, and in 2025 we expect it to be 1.5 billion euros,” he said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Slovakia is interested in starting joint projects in this area.
“If we were able to implement joint projects, such as the ammunition assembly lines that we talked about with the president, or the modernization of tanks of type T and infantry combat vehicles, the volumes could be even higher. We would invest in our own production and joint enterprises, ”he said.
According to Robert Fitzo, Uzbekistan has a significant army potential, including the technology of Soviet and Russian production.
“And given that in Uzbekistan a really large army, mainly equipped with a weapon of Russian or Soviet origin, the possibilities for Slovak companies are huge here-even more than we could imagine,” the Prime Minister said.
He indicated that soon the signing of the agreement between Slovakia and Uzbekistan on the issues of the defense industry is expected.
“I especially want to support the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Robert Kalinyak in this matter to continue in this direction,” he said.
In November last year, the military delegation of the Slovak Republic visited Uzbekistan.
The military industry of Slovakia
Slovakia doubled the export of weapons and ammunition in 2024 - up to more than 1.2 billion euros, becoming one of the largest weapons exporters in Europe on a share from gross domestic product. According to the chief economist of the Bank čsob Marek Gabris, the country last year reached a record volume of weapons exports. In the Slovak economy, 130 billion euros (and a population of 5.5 million people), the export of weapons and ammunition is 0.9% of GDP, writes Bloomberg.
Since the full-scale invasion of Russia into neighboring Ukraine, Slovak manufacturers of ammunition received record orders, despite the fact that Prime Minister Robert Fitzo excluded any military support to Ukraine from the Slovak authorities.
Defense Minister Robert Kalinyak expressed satisfaction with achieved results:
“I am glad that my modest expectations to increase production were justified. This is great because it creates jobs and salaries, ”he told reporters in Bratislav on Wednesday.
Slovakia with a production volume of more than 120 thousand shells per year is one of the largest manufacturers of large -caliber ammunition in Europe. Two companies belonging to the Czechoslovak Group, which is led by billionaire Michal Stapn, are engaged in production.
In addition to ammunition, plants that produce howitzers and other military equipment work in Slovakia.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Robert Fitzo signed a joint declaration of establishing a strategic partnership between Slovakia and Uzbekistan.
As previously reported, the countries agreed to increase trade and launch large joint projects in the agricultural sector, the localization of auto components, tourism and pharmaceuticals. The parties will work out the creation of a joint venture fund for IT startups and the establishment of organized migration.
The Prime Minister of Slovakia said that countries plan to increase trade to 100 million euros. He listed the projects implemented in Uzbekistan - the modernization of meteorological systems at airports, intellectual solutions in transport, the production of ferroalloys in Angrena and others.
Uzbekistan put forward the initiative to create joint projects with Slovakia for the production of components for cars - lighting systems, rubber products, sensors, brake systems, said Prime Minister Abdullah Aripov. Projects in the areas of IT, tourism, energy and others have also been discussed.
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