The Slovak Ministry of Defence (MoD) is acquiring a 25 Zuzana 2 self-propelled howitzers, according to a local media report.

Deliveries of a first four 155 mm self-propelled howitzers for the Slovak armed forces are scheduled for the July 2020, another five by the end of the same year, eight more howitzer until the end of 2021 and the last eight artillery systems by the end of 2022.

The contract, announced by the Slovak MoD, is worth more than $206 million (EUR175 million) and includes crew training, spare parts, ammunition.

The Zuzana 2 is an advanced wheeled 155mm self-propelled gun-howitzer with automatic loading of ammunition developed by KONŠTRUKTA-Defence. The 155 mm self-propelled howitzer is mounted on a TATRA 8×8 special chassis. The chassis offers enhanced mobility and long range.

The artillery system is a new version of the 155mm / 45 calibre Zuzana self-propelled howitzer which entered into service with the Slovak Army in 1998.

The Slovak armed forces currently field 16 ShKH Zuzana 155 mm SPHs with a 45 calibre-length barrel.