Slovak plants ramp up production of shells for Ukraine despite Fico's policy - Le Monde

Slovakia, whose government led by Robert Fico refused to provide weapons to Ukraine free of charge from state reserves, continues to play an important role in supplying the Ukrainian army with ammunition. Slovak defense enterprises are expanding production of artillery shells due to demand from Ukraine and the rearmament of NATO countries.

This is reported by the French publication Le Monde, whose journalists visited several Slovak defense enterprises.

Slovak industry has become one of the important production centers for 155 mm artillery ammunition used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Enterprises in Snina, Dubnica nad Váhom, and Nováky manufacture shell components, assemble ammunition, and also conduct its testing and refurbishment.

One of the key manufacturers is ZVS Holding. The company is expanding capacity and modernizing equipment, combining existing industrial infrastructure with new automated production lines.

At the same time, 50% of ZVS Holding's shares are owned by the Slovak state through DMD Group. The rest is controlled by MSM Group, which is part of the Czech defense-industrial concern Czechoslovak Group (CSG).

Thus, the Slovak state remains a co-owner of one of the country's largest ammunition producers, despite Prime Minister Robert Fico's critical stance on military support for Ukraine.

The scale of the industry's growth is confirmed by official Slovak statistics. In 2025, the value of exports of ammunition for military weapons and their components reached 2.1 billion euros, an increase of 138.6% compared to the previous year.

This is the overall indicator of Slovak exports of the corresponding product category, not only deliveries to Ukraine. At the same time, according to Le Monde, Ukrainian demand has become one of the main factors in the expansion of production capacity.

CSG plays an important role in the development of the industry. In 2025, the Czech group's revenue increased to 6.7 billion euros. The company reported expansion of production, including the launch of automated lines for the assembly of 155 mm artillery ammunition in Slovakia.

In addition, CSG is developing licensed production of large-caliber ammunition directly in Ukraine. This allows the group to expand its production presence beyond the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

CSG is also one of the key participants in the Czech initiative to purchase artillery ammunition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to Le Monde, over two years this international program has provided Ukraine with 4.4 million large-caliber ammunition. The purchases are financed by 15 partner states, including Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark.

Ammunition for the program is purchased in various countries, including outside Europe. Therefore, the total volume of supplies under the Czech initiative cannot be equated with the number of shells produced at Slovak plants.

The Fico government stopped new free deliveries of weapons from state reserves, but did not ban commercial exports of defense products. This allowed Slovak enterprises to retain contracts and continue expanding production.

For the Slovak economy, the growth of the defense sector also means additional investments and jobs. Against the backdrop of difficulties in the European automotive industry, arms production is becoming one of the directions of the country's industrial development.

According to materials from: Le Monde, CSG, financial results for 2025, Statistical Office of Slovakia, data for 2025