Azerbaijan secures €210 million deal for 300 Slovak SAM-120 mortars

Azerbaijan and Slovakia signed a framework contract during the World Defence Show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, covering the purchase of SAM-120 automatic mortars produced by Slovak defence manufacturer ZŤS Spéciál.

The deal, worth €210 million, covers the purchase of approximately 300 mortars, Caliber.Az reports via Slovak media.

Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák emphasised that Azerbaijan holds an option for the remaining units. Production at the Dubnica plant is set to begin immediately after the agreement is signed, with Slovakia planning to showcase the first mortar for Azerbaijan at the Baku exhibition in autumn 2026. 

Discussions are also planned on the possible license purchase and partial or full local production in Azerbaijan.

“This is probably the largest deal ZŤS Špeciál has concluded in recent times, and perhaps in its history. We believe it marks a renewed confidence in the Slovak defence industry,” the minister said. 

He added that the framework contract represents two main avenues for cooperation with Azerbaijan’s defence industry ministry.

Kaliňák highlighted the significance of the deal as a major contract unrelated to activities in Ukraine and noted that other countries have shown interest.

By Jeyhun Aghazada