Slovakia's military testing institute hit by explosion, casualties unclear

An explosion occurred at the Military Technical and Testing Institute Záhorie, located in western Slovakia. The incident triggered an immediate response from emergency services.

Slovakian emergency services spokeswoman Danka Tsapakova, confirmed the explosion and stated that ambulances, along with a medical rescue helicopter, were dispatched to the site of the explosion, Caliber.Az reports per Slovak media. 

The military facility is located in the western part of the country, though no further details on the cause of the explosion or the extent of any casualties have been provided at this time.

Authorities are currently investigating the incident, and more information is expected to be released as the situation develops.

The Military Technical and Testing Institute Záhorie, established in 1923, serves as a key development and testing facility for the Slovak Ministry of Defence. Specializing in the testing of military armaments and machinery for the ground forces, the institute has a long history of contributing to the development of defense technologies.

During the 1970s and 1980s, the institute underwent significant expansion and modernization, adding new testing facilities and improving existing infrastructure. Before the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, the institute primarily met the needs of the military forces and the weapons industry.

Following the formation of the Slovak Republic, the institute evolved into one of the Ministry of Defence's key research and development entities. It now focuses on the development and testing of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, continuing to provide critical support to the Slovak armed forces.

The institute is an accredited testing laboratory, specializing in evaluating the safety and effectiveness of defense-related materials. It is also authorized to conduct conformity assessments with technical requirements and to classify dangerous goods and explosives in accordance with the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.

Furthermore, the institute has implemented a robust quality management system, ensuring that its operations meet high standards of efficiency and safety in the development and testing of military technologies.

By Vafa Guliyeva