Slovak state-owned defence companies are making progress financially, personnel-wise and technology-wise

Over the past three years, DMD GROUP, the state-owned joint stock company with the SVK MOD as its sole stakeholder, has made significant progress financially, personnel-wise and technology-wise. One of the vital factors has been the domestic defence industry's role in the Slovak Armed Forces modernisation programmes. Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď today paid a visit to DMD GROUP to see first-hand the latest innovations in Dubnica nad Váhom.

On Slovak industrial participation in the MOD's equipment plans, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “The Slovak Armed Forcesʼ modernisation must go hand in hand with supporting domestic companies and employment opportunities after years of neglect and stabilisation. Our genuine support has been translated into figures – over the past three years the group of our state-owned companies has more than doubled its sales, reaching over €131m in 2022, whilst increasing the employment levels by more than 15%.”

While in Dubnica nad Váhom, Jaroslav Naď received an update from Director General of DMD GROUP Štefan Škultéty on the state of the projects being undertaken by the Group's daughter companies, including on ZTS - ŠPECIÁL's recent investment in a new chrome plating facility and new assembly spaces for the SVK Army's CV90 tracked infantry fighting vehicles. With a workforce of 612 employees, DMD GROUP has ambitious plans to employ another 250 people in 2023.

Alongside this, DMD GROUP and its companies will invest in green solutions. For example, ZTS - ŠPECIÁL is to install a roof-mounted photovoltaic power system with an output up to 2.9 MW, making its DM5 Hall the first carbon-free workshop in Slovakia. To cut energy costs, the Group also has plans to install a new heat pump and to upgrade its DS37 Hall and lighting systems within its premises.