Slovakia's arms exports surge 139% despite Fico's opposition to military aid for Ukraine - Le Monde
Slovakia's exports of military ammunition and related components rose by nearly 139% in 2025, reaching €2.1 billion, as demand driven by the war in Ukraine and NATO rearmament fuels the country's defense industry, Le Monde reported on October 20.
The expansion comes despite Prime Minister Robert Fico's public opposition to providing military aid to Ukraine.
According to Le Monde, Slovak ammunition factories are increasing production and investing in modern equipment, including an automated production line for 155 mm artillery ammunition in Dubnica nad Váhom.
The country's arms industry includes companies partly owned by the Slovak state. ZVS Holding, a major ammunition manufacturer, is jointly owned by the government and MSM Group, a subsidiary of the Czech defense conglomerate Czechoslovak Group (CSG).
Slovak-made ammunition also reaches Ukraine through commercial contracts and international procurement initiatives, including the Czech-led program under which partner countries finance artillery ammunition purchases for Ukrainian forces.
The initiative has supplied Ukraine with more than 4.4 million large-caliber rounds over two years, according to figures cited in the Ukrainian report.
Demand from Ukraine and NATO countries replenishing their own stockpiles has helped transform Slovakia into a growing European ammunition production hub.
The expansion has also benefited CSG, whose revenue increased from €570 million in 2020 to €6.7 billion, according to the report.
While Fico has opposed state-funded military assistance to Kyiv, Slovakia's defense industry continues to benefit commercially from European demand for weapons and ammunition.
The €2.1 billion export figure covers military ammunition and related products sold to various customers, not exclusively Ukraine.