According to information published by the website "Aktuality.sk" on May 16, 2022, the Slovak Minister of Defense Jaroslav Naď has confirmed that currently, Ukrainian soldiers are training on the Slovak-made Zuzana 2 155mm 8x8 self-propelled howitzer. Slovakia to deliver 8 Zuzana 2 howitzers to Ukraine.
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Slovak Army Zuzana 2 155mm 8x8 self-propelled howitzers. (Picture source Slovak MoD)
Citing information from the Slovak Minister of Defense Jaroslav Naď, Slovakia has not yet signed a contract with Ukraine for the delivery of Zuzana 2 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers, but artillery vehicles are already in production and could be delivered in the next few weeks. Ukraine is expected to receive eight Zuzana 2 howitzers from Slovakia.
In April 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested more weapons from the United States and Europe including artillery systems and ammunition.
On April 9, 2022, Army Recognition reported that Slovakia offered to sell Zuzana 2 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine. This artillery system was developed by the Slovak company Konstrukta Defense and produced by the Slovak company ZTS Defense.
Slovakia has already shown its support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian forces by delivering a Soviet-made S-300 air defense missile system from its own military inventory that was inherited after the break-up of Czechoslovakia in 1993.
The Zuzana 2 is an 8x8 self-propelled howitzer and an upgraded version of the Slovak-made Zuzana 155 mm 45 caliber version of the Dana 152 mm 8x8 wheeled self-propelled howitzer. In 2018, Slovakia ordered 25 Zuzana 2, and the first artillery vehicles were handed over to the Slovak army in July 2021.
The Zuzana 2 is based on TATRA 8×8 modified truck chassis. The main armament consists of one 155mm/52 caliber gun. The gun has a maximum firing range of 41 km with extended range ammunition. This artillery vehicle is fitted with an automatic loading system that enables a maximum firing range in automatic mode of 5 rounds per minute or 5 rounds in one minute.
