Slovak Army Adopts New Small Arms and Uniforms VZOR 25

Slovakia has presented a completely updated set of individual small arms for military personnel.

Along with the new weapons, the country’s military leadership demonstrated the new VZOR 25 military uniform.

Slovak Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kaliniak also demonstrated new individual equipment, including body armor, plate carriers, helmets, shoes and unloading systems, reports Future Army.

The Ministry of Defense is the owner of the uniform design, and Slovak companies provide tailoring services.

“The cost of providing one basic set is 300 euros,” the minister said.

According to him, this kit may additionally include, in particular, winter jackets and waterproof clothing.

Small arms

During the event, four servicemen paraded in a full set of new equipment and with new small arms, which made it possible to visually assess the scale of the upgrade.

The new standardized weapons are to completely replace Soviet-style individual small arms, including the ČZ vz. 82 pistol and the vz. 58.

The Slovak company Grand Power was chosen as the main supplier of small arms.

The standard assault rifle is the Grand Power M4M chambered for 5.56×45 mm with a barrel length of 14.5 or 11.5 inches.

For the role of infantry sniper rifle, the GP R10 model chambered for 7.62×51 mm was chosen to replace the Soviet SVD. The STRIBOG AP9 A3 was selected as the short-range weapon, and a new standard pistol was approved.

According to Kaliniak, the rearmament program will cost approximately €82 million. The army will receive new weapons gradually. The Ministry of Defense expects the first deliveries next year, and the program will be completed in 2028. At the same time, the Armed Forces will not abandon the vz. 58 assault rifles that are currently in service: they will be stored in warehouses in case of a military conflict.