RIYADH, Saudi Arabia : Azerbaijan has concluded a €210 million defense procurement agreement for 96 SAM120 120-mm automatic self-propelled mortar systems from Slovakia, formalizing the deal on February 8, 2026, during the World Defense Show in Riyadh.
The contract represents the first tranche under a broader bilateral framework agreement that provides for the potential delivery of up to 300 SAM120 systems. If fully exercised, the framework agreement would carry an estimated total value of approximately €650 million.
Contracting Parties and Industrial Structure
The agreement was signed on behalf of Azerbaijan by the state-owned Iglin Research and Production Enterprise. The Slovak side was represented by Miroslav Šim, Director of ZTS Special, the company responsible for manufacturing the systems. ZTS Special, based in Dubnica nad Váhom, operates within the DMD Group, a state-owned industrial group overseen by the Slovak Ministry of Defence.
Production Timeline and Delivery Outlook
Following the signing, Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák confirmed that production of the mortars will begin immediately. According to the Slovak Ministry of Defence, the first completed SAM120 system intended for Azerbaijan is scheduled to be unveiled in autumn 2026 at a defense exhibition in Baku.
Officials from both countries have also discussed options for deeper industrial cooperation beyond the initial deliveries. These talks have included the possibility of localized assembly, licensed production, or other forms of industrial participation to support the development of Azerbaijan’s domestic defense manufacturing capabilities. No binding commitments on localization have been announced.
System Description and Capabilities
The SAM120 is the self-propelled variant of the 120-mm AM120 automatic mortar system. The AM120 was first publicly presented at the IDEB Defence & Security exhibition in Bratislava in May 2024.
The system features a remotely operated turret and an automatic carousel loader with a capacity of 35 rounds. It is designed to be operated by a crew of two to four personnel. The mortar has a standard firing range of up to 8 kilometers and is capable of sustaining a rate of fire of up to 20 rounds per minute. Automation is intended to reduce crew workload and improve responsiveness during fire missions.
Configuration and Integration Options
The specific technical configuration ordered by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces has not been disclosed publicly. In previous demonstrations, the AM120 has been shown mounted on a Tatra Force 815-7 (6×6) chassis. The demonstrator configuration included a four-seat Puma L2 Long armored cab, a 300-kilowatt diesel engine, and an integrated fire control solution supplied by the Slovak defense company Kerametal under the Lansys system brand.
While this configuration provides an indication of the platform’s intended integration approach, procurement officials have not confirmed whether Azerbaijan will adopt the same chassis, cab protection level, or fire control architecture for its production systems.
Broader Context
The contract adds to Azerbaijan’s ongoing efforts to modernize its indirect fire capabilities through the acquisition of automated and mobile artillery systems. For Slovakia, the deal represents one of the largest recent export orders for domestically produced mortar systems and reinforces ZTS Special’s position within the European land systems market.
No delivery schedule beyond the 2026 presentation milestone has been publicly released, and further details on follow-on orders under the framework agreement are expected to depend on subsequent negotiations and operational evaluations.
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