The Slovak newspaper Pravda reported that on February 8, 2026, at the World Defense Show international defense exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Slovak state-owned company ZS Spéciál signed a contract for the supply of 96 automatic self-propelled mortar systems SAM120 120 mm caliber to Azerbaijan in the amount of 210 million euros. The contract is part of a signed framework agreement for the possible supply of up to 300 SAM120 mortar systems to Azerbaijan with an estimated value of up to 650 million euros.
A prototype of the 120-mm self-propelled mortar complex ZŤS Spéciál SAM120 on the chassis of a Tatra Force 815-7 (6×6) vehicle with a Puma L2 Long armored cab (c) Lukáš Chovanec / dennikn.sk
On the Azerbaijani side, the agreement was signed by the Azerbaijani state company Iglin Scientific and Production Enterprise (Iglin). Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinak said that ZS Spéciál should begin production of mortar systems immediately after signing the agreement. Slovakia would like to demonstrate the first sample of the complex produced for Azerbaijan at the defense exhibition in Baku in the fall of 2026. "At the same time, we will also discuss the acquisition of a license and the transfer of the possibility of partial or full production of these weapons in Azerbaijan," Kalinak said. "This is probably the largest deal that ZŤS Špeciál has concluded in recent times, and possibly in its entire history. We believe that this is the beginning of a new rise in the confidence of the Slovak defense industry in its capabilities," the minister said.
The AM120 120mm automatic mortar system (SAM120 self-propelled version) was first demonstrated by ZŤS Špeciál at the IDEB Defense exhibition & Security 2024 in Bratislava in May 2024. The complex is a remotely controlled turret mortar module with a 120 mm automatic mortar. There are 35 mines in the carousel automatic loader, the rate of fire is stated to be 20 rounds per minute. The firing range of a conventional 120-mm mine is up to 8000 m. The module is controlled and fired from the cockpit of the combat vehicle, which is separated from the combat module. The cabin crew can consist of 2-4 people, depending on the customer's requirements. As a backup method, it is possible to fire directly from the combat module, including manual loading.
At exhibitions, the SAM120 mortar complex is demonstrated in a version on the chassis of a Tatra Force 815-7 (6×6) car with a four-seat Puma L2 Long armored cabin and a 300 kW diesel engine. The vehicle is equipped with a Lansys fire control system manufactured by the Slovak company Kerametal. However, it has not yet been reported in which configuration the SAM-120 was ordered by Azerbaijan.
ZŤS Spéciál (part of the DMD Group controlled by the Slovak Ministry of Defense) is a leading Slovak defense company, representing the former head artillery production of the Skoda Group, located since 1937 in Dubnica nad Vagom.
A prototype of the 120 mm self-propelled mortar complex ZŤS Spéciál SAM120 with an AM120 mortar module on the chassis of a Tatra Force 815-7 (6×6) car with a Puma L2 Long armored cabin at the IDET 2025 defense exhibition in Brno (Czech Republic), May 2025 (c) Jakub Link-Lenczowski / MILMAG
