Germany Delivers More Slovak Zuzana-2 Howitzers to Ukraine

Oh! Zuzana-2, Don’t you cry for me.

A Slovak Ground Forces Zuzana 2 155mm howitzer fires a projectile during a US-Slovak live-fire exercise at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, November 30, 2021. Slovak Ground Force’s 21st self-propelled howitzer battalion trained with NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Poland artillery assets to build combat readiness ahead of their movement to NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia. The battalion will join other multinational forces as part of the Canadian-led Battle Group in support of the NATO alliance. (US Army photo by Pfc. Jacob Bradford) Public domain.

Last week, Germany’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that three additional Slovak-made Zuzana-2 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers have been delivered to Ukraine.

It is another reminder that while the headlines may focus on tanks and jets, this war is often won by the relentless rhythm of artillery. These three new units bring the total number of Zuzana-2 systems sent to Ukraine to nine, with more still to come.

It is part of a broader, meticulously coordinated European effort that began back in 2022, when Germany, Denmark, and Norway signed a trilateral deal to finance the production of 16 Zuzana-2s specifically for Ukraine.

At the time, the Ukrainian military was screaming for more long-range artillery, and the European partners answered by leveraging Slovakia’s industrial capacity to fill the gap. The total package came to around €92 million, split between the three countries.

In simple terms, Slovakia builds the guns, and Germany, Denmark, and Norway pick up the tab. It is a smart model for collective defense procurement, especially when speed matters more than politics.

Rather than funnel weapons through endless national parliaments or bureaucratic…