Military Technical and Testing Institute (“VTSÚ”) Záhorie is an establishment of the Defence Ministry of the Slovak Republic whose principle line of activities includes research and development tasks and testing of weapons, military equipment and material. The VTSÚ performs its duties independently as well as in co-operation with other military technical institutes, military repair facilities, other components of the Slovak Armed Forces, development and manufacturing companies of the Slovak armaments industry. As of 1 January 2004 the VTSÚ became an MoD-funded organisation. As of 1 January 2007 it was transformed into an independent budgetary organisation overseen by the MoD.
Research & Development
In the area of research & development the VTSÚ covers individual development activities and co-ordinates activities among other research organisations in finding development solutions for military technology while permanently adhering to prescribed parameters and guaranteeing quality product verification. The VTSÚ is involved in co-operating with foreign entities with similar areas of activities in international modernisation projects.
Its development activities cover the following areas of activities:
– weaponry, munitions and their components,
– tanks and vehicles,
– engineer equipment,
– instruction and training apparatuses for the army,
– military technical standardisation.
Testing Activities In the area of testing activities the VTSÚ executes:
– management, implementation and evaluation of weapon and ammunition testing,
– ballistic and specialized measurements,
– meteorological measurements,
– chemical stability tests of ammunition and verification of their physical and chemical properties,
– classification and qualification of explosives, weapons and ammunition,
– explosive ordnance disposal activities.
In 2003 the VTSÚ was awarded the Certificate of Accreditation No.S-145 – Weapon, Ammunition and Military Equipment Testing Laboratory. Since 2002 the VTSÚ has been authorised to carry out assessments of product concordance in accordance with the Act No.264/1999 Coll. and 436/2001 Coll. as SKTC-173.
