SAM120

SAM120
TypeSelf-propelled mortar
Place of originSlovakia
Service history
Used by Azerbaijan
Production history
ManufacturerZŤS Špeciál
Produced2026-present
No. built0/96
Specifications
Crew2 (driver and gunner/commander)
Caliber120 mm
ElevationFrom +40° to +80°
Traverse360°
Rate of fire20 rounds per minute
Effective firing range504 - 8200 meters
Maximum speed90 km/h

SAM120 (short for Slovak Automatic Mortar with a caliber of 120 mm)[1] is a Slovak self-propelled mortar developed by ZŤS Špeciál, from the Czechoslovak self propelled mortar Vz.85 ShM-120 PRAM-S.[2]

The SAM120 is designed to destroy enemy firepower, light equipment and personnel that are hidden in trenches or light field shelters.

Unveiling and Development

An initial prototype, named AM120, based on a Tatra 815-7 6×6 chassis with a Puma armoured cabin, was presented in May 2024 at IDEB in Bratislava. The initial prototype that was presented could carry up to 60 rounds.[3]

The next prototype, presented at IDET 2025 in Brno, featured a reworked loading system and could only carry 35 rounds, but this allowed the mortar to be mounted on an even wider variety of platforms including a 4×4 chassis.[4] It was renamed to SAM120 as well.[3]

Design

The mortar can be installed on a wide variety of platforms which is one of the advantages of this vehicle.[1] Immediately after firing, the vehicle can move quickly and avoid return fire thanks to its high top speed of 90 km/h.[3] Another advantage of the mortar is its very high rate of fire of up to 20 rounds per minute.[5]

The mortar's elevation range is from +40° to +80°, with a horizontal traverse of 360° (fully rotatable turret). It's minimum range is 504 meters and the maximum range with standard 120 mm mortar ammunition is 8,200 meters and thanks to a high degree of automation, the crew only consists of two, a driver and a gunner or a commander, though at the request of the customer, the crew can consist of up to four.[3]

The vehicle was designed in such a way that firing is conducted primarily remotely from the armoured cabin, which is separate from the mortar's automated turret. If necessary, firing can also be conducted directly from the turret, which is equipped with a fully-featured manual control system. The Lansys AM120 fire-control system is manufactured by the Slovak company Kerametal.

Operators

Future operators

 Azerbaijan (96 on order)
In February of 2026, the Slovak Minster of Defence approved a framework agreement with Azerbaijan for around 300 SAM120 mortars. The first part of this agreement consists of an order for 96 mortars. The agreement was signed at the World Defense Show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "SAM120". www.ztsspecial.sk. Retrieved 2026-06-25.
  2. ^ ArmadniNoviny.cz. "300 slovenských samohybných minometů SAM120 pro Ázerbájdžán". Armádní noviny (in Czech). Retrieved 2026-06-25.
  3. ^ a b c d "Najväčší obchod štátnej zbrojovky. V Rijáde uzavrela zmluvu na mínomety za stovky miliónov". Pravda.sk (in Slovak). 2026-02-08. Retrieved 2026-06-25.
  4. ^ "Najväčší obchod štátnej zbrojovky. V Rijáde uzavrela zmluvu na mínomety za stovky miliónov". Pravda.sk (in Slovak). 2026-02-08. Retrieved 2026-06-25.
  5. ^ Tomáš, Viktor (2024-05-16). "Premiéra nového slovenského samohybného mínometu AM120". Future Army (in Slovak). Retrieved 2026-06-25.
  6. ^ "Azerbaijan Finalizes Purchase of Up to 300 Slovak SAM-120 Self-Propelled Mortars Despite Vulnerability Concerns | Defense Express". en.defence-ua.com. Retrieved 2026-06-25.

Manufacturer's page for the SAM120

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