The Slovenian Army, in collaboration with a consortium of local defense industry companies led by Valhalla Turrets, has successfully conducted the inaugural test firing of the Mangart 25 air defense turret system. The Mangart 25 is a lightweight, remotely controlled air defence turret system integrated on a LKOV Perun 4×4 (local designation for 4×4 Oshkosh Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). This innovative project, led by Valhalla Turrets from Ljubljana, represents a significant milestone in Slovenian engineering. Funded by the Ministry of Defence, the successful initial test firing marks the beginning of a series of developmental activities and extensive testing aimed at obtaining the necessary certifications for operational deployment within the Slovenian Army.
The Mangart 25 is designed as a complex mechatronic system that enables vehicle crews to conduct various tactical operations, including surveillance, target data collection, and kinetic actions. Equipped with a 25mm cannon, a 7.62mm machine gun, AESA radar, and an electro-optical tracking and aiming device, the system is capable of engaging drones, other aerial vehicles, and ground targets at distances up to 3000 meters. The Mangart 25 project is a collaborative effort involving several Slovenian companies: Valhalla Turrets, ASH, Guardiaris, Carboteh Technologies, and Leokom. Under the consortium agreement, Valhalla Turrets will lead the project, managing negotiations, communications with clients, and deal finalizations.
Scheduled for completion within 24 months, the project aims to develop a technological model of a lightweight remote-controlled air defense system. The modular design of the weapon station allows for easy integration onto other Slovenian Armed Forces vehicles and can be equipped with different caliber weapons and additional subsystems, such as laser warning systems, acoustic shot sensors, anti-tank guided missiles, surface-to-air missiles, drones, or AI algorithms for target detection, recognition, and tracking. The technological model will include a flight detector alarm simulator for anti-aircraft missile detectors, developed and manufactured in Slovenia. Additionally, the project will produce a digital twin, trainer, and simulator for the remote-controlled air defense system.
Funding for the Mangart 25 project comes from the Slovenian Armed Forces‘ “Research and Development” budget for the years 2023, 2024, and 2025. The project is valued at €4,028,237.71. The contract involves a consortium of Slovenian defense industry companies, each bringing unique expertise to the table. This project not only enhances the competitive position of the Slovenian defense industry in the global market but also strengthens Slovenia’s defense research, industrial, and technological base. Successful execution of the Mangart 25 project will open opportunities for the Slovenian defense industry to participate in joint European development projects and equip the medium battalion battle group and the medium reconnaissance battalion with air defense capabilities.
