The countries of Southeast Asia and the Far East represent promising markets for Central European defense industries, offering the possibility to gain reference customers for their products. Recently, Slovak company Konštrukta – Defence achieved notable success. According to reports, its self-propelled wheeled howitzer, the EVA M2, won the Malaysian army’s tender, marking its first official customer.

Defence-blog.com reported that the EVA M2 howitzer secured the tender for the Malaysian army's new artillery system. The website cites Malaysia Military Review, which shared photos of the Slovak self-propelled 6x6 howitzer on the X network. Media outlets have long speculated on Malaysia’s interest in the EVA M2, and last September, Štefan Škultéty, former head of the state-owned DMD Group, reported on the possible delivery of 18 EVA M2 howitzers to the East Asian nation. Integrating this howitzer into the Malaysian arsenal represents the first major success for the model and would conclude a selection process for new self-propelled artillery systems underway since 2010.

The EVA M2 self-propelled howitzer features a 155mm gun with a 52-caliber barrel length. With a combat weight of approximately 28 tonnes, it is lighter and more maneuverable than the popular Slovak Zuzana 2 howitzer, which weighs nearly 34 tonnes. Malaysia’s choice of the EVA M2 was influenced by its lighter weight and enhanced mobility, as well as its compatibility with a 6x6 chassis—one of the Malaysian army’s key requirements. In August this year, the EVA M2 underwent successful trials, confirming its stability and passing driving tests on difficult terrain such as steep grades and trenches.

The official announcement of the EVA M2 howitzer acquisition was expected at the DSA 2024 trade fair held in Kuala Lumpur in May, where Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák expressed support for the howitzer and the Slovak defense industry. At the event, the Minister highlighted that defense cooperation between Slovakia and Malaysia was strengthening and that a significant contract was near finalization. Malaysian Armed Forces Commander General Tan Sri Dato’ Muhammad Hafizuddeain bin Jantan stated that approval for the purchase of new artillery systems should occur by the end of 2024, pending local government authorization. Current reports indicate that the general’s predictions from May are coming to fruition.

The success of the EVA M2 howitzer in Malaysia, where it outperformed the French Caesar gun in the final bidding round, highlights the competitive strength of the Slovak defense industry. The deployment of Zuzana 2 howitzers in Ukraine serves as further validation, as their real-world performance provides the manufacturer with critical data for refinement. Through this landmark contract with Malaysia, Slovakia also gains an opportunity to expand its presence in the region and to establish vital partnerships that will strengthen both defense capabilities and the Slovak economy.