The conflict in Ukraine has shown that nuclear power plants, airports, and waterworks are targets that require active protection. Zetor inžiniering Slovensko has introduced an approach that combines detection with the rapid and precise neutralization of threats. The focus is a modular ground platform with various weapon modules and autonomous elements.
Why protect critical infrastructure today
According to Radovan Manix, it is not enough just to be able to detect a threat; the ability to respond to it effectively is also crucial. The company therefore integrates a “kinetic effect” directly onto a mobile platform so that attacks can be quickly eliminated around protected sites. The aim is to combine area surveillance with flexible fire support that covers a spectrum from drones to heavier targets.
The Gerlach 4×4 vehicle can carry a 30 mm cannon, anti-tank guided missiles, and, as needed, a pair of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. A key feature is programmable ammunition, which allows precise tailoring of effects against drones or “soft” targets. The turret can be supplemented with a coaxial machine gun or interchangeable grenade launchers, increasing the flexibility of deployment.
Testing and validating capabilities
The team conducted eight days of live-fire trials in Norway with a foreign partner, verifying the effects of various types of ammunition. Testing was carried out at different distances, including approximately 230, 950 and 1 600 meters, and penetration as well as fragmentation effects on various targets were documented. The result is a dataset intended to confirm the real effectiveness of the turret under conditions resembling field deployment.
Alongside live-fire trials, mobility tests are also underway: trench crossing, gradeability, side slopes, and various obstacles. The vehicle has been undergoing long-term verification in certified laboratories within NATO, including facilities in Germany and the Czech Republic. The company emphasizes that test protocols and met standards are the foundation for deployment in infrastructure protection.
Modularity, partnerships, and autonomous solutions
The concept is built on a unified chassis to which different modules can be mounted depending on the mission. The crew and dismount configuration is adaptable, with protection enhanced by remote-controlled turrets or the integration of guided missiles. The logistical role is also proven in practice: towing a 120 mm mortar or a D-30 gun, which shows that traditional artillery has not lost its relevance.
The company announces cooperation with domestic and foreign manufacturers of turrets and weapon systems, and a memorandum of cooperation for the Middle East region. In parallel, it is developing autonomous elements, including the smaller BAK system, which can “parasitically” attach to the carrier vehicle and suspend itself autonomously within 30 seconds. The combination of modularity and autonomy is intended to simplify deployment and shorten reaction time in the protection of critical infrastructure.
