Slovenia’s DOVOS Launches Public Call to Boost Domestic Defense Capabilities
The newly established Slovenian defense company DOVOS has launched a national call for companies to express non-binding interest in defense, security, and resilience projects. The initiative aims to strengthen Slovenia’s defense industrial base.
Slovenia’s newly formed state-owned defense company DOVOS (Družba za obrambo, varnost in odpornost d.o.o.) has opened a public call for non-binding expressions of interest from companies looking to develop or expand production in the defense, security, and resilience sectors.
The call, published on October 24, 2025, invites domestic and international companies — including consortiums with Slovenian partners — to propose projects that enhance national defense capabilities, industrial self-sufficiency, and strategic resilience. Applications are open until December 22, 2025, via email at poziv@dovos.si.
DOVOS operates under the ownership of the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SDH), with its mandate rooted in strategic government documents such as the Resolution on the Long-Term Development and Armament Program of the Slovenian Armed Forces until 2040 (ReDPROSV40-1) and the Defense Industry and Technology Base Development Strategy.
According to the official call, DOVOS seeks potential co-investment opportunities in companies or projects aligned with national and EU-NATO priorities. The investment may take the form of capital participation, joint ventures, or project companies.
Key Objectives
The call aims to:
- Strengthen domestic production and maintenance capacities in the defense sector.
- Accelerate industrialization of R&D solutions and their market application.
- Encourage partnerships between industry, research institutions, and innovators to foster technology transfer and collaboration within European defense programs.
Strategic Priority Areas
DOVOS identified seven priority areas for potential investment:
- Dual-use and resilience technologies – including CBRN protection, advanced materials, energy systems, and semiconductor technologies.
- Unmanned systems and counter-UAS solutions – covering aerial, land, and maritime platforms.
- Mobility and logistics infrastructure – such as military vehicles, training ranges, and host-nation support facilities.
- Cybersecurity, AI, and digital technologies – focusing on secure communication, encryption, and quantum tools.
- Filling critical capability gaps – including domestic ammunition production and testing facilities.
- Air and missile defense systems, radar, and sensor technology.
- Space and satellite communications – including domestic production of satellite components and data services.
Eligibility
The call is open to:
- Companies based in Slovenia,
- Consortiums with foreign partners (led by a Slovenian company), and
- New ventures proposing viable, strategically aligned projects.
Proposals must demonstrate a clear market potential, a sustainable business model, and alignment with Slovenia’s strategic defense priorities.
DOVOS emphasizes that this is a non-binding and exploratory phase, designed to map existing and potential industrial capacities before formal investment procedures are launched. Following the review of submissions, the company plans to define evaluation criteria and proceed to the next stage — a formal public tender or investment call.
The initiative marks one of the most concrete steps in Slovenia’s recent defense-industrial strategy, signaling a stronger state role in building a resilient, modern, and export-capable defense ecosystem.
Contact for applications:
poziv@dovos.si
Deadline: December 22, 2025
DOVOS d.o.o., Mala ulica 5, 1000 Ljubljana
Director: Matej Špragar
