Founded 1990 | ||
ZTS OSOS, previously known as ZTS OZOS, is an armaments company. ZTS, which was founded in 1990, has its headquarters in Vrútky, Slovakia.
Angolagate
French tax authorities began investigating the company in 1996 over two alleged arms deals to the Angolan government in 1993 and 1994 in connection with the Angolagate scandal. The company's management denies that it has ties to Pierre Falcone's Brenco International and that the company sold armaments to the Angolan government. However, Falcone and Arcadi Gaydamak are the only people who had access to ZTS's Paribas Bank account in Paris, France in 1994, an account which no longer exists. According to an anonymous expert who spoke with the French press, Falcone went to Colombia, Argentina, Canada, and the United Kingdom on behalf of ZTS. After he partnered with Gaydamak he sold T-62 main battle tanks, artillery, ammunition, and fighter aircraft to the Angolan government worth USD $500 million. The Angolan government paid Falcone and Gaydamak through SONANGOL to the Dutch branch of Coastal Petroleum NV and then to Falcone and Gaydamak's account in Paris.
When Falcone and the Angolan government agreed to the first arms deal, Falcone allegedly signed the contract: "Falcone. ZTS-OSOS-Russian-Angolan Affairs."