Lithuania seeks joint drone production with Ukraine

Lithuania is seeking to produce unmanned aircraft for Ukraine through joint investment and manufacturing, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said, according to LRT.

The initiative would implement an agreement signed with Ukraine in May to cooperate in the defence industry. Kaunas said changes were being made within the ministry’s team to turn the agreement into practical measures and localise Ukrainian drone production in Lithuania.

“The goal would be joint production in Lithuania for Ukraine’s needs,” Kaunas told Verslo žinios.

He said Lithuania would manufacture the drones using technology purchased from Ukraine. The arrangement would support Lithuania’s defence industry while giving the country access to new technology and additional production capacity, he said.

“First, we ensure our own security, have the technology, can develop it together and gain additional production capabilities,” Kaunas said.

Elijus Čivilis, head of the Invest Lithuania agency, previously told BNS that several Ukrainian defence industry investors had received approval from a government commission that reviews strategic transactions for activity in Lithuania.

In June, Kaunas invited Luxuav, a Ukrainian drone manufacturer based in Luxembourg, to come to Lithuania for testing.