Lithuania consolidates defence procurement in one system

All procurements by Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence have been carried out through a single system since September 1, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said on Thursday, LRT reported. He said the change would allow data to be organised and analysed more quickly, although the ministry is still looking for specialists.

“All procurements have been planned in one system since September 1; previously, they were scattered,” Kaunas said after meeting members of the Liberal Movement parliamentary group.

He said the system would make it possible to analyse procurement more effectively and collect orderly data. The Defence Resources Agency is also being reformed, with procedures being changed, procurement accelerated and additional procurement and defence specialists sought.

Kaunas said the ministry was looking for several dozen specialists, including procurement experts and defence specialists. Until they are hired, the ministry may ask the armed forces to assign personnel from air defence, land forces and cybersecurity units to help the agency speed up procedures.

Ministry considers longer-range flying radar

Kaunas said additional radars had been integrated to strengthen airspace surveillance, particularly at very low altitudes, following recent air alert and drone incidents. He cautioned that airspace cannot be monitored with complete coverage, but said the country’s capabilities had improved.

A third meeting on acquiring a “flying radar” is scheduled for October. According to Kaunas, the system would continuously patrol near the border and detect potential threats 50 to 100 kilometres beyond the country’s borders.

The minister also said Lithuania had decided not to acquire automated mine-laying capabilities previously proposed by Poland because of insufficient competitiveness. Instead, it had chosen another platform to meet its technical requirements.

He added that Lithuania was continuing to cooperate with Poland on the acquisition and production of mines, including anti-personnel and anti-tank mines.

Uncompleted procurements increased

A State Control audit found that the share of uncompleted arms and military equipment procurements rose from 24 percent in 2023 to 59 percent last year.

Auditors attributed the increase to changing requirements, unprepared operational specifications, suppliers failing to submit offers on time and prices that contracting authorities considered unacceptable.

The audit also found that decision-making for some procurements took too long. In 42 percent of the procurements reviewed, coordination with advisory institutions took between 30 and 374 days, while the recommended maximum duration for an entire international procurement is 180 to 240 calendar days.